Merge ktlim@zizzer.eecs.umich.edu:/bk/m5

into zamp.eecs.umich.edu:/z/ktlim2/m5

--HG--
extra : convert_revision : 0baadd8d68bfa6f8e96307eb2d4426b0d9e0b8b4

44 files changed, 316 insertions, 165 deletions

diff --git a/arch/alpha/ev5.cc b/arch/alpha/ev5.cc
index 2e32da531..d75f4a865 100644
--- a/arch/alpha/ev5.cc
+++ b/arch/alpha/ev5.cc
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ ExecContext::readIpr(int idx, Fault &fault)
 
       case AlphaISA::IPR_CC:
         retval |= ipr[idx] & ULL(0xffffffff00000000);
-        retval |= curTick  & ULL(0x00000000ffffffff);
+        retval |= cpu->curCycle()  & ULL(0x00000000ffffffff);
         break;
 
       case AlphaISA::IPR_VA:
diff --git a/cpu/base_cpu.cc b/cpu/base_cpu.cc
index 01040015c..643a2b652 100644
--- a/cpu/base_cpu.cc
+++ b/cpu/base_cpu.cc
@@ -54,11 +54,12 @@ int maxThreadsPerCPU = 1;
 extern void debug_break();
 #ifdef FULL_SYSTEM
 BaseCPU::BaseCPU(Params *p)
-    : SimObject(p->name), frequency(p->freq), checkInterrupts(true),
+    : SimObject(p->name), cycleTime(p->cycleTime), checkInterrupts(true),
       params(p), number_of_threads(p->numberOfThreads), system(p->system)
 #else
 BaseCPU::BaseCPU(Params *p)
-    : SimObject(p->name), params(p), number_of_threads(p->numberOfThreads)
+    : SimObject(p->name), cycleTime(p->cycleTime), params(p),
+      number_of_threads(p->numberOfThreads)
 #endif
 {
     DPRINTF(FullCPU, "BaseCPU: Creating object, mem address %#x.\n", this);
diff --git a/cpu/base_cpu.hh b/cpu/base_cpu.hh
index f346f4ec5..ea12460db 100644
--- a/cpu/base_cpu.hh
+++ b/cpu/base_cpu.hh
@@ -46,9 +46,17 @@ class ExecContext;
 
 class BaseCPU : public SimObject
 {
+  protected:
+    // CPU's clock period in terms of the number of ticks of curTime.
+    Tick cycleTime;
+
+  public:
+    inline Tick frequency() const { return Clock::Frequency / cycleTime; }
+    inline Tick cycles(int numCycles) const { return cycleTime * numCycles; }
+    inline Tick curCycle() const { return curTick / cycleTime; }
+
 #ifdef FULL_SYSTEM
   protected:
-    Tick frequency;
     uint64_t interrupts[NumInterruptLevels];
     uint64_t intstatus;
 
@@ -67,8 +75,6 @@ class BaseCPU : public SimObject
 
     bool check_interrupts() const { return intstatus != 0; }
     uint64_t intr_status() const { return intstatus; }
-
-    Tick getFreq() const { return frequency; }
 #endif
 
   protected:
@@ -100,7 +106,7 @@ class BaseCPU : public SimObject
         Counter max_insts_all_threads;
         Counter max_loads_any_thread;
         Counter max_loads_all_threads;
-        Tick freq;
+        Tick cycleTime;
         bool functionTrace;
         Tick functionTraceStart;
 #ifdef FULL_SYSTEM
diff --git a/cpu/memtest/memtest.cc b/cpu/memtest/memtest.cc
index 14b119880..86d03e162 100644
--- a/cpu/memtest/memtest.cc
+++ b/cpu/memtest/memtest.cc
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ void
 MemTest::tick()
 {
     if (!tickEvent.scheduled())
-        tickEvent.schedule(curTick + 1);
+        tickEvent.schedule(curTick + cycles(1));
 
     if (++noResponseCycles >= 500000) {
         cerr << name() << ": deadlocked at cycle " << curTick << endl;
diff --git a/cpu/memtest/memtest.hh b/cpu/memtest/memtest.hh
index 45b2d24e8..ed25cf374 100644
--- a/cpu/memtest/memtest.hh
+++ b/cpu/memtest/memtest.hh
@@ -60,6 +60,9 @@ class MemTest : public SimObject
 
