Multi-Processor (MP) Management

What are the two classes of processors?

Ref: (Vol. 3A - 7.5.1, Intel Software Developer's Manual)

The bootstrap processor (BSP) and the application processors (AP).

How is BSP selected?

Ref: (Vol. 3A - 7.5.1, Intel Software Developer's Manual)

Following a power-up or RESET of an MP system, system hardware dynamically selects one of the processors on the system bus as the BSP.

How are APs selected?

Ref: (Vol. 3A - 7.5.1, Intel Software Developer's Manual)

After BSP is selected the remaining processors are designated as APs.

What is the purpose of BSP?

Ref: (Vol. 3A - 7.5.1, Intel Software Developer's Manual)

The BSP executes the BIOS's boot-strap code to configure the APIC (Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller) environment, sets up system-wide data structures, and starts and initializes the APs. When the BSP and APs are initialized, the BSP then begins executing the operating-system initialization code.