SCO SMP 2

[Pilot1]

Installed SCO 5.0.6 on Dell Server. All went fine. Dell is a dual processor unit. I then installed Enterprise, User, and SMP Licenses. All ok. I then noticed on our old server (had dual processors and SCO 5.0.4) that in custom there was a package installed called SCO Symmetrical Multiprocessing (ver 1.1.0Eb). Do I need a package for 5.0.6? I notice that cpusar or mpsar are not available.

Thanks once again

Pilot1

 

[pcunix]

You have to install the SMP software. It's on your original install CD
Tony Lawrence
SCO Unix/Linux Resources

http://pcunix.com

tony@pcunix.com

 

[Pilot1]

I guess that is pretty obvious, thanks once again!

Pilot1

 

[pcunix]

Don't beat yourself up too hard. After all, it's pretty strange that it lets you license add'l cpu's without the software installed- that's why people get caught by this regularly.
Tony Lawrence
SCO Unix/Linux Resources

http://pcunix.com

tony@pcunix.com

 

[Pilot1]

OK, One more question Tony. Taking a look a the SMP Package on the CD, I am presented with serveral choices of drivers and software to install. I'm installing on a Dell 4400 Server. I have Dual P-III's 1.0gb. I have scoured Dell, Caldera, and your site for specific instructions on SMP installation procedure until my eyes are ready to fall out! Is there any source info out there you know of that would take me through this? Once again thanks! in advance!

Pilot1

 

[pcunix]

You'd back off (uninstall any minor supplements, then take out RS506A, install the SMP, and then reinstall RS506A an then any minor supplements.

Thart's the general idea. Unfortunately, historically SMP hasn't always played well with supplements, and sometimes you end up with a non-working system or a system that runs more slowly than without it. This is obviously not ALWAYS the case, and probably has more to do with specific hardware than anything else, but it happens often enough that all of us who do this stuff professionally groan inwardly when someone wants to install SMP- especially since it's a rare circumstance when it will do you a bit of good anyway.

Let me digress on that just a little for the benefit of those who may stumble across this thread later: if you are not seeing a run queue consistently over 1 there is nothing SMP can do for you. Even if you are seeing runq a bit over 1, it may not help because SMP has its own overhead so you can just break even or be worse off. Cache coherency and cpu affinity are complex, difficult subjects- I can recommend a good book:

http://pcunix.com/Books/smp.html

Very often, the money spent on SMP hardware and software would be better spent on the drive subsystem and more memory. That's of course a statement that is highly dependent on circumstances, but I can tell you that I've seen quite a few SMP machines that were a waste of money.

Not always, of course

Tony Lawrence
SCO Unix/Linux Resources

http://pcunix.com

tony@pcunix.com

 

[Pilot1]

That is exactly why I stopped right where I was! I called Dell and they don't have a clue on which drivers to use. Right now, when I run sar the system Idle time is running as high as 92% Idle on Average during our highest load times. We are getting superb results the way we are sitting right now. So maybe it's best to "let the sleeping dog lay!" I have not applied any supplements yet to my 5.0.6 install. Is it worth worrying about?

Thanks! Pilot1

 

[pcunix]

Supplements are absolutely worth worrying about, yes. You definitely need the RS506A from ftp://ftp.caldera.com/pub/openserver5/README.OSR5.Supplements

The minor supplements are important if you have the software/hardware/circumstance they refer to.

I'm not sure what you mean by "which drivers" to use..

As to idle, even if you were 0% idle, that wouldn't mean that SMP would help you. The determining factor is the run queue; having more than 1 process ready to run at any given time. That is available from sar and from "w". If you don't have more than 1 process in the queue regularly another CPU is useless.

Tony Lawrence
SCO Unix/Linux Resources

http://pcunix.com

tony@pcunix.com

 

[Pilot1]

When I open up the SMP package in custom there are about 10 or more items listed, some ending in the word driver, plus other items. I'll paste the menu here:

SCO Symmetrical Multiprocessing Support (ver 1.1.1Ga)
Component Shared Control
Component Client Control
SMP base files
a15k Driver
apic Driver
atpr Driver
attack Driver
cbp Driver

There are more items listed below this, but this is a good example. I assume I would have to choose one or more of these drivers and software items? But which ones?

I'll keep an eye on the run queue this week and see how things go.

Thanks! Pilot1

 

[pcunix]

No, you just install the SMP package- don't drill into it.

No wonder you baffled the poor folks at Compaq Tony Lawrence
SCO Unix/Linux Resources

http://pcunix.com

tony@pcunix.com

 

[Pilot1]

OK, Sunday I installed the SMP package, and all went well. As you said, I probably wouldn't notice much of a gain in performance, and you were right. I am monitoring mpsar -w closely and the server is hardly being taxed. I was instructed to purchase enough server horsepower in case we decide to jump over to Windows 2000 (if there is such a thing!) I found your information very helpful Tony, and wanted to extend my sincere thanks. I found your site to be a great reference tool! pcunix.com I also wanted to convey my gratitude to this forum! I'm glad I found it!

Pilot1