     // register statistics
     virtual void regStats();
+
+    inline Tick cycles(int numCycles) const { return numCycles; }
+
     // main simulation loop (one cycle)
     void tick();
 
diff --git a/cpu/simple_cpu/simple_cpu.cc b/cpu/simple_cpu/simple_cpu.cc
index 62bbb2fa8..06fee208d 100644
--- a/cpu/simple_cpu/simple_cpu.cc
+++ b/cpu/simple_cpu/simple_cpu.cc
@@ -806,7 +806,7 @@ SimpleCPU::tick()
            status() == DcacheMissStall);
 
     if (status() == Running && !tickEvent.scheduled())
-        tickEvent.schedule(curTick + 1);
+        tickEvent.schedule(curTick + cycles(1));
 }
 
 
@@ -831,6 +831,7 @@ BEGIN_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(SimpleCPU)
     SimObjectParam<Process *> workload;
 #endif // FULL_SYSTEM
 
+    Param<int> cycle_time;
     SimObjectParam<BaseMem *> icache;
     SimObjectParam<BaseMem *> dcache;
 
@@ -862,6 +863,7 @@ BEGIN_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(SimpleCPU)
     INIT_PARAM(workload, "processes to run"),
 #endif // FULL_SYSTEM
 
+    INIT_PARAM(cycle_time, "cpu cycle time"),
     INIT_PARAM(icache, "L1 instruction cache object"),
     INIT_PARAM(dcache, "L1 data cache object"),
     INIT_PARAM(defer_registration, "defer system registration (for sampling)"),
@@ -887,7 +889,7 @@ CREATE_SIM_OBJECT(SimpleCPU)
     params->max_loads_any_thread = max_loads_any_thread;
     params->max_loads_all_threads = max_loads_all_threads;
     params->deferRegistration = defer_registration;
-    params->freq = ticksPerSecond;
+    params->cycleTime = cycle_time;
     params->functionTrace = function_trace;
     params->functionTraceStart = function_trace_start;
     params->icache_interface = (icache) ? icache->getInterface() : NULL;
diff --git a/cpu/simple_cpu/simple_cpu.hh b/cpu/simple_cpu/simple_cpu.hh
index f245a7bba..2056ff707 100644
--- a/cpu/simple_cpu/simple_cpu.hh
+++ b/cpu/simple_cpu/simple_cpu.hh
@@ -80,12 +80,12 @@ class SimpleCPU : public BaseCPU
     TickEvent tickEvent;
 
     /// Schedule tick event, regardless of its current state.
-    void scheduleTickEvent(int delay)
+    void scheduleTickEvent(int numCycles)
     {
         if (tickEvent.squashed())
-            tickEvent.reschedule(curTick + delay);
+            tickEvent.reschedule(curTick + cycles(numCycles));
         else if (!tickEvent.scheduled())
-            tickEvent.schedule(curTick + delay);
+            tickEvent.schedule(curTick + cycles(numCycles));
     }
 
     /// Unschedule tick event, regardless of its current state.
diff --git a/cpu/trace/trace_cpu.cc b/cpu/trace/trace_cpu.cc
index 1902d0be4..a0e4ef24c 100644
--- a/cpu/trace/trace_cpu.cc
+++ b/cpu/trace/trace_cpu.cc
@@ -108,10 +108,10 @@ TraceCPU::tick()
         if (mainEventQueue.empty()) {
             new SimExitEvent("Finshed Memory Trace");
         } else {
-            tickEvent.schedule(mainEventQueue.nextEventTime() + 1);
+            tickEvent.schedule(mainEventQueue.nextEventTime() + cycles(1));
         }
     } else {
-        tickEvent.schedule(max(curTick + 1, nextCycle));
+        tickEvent.schedule(max(curTick + cycles(1), nextCycle));
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/cpu/trace/trace_cpu.hh b/cpu/trace/trace_cpu.hh
index cdac4bb4f..9b80e325d 100644
--- a/cpu/trace/trace_cpu.hh
+++ b/cpu/trace/trace_cpu.hh
@@ -105,6 +105,8 @@ class TraceCPU : public SimObject
              MemInterface *dcache_interface,
              MemTraceReader *data_trace);
 
