Re: Use of latest patch

[David Ross <davidr@toadtech.com>]

On Mon, 14 Sep 1998 13:29:53 Karsten Siebert wrote:
 
> Can I install the latest rtl patch (written for kernel 2.0.33) on top of
> kernel 2.0.35 ?
> 
> I have a serial communication board driver designed as network device
> driver. I have to send permanently special packets throughout the serial
> boad (even if there are no IP packets available). These packets are
> generated inside the driver. E.g. once I receive a completion interrupt
> (from the board, I have to send a new packet). Above 6mbps (using a PII
> 400), and the system wants to write to the HD I loose synchronization at my
> receive system - showing that there was a gap in transmitted packets. Can I
> replace the existing irq_request / irq_free by rt_ functions and just
> recompile my network driver, of course using the rtkernel ?
> 

You might want to look at a package called irqtune. It can be found at sunsite 
and other archives. It adjusts irq priorities. It was written by a serial device 
driver "meister". It has great documentation. It is the best info I've seen 
anywhere on low-level system tuning. He explicitly discusses serial vs HD 
contention issues.

If it is within the scope of your project and you aren't using scsi devices you 
might want to concider them. They use alot less cpu (fewer interupts) especially 
if a bus-mastering controller is used.

I don't now whether irqtune can be used with RTL, but I hope the info is 
helpful.

Regards,

david
--
David Ross

davidr@toadtech.com
Toad Technologies

"I'll be good! I will, I will !"
RT Linux Home Page: http://rtlinux.cs.nmt.edu/~rtlinux