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2.6.2 CPU Operational Mode Settings


2.6.2 CPU Operational Mode Settings
The SPARC64 X+ processor can provide the same functions as the SPARC64 X processor in SPARC M10. This section describes the settings and points to consider regarding the CPU operational mode.
CPU operational mode setting procedures
For details on the CPU operational mode, see "1.6.1 CPU Operation Type and CPU Operational Mode."
The CPU operational mode can be configured for each physical partition by executing the setpparmode command of the XSCF firmware.
There are two CPU operational modes (cpumode) that can be set with the setpparmode command: "auto" and "compatible". The CPU operational mode is set to "auto" by default.
Each mode operates as follows.
  1. auto mode
    This mode enables the database acceleration instruction, an extension provided by the SPARC64 X+ processor. However, in a mixed configuration with both the SPARC64 X+ processor and the SPARC64 X processor, the SPARC64 X+ processor operates in SPARC64 X compatible mode. If you perform maintenance through dynamic reconfiguration in a mixed configuration with both the SPARC64 X+ processor and the SPARC64 X processor, set compatible mode.
  2. compatible mode
    The SPARC64 X+ processor operates in SPARC64 X compatible mode. To configure a physical partition for the mixed use of the SPARC64 X+ processor and the SPARC64 X processor, set this mode.
Table 2-14 shows the relationship between the physical partition configuration, CPU operational mode settings, and CPU operation.
Table 2-14  CPU Configuration and CPU Operational Mode in a Physical Partition
Physical Partition Configuration CPU Operational Mode Setting CPU Operation
SPARC64 X+ auto Operates with the SPARC64 X+ functions
SPARC64 X+ compatible Operates in SPARC64 X compatible mode
SPARC64 X+/X auto or compatible  SPARC64 X+ operates in SPARC64 X compatible mode
SPARC64 X auto or compatible  Operates with the SPARC64 X functions
Change the CPU operational mode settings while the target physical partition is powered off.
Important - Before changing the CPU operational mode setting, first save (backup) the logical domain configuration information.
The logical domain configuration information in the Oracle VM Server for SPARC includes information related to the CPU operational mode used in the logical domain. If you apply the logical domain configuration information for a logical domain operating with the SPARC64 X+ function to a physical partition operating with the SPARC64 X function, a configuration information mismatch will occur. Then, XSCF switches the logical domain configuration information to the factory-default and starts the physical partition.
To reconfigure the logical domain configuration information switched to the factory-default back to the original configuration settings, the logical domain configuration information that has been previously saved (backed up) is required. For these reasons, you must save (back up) the logical domain configuration information before changing the CPU operational mode with the setpparmode command. For details on how to save (back up) logical domain configuration information and reconfigure a logical domain, see the configuration examples given in "A.1 Updating a System That Does Not Support Physical Partition Dynamic Reconfiguration to One That Does Support It." For details on those cases in which a logical domain needs to be reconfigured, see "B.2 Supplementary Information on CPU Operational Mode."
To change the CPU operational mode, use the setpparmode command. The following shows an example of the procedures for changing the CPU operational mode to "compatible".
  1. Power off the physical partition.
XSCF> poweroff -p PPAR_ID
  1. Execute the showpparmode command to check the current CPU operational mode (CPU mode) settings.
XSCF> showpparmode -p PPAR_ID
Host-ID :9007002b
Diagnostic Level :min
Message Level :normal
Alive Check :on
Watchdog Reaction :reset
Break Signal :on
Autoboot(Guest Domain) :on
Elastic Mode :off
IOreconfigure :false
CPU Mode :auto
PPAR DR(Current) :-
PPAR DR(Next) :on
  1. Execute the setpparmode command to change the CPU operational mode (CPU mode) from "auto" to "compatible".
XSCF> setpparmode -p PPAR_ID -m cpumode=compatible
  1. Execute the showpparmode command to check that the CPU operational mode (CPU mode) has been set to "compatible".
XSCF> showpparmode -p PPAR_ID
Host-ID :9007002b
Diagnostic Level :min
Message Level :normal
Alive Check :on
Watchdog Reaction :reset
Break Signal :on
Autoboot(Guest Domain) :on
Elastic Mode :off
IOreconfigure :false
CPU Mode :compatible
PPAR DR(Current) :-
PPAR DR(Next) :on
  1. Power on the physical partition.
XSCF> poweron -p PPAR_ID
Check the CPU operation type
To check the CPU operation type, execute the prtdiag or psrinfo command on Oracle Solaris.

When the CPU operates with the SPARC64 X+ function, the prtdiag command outputs "SPARC64-X+" in [Virtual CPUs]. When the CPU operates with the SPARC64 X function, the command outputs "SPARC64-X" in [Virtual CPUs].
Execute the psrinfo command with the -pv option specified. When the CPU operates with the SPARC64 X+ function, "SPARC64-X+" is output in the provided physical processor information. Meanwhile, when the CPU operates with the SPARC64 X function, "SPARC64-X" is output.

The following shows display examples of the prtdiag and psrinfo commands.
  1. When operating with the SPARC64 X+ function
  1. [Display example of prtdiag command]
# prtdiag
System Configuration: Oracle Corporation sun4v SPARC M10-4S
Memory size: 391168 Megabytes

================================ Virtual CPUs ================================

CPU ID Frequency Implementation Status
------ --------- ---------------------- -------

0 3700 MHz SPARC64-X+ on-line
:
  1. [Display example for psrinfo command]
# psrinfo -pv
The physical processor has 16 cores and 32 virtual processors (0-31)
The core has 2 virtual processors (0 1)
The core has 2 virtual processors (2 3)
The core has 2 virtual processors (4 5)
The core has 2 virtual processors (6 7)
The core has 2 virtual processors (8 9)
The core has 2 virtual processors (10 11)
The core has 2 virtual processors (12 13)
The core has 2 virtual processors (14 15)
The core has 2 virtual processors (16 17)
The core has 2 virtual processors (18 19)
The core has 2 virtual processors (20 21)
The core has 2 virtual processors (22 23)
The core has 2 virtual processors (24 25)
The core has 2 virtual processors (26 27)
The core has 2 virtual processors (28 29)
The core has 2 virtual processors (30 31)
SPARC64-X+ (chipid 0, clock 3700 MHz)
:
:
  1. When operating with the SPARC64 X function
  1. [Display example of prtdiag command]
# prtdiag
System Configuration: Oracle Corporation sun4v SPARC M10-4S
Memory size: 391168 Megabytes

================================ Virtual CPUs ================================

CPU ID Frequency Implementation Status
------ --------- ---------------------- -------

0 3700 MHz SPARC64-X on-line
:
  1. [Display example of psrinfo command]
# psrinfo -pv
The physical processor has 16 cores and 32 virtual processors (0-31)
The core has 2 virtual processors (0 1)
The core has 2 virtual processors (2 3)
The core has 2 virtual processors (4 5)
The core has 2 virtual processors (6 7)
The core has 2 virtual processors (8 9)
The core has 2 virtual processors (10 11)
The core has 2 virtual processors (12 13)
The core has 2 virtual processors (14 15)
The core has 2 virtual processors (16 17)
The core has 2 virtual processors (18 19)
The core has 2 virtual processors (20 21)
The core has 2 virtual processors (22 23)
The core has 2 virtual processors (24 25)
The core has 2 virtual processors (26 27)
The core has 2 virtual processors (28 29)
The core has 2 virtual processors (30 31)
SPARC64-X (chipid 0, clock 3700 MHz)
The physical processor has 16 cores and 32 virtual processors (32-63)
The core has 2 virtual processors (32 33)