+    inline Tick cycles(int numCycles) { return numCycles; }
+
     /**
      * Perform all the accesses for one cycle.
      */
diff --git a/dev/alpha_console.cc b/dev/alpha_console.cc
index 8309ea16d..01ce17dd5 100644
--- a/dev/alpha_console.cc
+++ b/dev/alpha_console.cc
@@ -56,10 +56,10 @@
 using namespace std;
 
 AlphaConsole::AlphaConsole(const string &name, SimConsole *cons, SimpleDisk *d,
-                           System *system, BaseCPU *cpu, Platform *p,
+                           System *s, BaseCPU *c, Platform *p,
                            int num_cpus, MemoryController *mmu, Addr a,
                            HierParams *hier, Bus *bus)
-    : PioDevice(name, p), disk(d), console(cons), addr(a)
+    : PioDevice(name, p), disk(d), console(cons), system(s), cpu(c), addr(a)
 {
     mmu->add_child(this, RangeSize(addr, size));
 
@@ -71,15 +71,9 @@ AlphaConsole::AlphaConsole(const string &name, SimConsole *cons, SimpleDisk *d,
 
     alphaAccess = new AlphaAccess;
     alphaAccess->last_offset = size - 1;
-    alphaAccess->kernStart = system->getKernelStart();
-    alphaAccess->kernEnd = system->getKernelEnd();
-    alphaAccess->entryPoint = system->getKernelEntry();
 
     alphaAccess->version = ALPHA_ACCESS_VERSION;
     alphaAccess->numCPUs = num_cpus;
-    alphaAccess->mem_size = system->physmem->size();
-    alphaAccess->cpuClock = cpu->getFreq() / 1000000;
-    alphaAccess->intrClockFrequency = platform->intrFrequency();
     alphaAccess->diskUnit = 1;
 
     alphaAccess->diskCount = 0;
@@ -93,6 +87,17 @@ AlphaConsole::AlphaConsole(const string &name, SimConsole *cons, SimpleDisk *d,
     alphaAccess->align2 = 0;
 }
 
+void
+AlphaConsole::init()
+{
+    alphaAccess->kernStart = system->getKernelStart();
+    alphaAccess->kernEnd = system->getKernelEnd();
+    alphaAccess->entryPoint = system->getKernelEntry();
+    alphaAccess->mem_size = system->physmem->size();
+    alphaAccess->cpuClock = cpu->frequency() / 1000000; // In MHz
+    alphaAccess->intrClockFrequency = platform->intrFrequency();
+}
+
 Fault
 AlphaConsole::read(MemReqPtr &req, uint8_t *data)
 {
diff --git a/dev/alpha_console.hh b/dev/alpha_console.hh
index 96b0a22c2..5685d7342 100644
--- a/dev/alpha_console.hh
+++ b/dev/alpha_console.hh
@@ -83,16 +83,24 @@ class AlphaConsole : public PioDevice
     /** the system console (the terminal) is accessable from the console */
     SimConsole *console;
 
+    /** a pointer to the system we are running in */
+    System *system;
+
+    /** a pointer to the CPU boot cpu */
+    BaseCPU *cpu;
+
     Addr addr;
     static const Addr size = 0x80; // equal to sizeof(alpha_access);
 
   public:
     /** Standard Constructor */
     AlphaConsole(const std::string &name, SimConsole *cons, SimpleDisk *d,
-                 System *system, BaseCPU *cpu, Platform *platform,
+                 System *s, BaseCPU *c, Platform *platform,
                  int num_cpus, MemoryController *mmu, Addr addr,
                  HierParams *hier, Bus *bus);
 
+    virtual void init();
+
     /**
      * memory mapped reads and writes
      */
diff --git a/dev/etherbus.cc b/dev/etherbus.cc
index 82722383c..ab2314c02 100644
--- a/dev/etherbus.cc
+++ b/dev/etherbus.cc
@@ -45,12 +45,12 @@
 
 using namespace std;
 
