
14 Linux for IBM System z9 and IBM zSeries
primitive, futexes operate in both user-space, and kernel-space. Futex
operations begin in user-space. If no contention exists for the futex, the operation
completes in user-space. Expensive system calls to kernel-space are required
only if contention exists for the futex.
2.2.5 I/O performance and scalability enhancements
Several improvements have been made to the I/O subsystem. In the Linux 2.6
kernel, there is no global I/O request lock. Instead, each I/O device has its own
I/O request lock. Both the asynchronous I/O and direct I/O layers have been
rewritten:
The asynchronous I/O system allows app ...