Multicore Requires OS Rework, Windows Expert Says

alphadogg writes "With chip makers continuing to increase the number of cores they include on each new generation of their processors, perhaps it's time to rethink the basic architecture of today's operating systems, suggested Dave Probert, a kernel architect within the Windows core operating systems division at Microsoft. The current approach to harnessing the power of multicore processors is complicated and not entirely successful, he argued. The key may not be in throwing more energy into refining techniques such as parallel programming, but rather rethinking the basic abstractions that make up the operating systems model. Today's computers don't get enough performance out of their multicore chips, Probert said. 'Why should you ever, with all this parallel hardware, ever be waiting for your computer?' he asked. Probert made his presentation at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Universal Parallel Computing Research Center."

Comments

Re:That kernel architect

[SilverEyes]

is Probertly right.

is Probertly right?

Re: This is new?

[ftide]

It isn't.

Multicore has been with us for over a decade now. It is practical and conducive to build open cores from class declaration up so methods, file types and handlers exist between architectures and at same time there's decoupling of needed resources as processes.

To point the way to what exists now there's Yellow Dog Linux for both Macintosh and Apple's PPC platform:

http://www.yellowdoglinux.com/products/faq/

The older version works on MacOS 8/9. The new one works on Mac OS X.

Linmac or lintel would be most nice for us micro-engineers. The smaller businesses we want to associate with could branch away from both static software design and largescale deployment tied to that very design, focusing more on customizing digital end-pieces to attach to current semiconductor inputs if the correlated software to do that in places (like EAGLE for Ubuntu) is manufactured and delivered in an open core form of engagement.

Re:This is new?!

[dafing]

I remember watching the Engadget review video of the Nexus One, and the iPhone blitzed both Android devices (Droid, N1)

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/04/nexus-one-review/

You can say all you want about screen resolutions, fact is, if you want to use the internet, the iPhone zips way out in front for loading times, and has a more accurate touchscreen, it lets you get the job done faster. I am used to higher resolution displays, and can see how photos etc would look better, but sight unseen, I dont know if I'd prefer prettier banner ads over a fast and easier to use browser.

I've wanted to play around with a Nexus One, as an "Apple Fanboi", I think its great that the iPhone is starting to get competition. Its a joke at the moment though, I dont even really think Android phones are sold in NZ? I think theres one or two, tucked away somewhere at the carrier store, only advertised as "With Google". "but my phone already does Google Search!" :)