-EtherBus::EtherBus(const string &name, double rate, bool loop,
+EtherBus::EtherBus(const string &name, double speed, bool loop,
                    EtherDump *packet_dump)
-    : SimObject(name), ticks_per_byte(rate), loopback(loop),
-      event(&mainEventQueue, this),
-      sender(0), dump(packet_dump)
-{ }
+    : SimObject(name), ticksPerByte(speed), loopback(loop),
+      event(&mainEventQueue, this), sender(0), dump(packet_dump)
+{
+}
 
 void
 EtherBus::txDone()
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ EtherBus::send(EtherInt *sndr, PacketPtr &pkt)
 
     packet = pkt;
     sender = sndr;
-    int delay = (int)ceil(((double)pkt->length * ticks_per_byte) + 1.0);
+    int delay = (int)ceil(((double)pkt->length * ticksPerByte) + 1.0);
     DPRINTF(Ethernet, "scheduling packet: delay=%d, (rate=%f)\n",
-            delay, ticks_per_byte);
+            delay, ticksPerByte);
     event.schedule(curTick + delay);
 
     return true;
@@ -104,25 +104,22 @@ EtherBus::send(EtherInt *sndr, PacketPtr &pkt)
 BEGIN_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(EtherBus)
 
     Param<bool> loopback;
-    Param<int> speed;
+    Param<double> speed;
     SimObjectParam<EtherDump *> packet_dump;
 
 END_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(EtherBus)
 
 BEGIN_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(EtherBus)
 
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(loopback,
-                    "send the packet back to the interface from which it came",
-                    true),
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(speed, "bus speed in bits per second", 100000000),
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(packet_dump, "object to dump network packets to", NULL)
+    INIT_PARAM(loopback, "send the packet back to the sending interface"),
+    INIT_PARAM(speed, "bus speed in ticks per byte"),
+    INIT_PARAM(packet_dump, "object to dump network packets to")
 
 END_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(EtherBus)
 
 CREATE_SIM_OBJECT(EtherBus)
 {
-    double rate = ((double)ticksPerSecond * 8.0) / (double)speed;
-    return new EtherBus(getInstanceName(), rate, loopback, packet_dump);
+    return new EtherBus(getInstanceName(), speed, loopback, packet_dump);
 }
 
 REGISTER_SIM_OBJECT("EtherBus", EtherBus)
diff --git a/dev/etherbus.hh b/dev/etherbus.hh
index 716636c79..2ce118b59 100644
--- a/dev/etherbus.hh
+++ b/dev/etherbus.hh
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class EtherBus : public SimObject
   protected:
     typedef std::list<EtherInt *> devlist_t;
     devlist_t devlist;
-    double ticks_per_byte;
+    double ticksPerByte;
     bool loopback;
 
   protected:
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class EtherBus : public SimObject
     EtherDump *dump;
 
   public:
-    EtherBus(const std::string &name, double ticks_per_byte, bool loopback,
+    EtherBus(const std::string &name, double speed, bool loopback,
              EtherDump *dump);
     virtual ~EtherBus() {}
 
diff --git a/dev/etherlink.cc b/dev/etherlink.cc
index ba0fa705c..d63f4b3ad 100644
--- a/dev/etherlink.cc
+++ b/dev/etherlink.cc
@@ -48,12 +48,9 @@
 using namespace std;
 
 EtherLink::EtherLink(const string &name, EtherInt *peer0, EtherInt *peer1,
-                     Tick speed, Tick dly, EtherDump *dump)
+                     double rate, Tick delay, EtherDump *dump)
     : SimObject(name)
 {
-    double rate = ((double)ticksPerSecond * 8.0) / (double)speed;
-    Tick delay = dly * Clock::Int::us;
-
     link[0] = new Link(name + ".link0", this, 0, rate, delay, dump);
     link[1] = new Link(name + ".link1", this, 1, rate, delay, dump);
 
@@ -271,7 +268,7 @@ BEGIN_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(EtherLink)
 
