Dynamic assignment of affinity for vector tasks

摘要

A method for dynamically assigning and removing task affinity for a resource is disclosed and claimed. A first interrupt handler recognizes a special task interrupt condition which is generated by the hardware. The interrupt condition is generated because a task attempted to execute a special instruction and either a special resource is attached to the central processing unit which issued the special instruction, or a special resource is not attached to the issuing central processing unit, but could be attached to another central processing unit in a central electronic complex. The first interrupt handler then passes control to a second interrupt handler which determines if execution of the current task can continue. If it can, the second interrupt handler creates or reestablishes a special environment and the task is dispatched (either for the first time or again) with a special dynamic affinity to only those central processing units in the central electronic complex that have a special resource attached. Due to the assignment of special affinity the task is dispatched only on a central processing unit with a special resource attached. The task can be suspended and special affinity removed because of non-use of the special resource over a predetermined period of time. Special affinity is automatically determined following a first-issued special instruction as well as one issued by a task whose special affinity was previously suspended.