Adding Symmetric Multiprocessing to Amiga UNIX.

[Marc Barrett]

   It has been discussed before (especially in comp.sys.amiga.hardware)
that, when a CPU card (such as a 68040 card) is added to the Amiga 3000,
the 68030 on the motherboard remains available as a coprocessor.  
Unfortunately, neither AmigaOS nor UNIX SysVR4 support multiprocessing,
so although the 68030 remains available hardware-wise, it is unavailable
for use because of the system software.

   My question is, would it be possible for Commodore to modify their
version of UNIX SysVR4 to support symmetric multiprocessing?  Although
this version of UNIX does not support symmetric multiprocessing as it
is written, other companies -- including Solbourne, Sequent, Corollary,
Pyramid, Encore, ALR, and Compaq -- have successfully modified older
versions of AT&T UNIX System V to support symmetric multiprocessing.

   If Commodore could do the same, and add symmetric multiprocessing
to Amiga UNIX, this would permit both of the processors to be used at
once in a multiprocessor Amiga 3000.  More importantly, it would allow
Commodore to join only a handful of other companies that produce 
multiprocessor UNIX workstation systems.  Not only would Commodore have
a true multiprocessor workstation, but their could market this system
at less than 1/3 the price of other similar multiprocessor systems.

   I hope someone at Commodore sees this, and investigates this idea.
Adding symmetric multiprocessing to Amiga UNIX would allow Commodore
to sell true multiprocessing systems at a price that is less than similar
single-processor systems.  This would be the biggest advance to the 
Amiga's multitasking capability since it was introduced back in 1985.


                                  -MB-