     SimObjectParam<EtherInt *> int1;
     SimObjectParam<EtherInt *> int2;
-    Param<Tick> speed;
+    Param<double> speed;
     Param<Tick> delay;
     SimObjectParam<EtherDump *> dump;
 
@@ -281,9 +278,9 @@ BEGIN_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(EtherLink)
 
     INIT_PARAM(int1, "interface 1"),
     INIT_PARAM(int2, "interface 2"),
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(speed, "link speed in bits per second", 100000000),
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(delay, "transmit delay of packets in us", 0),
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(dump, "object to dump network packets to", NULL)
+    INIT_PARAM(speed, "link speed in bits per second"),
+    INIT_PARAM(delay, "transmit delay of packets in us"),
+    INIT_PARAM(dump, "object to dump network packets to")
 
 END_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(EtherLink)
 
diff --git a/dev/etherlink.hh b/dev/etherlink.hh
index 28ab61301..e19471343 100644
--- a/dev/etherlink.hh
+++ b/dev/etherlink.hh
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ class EtherLink : public SimObject
 
   public:
     EtherLink(const std::string &name, EtherInt *peer0, EtherInt *peer1,
-              Tick speed, Tick delay, EtherDump *dump);
+              double rate, Tick delay, EtherDump *dump);
     virtual ~EtherLink();
 
     virtual void serialize(std::ostream &os);
diff --git a/dev/ethertap.cc b/dev/ethertap.cc
index 807765d91..d0474b115 100644
--- a/dev/ethertap.cc
+++ b/dev/ethertap.cc
@@ -237,9 +237,10 @@ EtherTap::process(int revent)
             DPRINTF(Ethernet, "bus busy...buffer for retransmission\n");
             packetBuffer.push(packet);
             if (!txEvent.scheduled())
-                txEvent.schedule(curTick + 1000);
-        } else if (dump)
+                txEvent.schedule(curTick + retryTime);
+        } else if (dump) {
             dump->dump(packet);
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -259,7 +260,7 @@ EtherTap::retransmit()
     }
 
     if (!packetBuffer.empty() && !txEvent.scheduled())
-        txEvent.schedule(curTick + 1000);
+        txEvent.schedule(curTick + retryTime);
 }
 
 //=====================================================================
diff --git a/dev/ide_disk.cc b/dev/ide_disk.cc
index 213fc6a97..90a57bd2f 100644
--- a/dev/ide_disk.cc
+++ b/dev/ide_disk.cc
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@
 using namespace std;
 
 IdeDisk::IdeDisk(const string &name, DiskImage *img, PhysicalMemory *phys,
-                 int id, int delay)
-    : SimObject(name), ctrl(NULL), image(img), physmem(phys),
+                 int id, Tick delay)
+    : SimObject(name), ctrl(NULL), image(img), physmem(phys), diskDelay(delay),
       dmaTransferEvent(this), dmaReadWaitEvent(this),
       dmaWriteWaitEvent(this), dmaPrdReadEvent(this),
       dmaReadEvent(this), dmaWriteEvent(this)
@@ -64,9 +64,6 @@ IdeDisk::IdeDisk(const string &name, DiskImage *img, PhysicalMemory *phys,
     // Reset the device state
     reset(id);
 
-    // calculate disk delay in microseconds
-    diskDelay = (delay * ticksPerSecond / 100000);
-
     // fill out the drive ID structure
     memset(&driveID, 0, sizeof(struct hd_driveid));
 
@@ -354,8 +351,11 @@ IdeDisk::dmaPrdReadDone()
 void
 IdeDisk::doDmaRead()
 {
+    /** @TODO we need to figure out what the delay actually will be */
     Tick totalDiskDelay = diskDelay + (curPrd.getByteCount() / SectorSize);
 
+    DPRINTF(IdeDisk, "doDmaRead, diskDelay: %d totalDiskDelay: %d\n",
+            diskDelay, totalDiskDelay);
     if (dmaInterface) {
         if (dmaInterface->busy()) {
             // reschedule after waiting period
@@ -455,8 +455,12 @@ IdeDisk::dmaReadDone()
 void
 IdeDisk::doDmaWrite()
 {
+    /** @TODO we need to figure out what the delay actually will be */
     Tick totalDiskDelay = diskDelay + (curPrd.getByteCount() / SectorSize);
 
