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

From: Peter Zijlstra
Date: Wed Dec 16 2009 - 18:10:19 EST


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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