Re: [tip:x86/microcode] x86/microcode_intel_early.c: Early updateucode on Intel's CPU

[Jacob Shin]

On Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 12:03:29AM +0100, Borislav Petkov wrote:
> On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 04:59:41PM -0600, Jacob Shin wrote:
> > I can check but right, they might be used up. But even if we had slots
> > available, the memory range that needs to be covered is in large
> > enough address and aligned in such a way that you cannot cover it with
> > variable range MTRRs.
> 
> Actually, if I'm not mistaken, you only need to cover the HT hole with
> one MTRR - the rest remains WB. And in order the mask bits to work, we
> could make it a little bigger - we waste some memory but that's nothing
> in comparison to the MCE.

Actually all memory hole above 4GB and under TOM2 needs to be marked
as UC, if the kernel just blanket calls init_memory_mapping from 4GB
to top of memory.

Right we would be loosing memory, and I think depending on the
alignment of the boundary and how many MTRRs you have avaiable to use,
significant chunks of memory could be lost. I need to go refresh on
how variable range MTRRs are programmed, it has been a while.

> 
> You might need to talk to hw guys about the feasibility of this deal
> though.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> -- 
> Regards/Gruss,
>     Boris.
> 
> Sent from a fat crate under my desk. Formatting is fine.
> --
> 

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