+    DPRINTF(IdeDisk, "doDmaWrite, diskDelay: %d totalDiskDelay: %d\n",
+            diskDelay, totalDiskDelay);
+
     if (dmaInterface) {
         if (dmaInterface->busy()) {
             // reschedule after waiting period
diff --git a/dev/ide_disk.hh b/dev/ide_disk.hh
index 9c6eea623..703625595 100644
--- a/dev/ide_disk.hh
+++ b/dev/ide_disk.hh
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ class IdeDisk : public SimObject
      * @param disk_delay The disk delay in milliseconds
      */
     IdeDisk(const std::string &name, DiskImage *img, PhysicalMemory *phys,
-            int id, int disk_delay);
+            int id, Tick disk_delay);
 
     /**
      * Delete the data buffer.
diff --git a/dev/ns_gige.cc b/dev/ns_gige.cc
index bc3103540..47631642c 100644
--- a/dev/ns_gige.cc
+++ b/dev/ns_gige.cc
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ NSGigE::NSGigE(Params *p)
     : PciDev(p), ioEnable(false),
       txFifo(p->tx_fifo_size), rxFifo(p->rx_fifo_size),
       txPacket(0), rxPacket(0), txPacketBufPtr(NULL), rxPacketBufPtr(NULL),
-      txXferLen(0), rxXferLen(0), txState(txIdle), txEnable(false),
-      CTDD(false),
+      txXferLen(0), rxXferLen(0), cycleTime(p->cycle_time),
+      txState(txIdle), txEnable(false), CTDD(false),
       txFragPtr(0), txDescCnt(0), txDmaState(dmaIdle), rxState(rxIdle),
       rxEnable(false), CRDD(false), rxPktBytes(0),
       rxFragPtr(0), rxDescCnt(0), rxDmaState(dmaIdle), extstsEnable(false),
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ NSGigE::NSGigE(Params *p)
     }
 
 
-    intrDelay = p->intr_delay * Clock::Int::us;
+    intrDelay = p->intr_delay;
     dmaReadDelay = p->dma_read_delay;
     dmaWriteDelay = p->dma_write_delay;
     dmaReadFactor = p->dma_read_factor;
@@ -1833,7 +1833,7 @@ NSGigE::transmit()
 
    if (!txFifo.empty() && !txEvent.scheduled()) {
        DPRINTF(Ethernet, "reschedule transmit\n");
-       txEvent.schedule(curTick + 1000);
+       txEvent.schedule(curTick + retryTime);
    }
 }
 
@@ -2231,9 +2231,9 @@ NSGigE::transferDone()
     DPRINTF(Ethernet, "transfer complete: data in txFifo...schedule xmit\n");
 
     if (txEvent.scheduled())
-        txEvent.reschedule(curTick + 1);
+        txEvent.reschedule(curTick + cycles(1));
     else
-        txEvent.schedule(curTick + 1);
+        txEvent.schedule(curTick + cycles(1));
 }
 
 bool
@@ -2682,6 +2682,7 @@ REGISTER_SIM_OBJECT("NSGigEInt", NSGigEInt)
 BEGIN_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(NSGigE)
 
     Param<Addr> addr;
+    Param<Tick> cycle_time;
     Param<Tick> tx_delay;
     Param<Tick> rx_delay;
     Param<Tick> intr_delay;
@@ -2713,9 +2714,10 @@ END_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(NSGigE)
 BEGIN_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(NSGigE)
 
     INIT_PARAM(addr, "Device Address"),
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(tx_delay, "Transmit Delay", 1000),
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(rx_delay, "Receive Delay", 1000),
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(intr_delay, "Interrupt Delay in microseconds", 0),
+    INIT_PARAM(cycle_time, "State machine processor frequency"),
+    INIT_PARAM(tx_delay, "Transmit Delay"),
+    INIT_PARAM(rx_delay, "Receive Delay"),
+    INIT_PARAM(intr_delay, "Interrupt Delay in microseconds"),
     INIT_PARAM(mmu, "Memory Controller"),
     INIT_PARAM(physmem, "Physical Memory"),
     INIT_PARAM_DFLT(rx_filter, "Enable Receive Filter", true),
@@ -2756,6 +2758,7 @@ CREATE_SIM_OBJECT(NSGigE)
     params->deviceNum = pci_dev;
     params->functionNum = pci_func;
 
