MultiProcessor Specification

The MultiProcessor Specification (MPS) for the x86 architecture is an open standard describing enhancements to both operating systems and firmware, which will allow them to work with x86-compatible processors in a multi-processor configuration.

Version 1.1 of the specification was released on April 11, 1994. Version 1.4 of the specification was released on July 1, 1995, which added extended configuration tables to improve support for multiple PCI bus configurations and improve expandability.

The MP specification covers Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC) architectures.

The Linux kernel and FreeBSD are known to support the Intel MP Specification.

There is a utility called 'mptable' which can be used to examine the MP Spec Table on motherboards.

Since most newer machines support Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) which subsumes the MPS functionality, MPS has for the most part been supplanted by ACPI. MPS can still be useful on machines or with operating systems that do not support ACPI.

External links

Intel technology

Platforms	Centrino Centrino 2 vPro Viiv MID Tablet CULV Ultrabook Skulltrail NUC Galileo Edison Curie

Discontinued	Common Building Block MultiProcessor Specification Intel Communication Streaming Architecture Intel Inboard 386 Intel Play MMC-1 MMC-2 System Management Bus

Current	Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller APIC x2APIC Active Management Technology AMT versions High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection High Definition Audio Hub Architecture Matrix RAID I/O Controller Hub SpeedStep Serial Digital Video Out Host Embedded Controller Interface Platform Environment Control Interface QuickPath Interconnect Platform Controller Hub Thunderbolt

Upcoming	Silicon Photonics Link

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