ELsmp vs EL Kernel

[stevenriz]

I can assume the answer to this but that's gotten me into trouble more then once......

After a default install of Redhat Enterprise the system starts with a selection of two kernels. ELsmp and EL. Default is ELsmp. The issue I have is, this particular system is a single P4 CPU. Should I just remove the ELsmp from the grub and use the EL only?

Is there any harm to using the smp kernel on a single CPU machine? Thanks!!
Steve

 

[thedaver]

No harm using SMP on uni-processor box. A purist will demonstrate a 0.04% overall performance hit in running SMP support with only one CPU, do with that what you will...

D.E.R. Management - IT Project Management Consulting

http://www.dermanagement.com/

 

[jstreich]

Does your P4 have hyperthreading? If so, SMP should take advantage of it. If not, your taking a very small time penalty.

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http://game-master.us/phpx-3.4.0/

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[stevenriz]

They are IBM x306 servers..... So 6 and one half dozen which way I go with the Kernel?? Or Maybe I will get a bit more performance. I don't tell a difference, although these servers aren't going to do much, just some simple calculations.....

Clock Speed 3 GHz
Installed Qty 1
Manufacturer Intel
Max Supported Qty 1
Processor Main Features Hyper-Threading Technology
Type Pentium 4

 

[Chacalinc]

Processor Main Features Hyper-Threading Technology

That's why you got the ELsmp kernel. HT will show you 2 logical CPUs. You can get up to 20% more performance that a single processor. Just use the smp kernel.

Cheers.

Chacal, Inc.

 

[thedaver]

Nice call gang on the hyperthreading, I forgot about that!

D.E.R. Management - IT Project Management Consulting

http://www.dermanagement.com/

 

[stevenriz]

Sounds good. Thank you all, you enlightened me yet again!!
Steve

 

[Chacalinc]

just an addition, if you have HT enabled, issue:

cat /proc/cpuinfo

you will se 2 CPUs!

Cheers.

Chacal, Inc.

 

[stefanwagner]

and 2 penguins if you switch to lilo with graphical boot-logo

:scnr:

(in top you may switch between processors-views too)

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