+    params->cycle_time = cycle_time;
     params->intr_delay = intr_delay;
     params->pmem = physmem;
     params->tx_delay = tx_delay;
diff --git a/dev/ns_gige.hh b/dev/ns_gige.hh
index 58060edac..544a300c3 100644
--- a/dev/ns_gige.hh
+++ b/dev/ns_gige.hh
@@ -175,6 +175,10 @@ class NSGigE : public PciDev
     ns_desc txDescCache;
     ns_desc rxDescCache;
 
+    /* state machine cycle time */
+    Tick cycleTime;
+    inline Tick cycles(int numCycles) const { return numCycles * cycleTime; }
+
     /* tx State Machine */
     TxState txState;
     bool txEnable;
@@ -324,6 +328,7 @@ class NSGigE : public PciDev
         HierParams *hier;
         Bus *header_bus;
         Bus *payload_bus;
+        Tick cycle_time;
         Tick intr_delay;
         Tick tx_delay;
         Tick rx_delay;
diff --git a/dev/platform.cc b/dev/platform.cc
index cf012352b..adced0c5f 100644
--- a/dev/platform.cc
+++ b/dev/platform.cc
@@ -32,6 +32,15 @@
 
 using namespace std;
 
+Platform::Platform(const string &name, IntrControl *intctrl, PciConfigAll *pci)
+    : SimObject(name), intrctrl(intctrl), pciconfig(pci)
+{
+}
+
+Platform::~Platform()
+{
+}
+
 void
 Platform::postPciInt(int line)
 {
diff --git a/dev/platform.hh b/dev/platform.hh
index 47ca6209f..eb56546be 100644
--- a/dev/platform.hh
+++ b/dev/platform.hh
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@
  * Generic interface for platforms
  */
 
-#ifndef __PLATFORM_HH_
-#define __PLATFORM_HH_
+#ifndef __DEV_PLATFORM_HH__
+#define __DEV_PLATFORM_HH__
 
 #include "sim/sim_object.hh"
 #include "targetarch/isa_traits.hh"
@@ -47,20 +47,16 @@ class Platform : public SimObject
   public:
     /** Pointer to the interrupt controller */
     IntrControl *intrctrl;
+
     /** Pointer to the PCI configuration space */
     PciConfigAll *pciconfig;
 
     /** Pointer to the UART, set by the uart */
     Uart *uart;
 
-    int interrupt_frequency;
-
   public:
-    Platform(const std::string &name, IntrControl *intctrl,
-             PciConfigAll *pci, int intrFreq)
-        : SimObject(name), intrctrl(intctrl), pciconfig(pci),
-          interrupt_frequency(intrFreq) {}
-    virtual ~Platform() {}
+    Platform(const std::string &name, IntrControl *intctrl, PciConfigAll *pci);
+    virtual ~Platform();
     virtual void postConsoleInt() = 0;
     virtual void clearConsoleInt() = 0;
     virtual Tick intrFrequency() = 0;
@@ -69,4 +65,4 @@ class Platform : public SimObject
     virtual Addr pciToDma(Addr pciAddr) const;
 };
 
-#endif // __PLATFORM_HH_
+#endif // __DEV_PLATFORM_HH__
diff --git a/dev/sinic.cc b/dev/sinic.cc
index 13e16afae..9535a58ca 100644
--- a/dev/sinic.cc
+++ b/dev/sinic.cc
@@ -78,10 +78,9 @@ const char *TxStateStrings[] =
 // Sinic PCI Device
 //
 Base::Base(Params *p)
-    : PciDev(p), rxEnable(false), txEnable(false),
-      intrDelay(p->intr_delay * Clock::Int::us),
-      intrTick(0), cpuIntrEnable(false), cpuPendingIntr(false), intrEvent(0),
-      interface(NULL)
+    : PciDev(p), rxEnable(false), txEnable(false), cycleTime(p->cycle_time),
+      intrDelay(p->intr_delay), intrTick(0), cpuIntrEnable(false),
+      cpuPendingIntr(false), intrEvent(0), interface(NULL)
 {
 }
 
