Method and apparatus to distribute interrupts to multiple interrupt handlers in a distributed symmetric multiprocessor system

An apparatus for processing interrupts in a multiprocessor system, the apparatus comprising:

• receiving means for receiving an interrupt transaction by an interrupt arbiter, wherein the interrupt transaction specifies one or more interrupt handlers that may service the interrupt;
• determining means for determining whether one or more interrupt distribution units are associated with one or more of the interrupt handlers specified by the interrupt transaction;
• selecting means for selecting one interrupt distribution unit among one or more interrupt distribution units that are associated with the one or more interrupt handlers by modifying the interrupt transaction;
• and
• forwarding means for forwarding the modified interrupt transaction for snooping.

A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for processing interrupts in a multiprocessor system, the computer program product comprising:

• instructions for receiving an interrupt transaction by an interrupt arbiter, wherein the interrupt transaction specifies one or more interrupt handlers that may service the interrupt;
• instructions for determining whether one or more interrupt distribution units are associated with one ore more of the interrupt handlers specified by the interrupt transaction;
• instructions for selecting one interrupt distribution unit among one or more interrupt distribution units that are associated with the one or more interrupt handlers by modifying the interrupt transaction;
• and
• instructions for forwarding the modified interrupt transaction for snooping.

A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for processing interrupts in a multiprocessor system, the computer program product comprising:

• instructions for receiving an interrupt transaction by an interrupt arbiter;
• and
• instructions for selecting an interrupt distribution unit for servicing the interrupt transaction by modifying the interrupt transaction;
• and
• instructions for forwarding the modified interrupt transaction for snooping.