System management mode using transactional memory

摘要

Embodiments of a system and method for servicing a hidden execution mode event in a multiprocessor computer system is described. A plurality of event handlers and shared memory resources are loaded or stored in a transactional memory space that is accessible to a hidden execution mode supported by each of a plurality of processors in the multiprocessor system. The event handlers are dispatched to different processors among the plurality of processors in response to the hidden execution mode event. A resource locking mechanism comprising a linked-list mechanism that stores entries consisting of work items to be executed by the processors, enables a specified resource of the one or more shared resources to be accessed by only one event handler at a time. The hidden execution mode event comprises a System Management Mode of a microprocessor, and the hidden execution mode event can be either a System Management Interrupt event or a Processor Management Interrupt event. The transactional memory can be either Hardware Transactional Memory or Software Transactional Memory.