linux-kernel - Re: [RFC][Patch] IBM Real-Time "SMI Free" mode drive -v2

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Message-ID: <1261004964.21028.521.camel@laptop>
Date:	Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:09:24 +0100
From:	Peter Zijlstra <peterz@...radead.org>
To:	Keith Mannthey <kmannth@...ibm.com>
Cc:	lkml <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>,
	John Stultz <johnstul@...ibm.com>
Subject: Re: [RFC][Patch] IBM Real-Time "SMI Free" mode drive -v2

On Tue, 2009-12-15 at 12:09 -0800, Keith Mannthey wrote:
> This driver supports the Real-Time Linux (RTL) BIOS feature.  The RTL
> feature allows non-fatal System Management Interrupts (SMIs) to be
> disabled on supported IBM platforms. 
> 
> 
> The Device is presented as a special "_rtl_" table to the OS in the
> Extended BIOS Data Area.  There is a simple protocol for entering and
> exiting the mode at runtime.  This driver creates a simple sysfs
> interface to allow a simple entry and exit from RTL mode in the
> UFI/BIOS. 

Why not simply always run with these non-fatal SMIs disabled and provide
their function through the OS proper?

That way you don't need no silly switches and gain consistent platform
behaviour.

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