Intel E6320 Specification Update - Page 29

Storage of PEBS Record Delayed Following Execution of MOV SS or STI

Page 29 highlights

 BJ28. Storage of PEBS Record Delayed Following Execution of MOV SS or STI Problem: When a performance monitoring counter is configured for PEBS (Precise Event Based Sampling), overflow of the counter results in storage of a PEBS record in the PEBS buffer. The information in the PEBS record represents the state of the next instruction to be executed following the counter overflow. Due to this erratum, if the counter overflow occurs after execution of either MOV SS or STI, storage of the PEBS record is delayed by one instruction. Implication: When this erratum occurs, software may observe storage of the PEBS record being delayed by one instruction following execution of MOV SS or STI. The state information in the PEBS record will also reflect the one instruction delay. Workaround: None identified. Status: For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes. BJ29. The Processor May Report a #TS Instead of a #GP Fault Problem: A jump to a busy TSS (Task-State Segment) may cause a #TS (invalid TSS exception) instead of a #GP fault (general protection exception). Implication: Operation systems that access a busy TSS may get invalid TSS fault instead of a #GP fault. Intel has not observed this erratum with any commercially available software. Workaround: None identified. Status: For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes. BJ30. VM Exits Due to "NMI-Window Exiting" May Be Delayed by One Instruction Problem: If VM entry is executed with the "NMI-window exiting" VM-execution control set to 1, a VM exit with exit reason "NMI window" should occur before execution of any instruction if there is no virtual-NMI blocking, no blocking of events by MOV SS, and no blocking of events by STI. If VM entry is made with no virtual-NMI blocking but with blocking of events by either MOV SS or STI, such a VM exit should occur after execution of one instruction in VMX non-root operation. Due to this erratum, the VM exit may be delayed by one additional instruction. Implication: VMM software using "NMI-window exiting" for NMI virtualization should generally be unaffected, as the erratum causes at most a one-instruction delay in the injection of a virtual NMI, which is virtually asynchronous. The erratum may affect VMMs relying on deterministic delivery of the affected VM exits. Workaround: None identified. Status: For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes. BJ31. Pending x87 FPU Exceptions (#MF) May be Signaled Earlier Than Expected Problem: x87 instructions that trigger #MF normally service interrupts before the #MF. Due to this erratum, if an instruction that triggers #MF is executed while Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology transitions, Intel® Turbo Boost Technology transitions, or Thermal Monitor events occur, the pending #MF may be signaled before pending interrupts are serviced. Implication: Software may observe #MF being signaled before pending interrupts are serviced. Workaround: None identified. Status: For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes. Specification Update 29

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • 31
  • 32
  • 33
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36
  • 37
  • 38
  • 39
  • 40
  • 41
  • 42
  • 43
  • 44
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • 48
  • 49
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52
  • 53
  • 54
  • 55
  • 56
  • 57
  • 58
  • 59
  • 60
  • 61
  • 62
  • 63
  • 64

Specification Update
29
BJ28.
Storage of PEBS Record Delayed Following Execution of MOV SS or STI
Problem:
When a performance monitoring counter is configured for PEBS (Precise Event Based
Sampling), overflow of the counter results in storage of a PEBS record in the PEBS
buffer. The information in the PEBS record represents the state of the next instruction
to be executed following the counter overflow. Due to this erratum, if the counter
overflow occurs after execution of either MOV SS or STI, storage of the PEBS record is
delayed by one instruction.
Implication:
When this erratum occurs, software may observe storage of the PEBS record being
delayed by one instruction following execution of MOV SS or STI. The state information
in the PEBS record will also reflect the one instruction delay.
Workaround:
None identified.
Status:
For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes.
BJ29.
The Processor May Report a #TS Instead of a #GP Fault
Problem:
A jump to a busy TSS (Task-State Segment) may cause a #TS (invalid TSS exception)
instead of a #GP fault (general protection exception).
Implication:
Operation systems that access a busy TSS may get invalid TSS fault instead of a #GP
fault. Intel has not observed this erratum with any commercially available software.
Workaround:
None identified.
Status:
For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes.
BJ30.
VM Exits Due to “NMI-Window Exiting” May Be Delayed by One
Instruction
Problem:
If VM entry is executed with the “NMI-window exiting” VM-execution control set to 1, a
VM exit with exit reason “NMI window” should occur before execution of any instruction
if there is no virtual-NMI blocking, no blocking of events by MOV SS, and no blocking of
events by STI. If VM entry is made with no virtual-NMI blocking but with blocking of
events by either MOV SS or STI, such a VM exit should occur after execution of one
instruction in VMX non-root operation. Due to this erratum, the VM exit may be delayed
by one additional instruction.
Implication:
VMM software using “NMI-window exiting” for NMI virtualization should generally be
unaffected, as the erratum causes at most a one-instruction delay in the injection of a
virtual NMI, which is virtually asynchronous. The erratum may affect VMMs relying on
deterministic delivery of the affected VM exits.
Workaround:
None identified.
Status:
For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes.
BJ31.
Pending x87 FPU Exceptions (#MF) May be Signaled Earlier Than
Expected
Problem:
x87 instructions that trigger #MF normally service interrupts before the #MF. Due to
this erratum, if an instruction that triggers #MF is executed while Enhanced Intel
SpeedStep
®
Technology transitions, Intel
®
Turbo Boost Technology transitions, or
Thermal Monitor events occur, the pending #MF may be signaled before pending
interrupts are serviced.
Implication:
Software may observe #MF being signaled before pending interrupts are serviced.
Workaround:
None identified.
Status:
For the steppings affected, see the Summary Tables of Changes.