U39648@uicvm.uic.edu (From The Mind Of) (05/08/91)
>I'm currently using OS/2 1.3 on my PS/2 model 60 (10 Mhz 80286). A while >back I had a loaner AOX busmaster 25 Mhz 80386 card in my machine. OS/2 >1.3 handled this fine. I ended up with a machine about 2.5 times faster >than the original, with an 80386 processor. > >We are making our capital requests for new equipment now. I'm thinking >of purchasing this AOX card so that I can run OS/2 2.0 when it comes out. >Purchasing the card is cheaper than a whole new machine, though not >much. #8-( > >I've heard all the neat things about OS/2 2.0, how it runs MS-DOS, MS-Windows, >and OS/2 apps all together, etc. However, I haven't heard anything about >multiple processor support. So I have a few questions: > >1) Does OS/2 2.0 recognize when there is more than one CPU in a machine? The OS/2 2.0 beta (6.123) does not do anything special if an Aox MicroMASTER adapter is installed. >2) If it sees more than one CPU, then does it take advantage of them all? >3) If it uses the other CPUs, exactly how are they used. Is the 286 used > mainly for screen and other I/O control, while the 386 is used for > applications and the OS? Does the 286 and 386 both run applications? > Can we control which application runs on which CPU, or does OS/2 > dynamically balance the load between the two CPUs? No, OS/2 is oblivious to the fact that there's still an 80286 in your system. >4) I also have an 80287 math coprocessor, but I won't be getting the 80387 > coprocessor for the AOX card. (I don't do a lot of work that requires > the coprocessor). Will OS/2 2.0 recognize the 287 and take advantage > of it? I realize that a 10 Mhz 287 probably is about the same speed as > a 25 Mhz 386 emulating the coprocessor, but it would still be nice > if OS/2 used it. If you have the Aox MicroMASTER selected, the 80286/80287 is not seen by your software. Only the 386/387 or 486 are seen by the system. Let me make a few points: OS/2 2.0 beta (6.123) runs just fine on Aox MicroMASTER adapters, all 16-bit (OS/2 1.x) and 32-bit (OS/2 2.x) code appears to run. The DOS boxes DO NOT RUN CORRECTLY ON THIS RELEASE with Aox MicroMASTER adapters. Some tinkering has to be done to even get a functioning DOS box to appear, and it's fairly easy to find a DOS application that makes the entire system crash. From what I've heard, IBM knows about this and since Aox is a business partner they will probably not be left out in the cold. As for multi-processing with Aox MicroMASTER adapters, it can be done. Currently, the only means to do so is with the Aox OS/Master program. It allows the motherboard CPU to run one operating system, and the CPU on the MicroMASTER to run another. Commercial appliations include running a joint OS/2 LAN Server/Manager and Novell Netware server, or as mundane as two isolated DOS machines in one box. OS/Master requires the Aox MicroMASTER 386-33MHz or the Aox MicroMASTER 486-25MHz adapter, and does NOT run on the 386-20/25MHz versions. - Darius ========================================================================= BITNET: U39648@UICVM | "I'd rather laugh with the sinners Internet: u39648@uicvm.uic.edu | than cry with the saints, ====================================| the sinners are much more fun, "Don't set fire to strangers." | and only the good die young." - Mr. Zarniwoop | - Billy Joel