Processor Sets

Processor Sets

IRIX 5.2 and above support the concept of processor sets. You can partition the CPUs of a system into multiple, possibly overlapping sets. Then you can

assign a set of processors to work on a specific scheduling queue, for example the real-time queue, or the gang-scheduling queue
assign certain processes to run on a specified processor set
run a UNIX command on a specified processor set (if the command is a shell, commands started from that shell run on the same processor set)

The use of kernel scheduling queues, priorities, and processor sets is covered in more detail in Chapter 6, "Controlling CPU Workload,". When a real-time application requires only a fraction of the system's power, these tools may be sufficient to ensure the needed performance. For more critical applications, you need to replace the kernel scheduler with the Frame Scheduler (see "REACT/Pro Frame Scheduler").