METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONCURRENT HANDLER EXECUTION IN AN SMI AND PMI-BASED DISPATCH-EXECUTION FRAMEWORK

A method and system that enables concurrent event handler execution in a system management interrupt (SMI) and processor management interrupt (PMI)-based dispatch-execution framework to service an SMI or PMI event. A plurality of event handlers are loaded into a hidden memory space that is accessible to a hidden execution mode supported by each of a plurality of processors in a multiprocessor computer system but is not accessible to other operating modes of those processors. The event handlers are then dispatched to two or more processors in response to the hidden execution mode event and concurrently executed to service the event. Various embodiments include use of a single event handler to service the event, multiple event handlers that perform different tasks, and multiple event handler instances that concurrently perform a single task. The invention also provides a resource locking mechanism to prevent resource access conflicts.