Re: [Linux-ia64] Re: IA-64 XFree86 (was: XFree 4.0.1 module loading)

Mark Vojkovich
2000-08-22T02:38:26Z

On Mon, 21 Aug 2000, David Mosberger wrote:

> >>>>> On Mon, 21 Aug 2000 12:34:11 -0700 (PDT), Mark Vojkovich <mvojkovich@valinux.com> said:
>
> Mark> 1) Firmware issues that prevent the X-server from working
> Mark> reliably with SMP (even lspci locks up in the SAL code).
>
> As Bill already pointed out, we have seen any problems since we fixed
> /proc/bus/pci/devices not to overwrite kernel memory. We have a
> dual-CPU BigSur here which runs X fine and lspci doesn't crash the
> machine. The quick and dirty hack is to use 16KB page size.

OK, that's good news. I'll get somebody to update the kernel
on my dual-CPU BigSur and give it a try.

> Mark> 2) No mechanism for the X-server to write combine memory and
> Mark> no discussions on adding this to Linux as far as I can tell.
> Mark> There needs to be a new flag to open() or mmap(). There
> Mark> aren't any MTRRs.
>
> Linus already agreed that it would be OK to add additional mmap()
> flags to indicate the memory attribute (normal vs. write-combine
> vs. uncached). Walt says a patch to do this was developed as part of
> the XFree86 4.0 work at VA and promised to send me a patch. I don't
> think I have received such a patch, but I'd be happy to merge it
> in. ;-)

That Walt is a funny guy. I'll make sure to give him a swift kick
in the ass tomorrow. God knows he deserves it.

MArk.