The MP-aware kernel can be configured to run on a proper subset of the
processors, allowing another OS (or another Linux kernel) to run on the
remainder. Communication between the two is by normal network protocols.
The interesting case that occurred to me would be if another OS such
as the Microsoft one also had this capability, so that a Linux-based
database server (for example) was accessible by a client user interface
running the Microsoft OS. If may be that the client OS only would have
to be MP-unaware, so that the existing Microsoft Windows 95, running
on a single OS, would talk TCP/IP to another host which just happened
to be on the same mobo. You would use the running Linux incarnation,
rather than the bios, to boot the client OS.
I guess the (or a) downside is that that could give new life to an
obsolete proprietary OS. And also impact on wine.
--Mike
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