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MultiProcessor Specification

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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 APCI. MPS can still be useful on machines or with operating systems that do not support ACPI.


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