[clug] August CLUG Programmers' Special Interest Group meeting

[Paul Wayper]

	CLUG Programmers' Special Interest Group Meeting - 9th August 2007
	==================================================================

Date:		9th August 2007 (Second Thursday of the month)

Time:		18:30 - 21:00 (or when it finishes)

Speaker:	Nick Piggin

Abstract:	
		Memory consistency and Linux.  
		
		Nick will start by giving an introduction to the basics
		of memory consistency (memory ordering) in
		multiprocessor systems. This can be ignored completely
		when using locking libraries (like pthread_mutex), but
		even then it can be useful to have some background
		knowledge of the subject.  
		
		After this, Nick will show how a particular lock, the
		"page lock", is currently implemented in Linux and how
		memory consistency issues are resolved by that
		implementation.  
		
		Finally we will explore a number of ways the
		implementation can be improved, and show some results
		along the way. This will focus on the x86 and powerpc
		architectures.  
		
		The talk should be understandable if you just know the
		basics of synchronisation and locking. Assembly or Linux
		kernel knowledge should not play a big part. 

Venue:		Canberra City Pancake Parlour
		
		Find platform 4 in the City Interchange (see map below)
		and then look for the Pancake Parlour sandwich board.
		At the bottom of the stairs, look for the PSIG sign on
		the counter and a stuffed penguin in the indicated
		direction.

		http://tinyurl.com/dyexl

Food/drink:	The Pancake Parlour has a large variety of food and 
		drink available, so bring some cash and grab a bite
		to eat or drink.

If you would like to give a talk at a future meeting, please email me.