Novell, Inc.

Symantec Corporation

Solera Networks, Inc.

Jeffrey V Merkey

Bryan V Sparks

A method and apparatus for scheduling threads on a multiprocessor utilize an unlocked local queue for each processor in the multiprocessor and a lockable global dispatch queue accessible by all processors. Threads are selected for movement from the unlocked local queue to the global dispatch queue only when the unlocked local queue contains too many threads that are waiting for a processor. Threads are selected to run on an available processor only after repeated checks to make certain no threads in the processor's unlocked local queue should be run first. As a result, threads assigned to a processor tend to stay with that processor unless the system load is severely unbalanced, thereby improving system performance by increasing cache hits and decreasing lock assertions.

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Orem, UT, United States of America

Jeffrey V Merkey