@@ -888,7 +887,7 @@ Device::transmit()
   reschedule:
    if (!txFifo.empty() && !txEvent.scheduled()) {
        DPRINTF(Ethernet, "reschedule transmit\n");
-       txEvent.schedule(curTick + 1000);
+       txEvent.schedule(curTick + retryTime);
    }
 }
 
@@ -1025,9 +1024,9 @@ Device::transferDone()
     DPRINTF(Ethernet, "transfer complete: data in txFifo...schedule xmit\n");
 
     if (txEvent.scheduled())
-        txEvent.reschedule(curTick + 1);
+        txEvent.reschedule(curTick + cycles(1));
     else
-        txEvent.schedule(curTick + 1);
+        txEvent.schedule(curTick + cycles(1));
 }
 
 bool
@@ -1361,6 +1360,7 @@ REGISTER_SIM_OBJECT("SinicInt", Interface)
 
 BEGIN_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(Device)
 
+    Param<Tick> cycle_time;
     Param<Tick> tx_delay;
     Param<Tick> rx_delay;
     Param<Tick> intr_delay;
@@ -1393,6 +1393,7 @@ END_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(Device)
 
 BEGIN_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(Device)
 
+    INIT_PARAM(cycle_time, "State machine cycle time"),
     INIT_PARAM_DFLT(tx_delay, "Transmit Delay", 1000),
     INIT_PARAM_DFLT(rx_delay, "Receive Delay", 1000),
     INIT_PARAM_DFLT(intr_delay, "Interrupt Delay in microseconds", 0),
@@ -1431,6 +1432,7 @@ CREATE_SIM_OBJECT(Device)
     params->name = getInstanceName();
     params->intr_delay = intr_delay;
     params->physmem = physmem;
+    params->cycle_time = cycle_time;
     params->tx_delay = tx_delay;
     params->rx_delay = rx_delay;
     params->mmu = mmu;
diff --git a/dev/sinic.hh b/dev/sinic.hh
index 9b8920f3b..6597357a2 100644
--- a/dev/sinic.hh
+++ b/dev/sinic.hh
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ class Base : public PciDev
   protected:
     bool rxEnable;
     bool txEnable;
+    Tick cycleTime;
+    inline Tick cycles(int numCycles) const { return numCycles * cycleTime; }
 
   protected:
     Tick intrDelay;
@@ -79,6 +81,7 @@ class Base : public PciDev
   public:
     struct Params : public PciDev::Params
     {
+        Tick cycle_time;
         Tick intr_delay;
     };
 
diff --git a/dev/tsunami.cc b/dev/tsunami.cc
index c84dde9bc..55a2c5ea6 100644
--- a/dev/tsunami.cc
+++ b/dev/tsunami.cc
@@ -45,9 +45,9 @@
 
 using namespace std;
 
-Tsunami::Tsunami(const string &name, System *s,
-                 IntrControl *ic, PciConfigAll *pci, int intr_freq)
-    : Platform(name, ic, pci, intr_freq), system(s)
+Tsunami::Tsunami(const string &name, System *s, IntrControl *ic,
+                 PciConfigAll *pci)
+    : Platform(name, ic, pci), system(s)
 {
     // set the back pointer from the system to myself
     system->platform = this;
@@ -109,7 +109,6 @@ BEGIN_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(Tsunami)
     SimObjectParam<System *> system;
     SimObjectParam<IntrControl *> intrctrl;
     SimObjectParam<PciConfigAll *> pciconfig;
-    Param<int> interrupt_frequency;
 
 END_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(Tsunami)
 
@@ -117,15 +116,13 @@ BEGIN_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(Tsunami)
 
     INIT_PARAM(system, "system"),
     INIT_PARAM(intrctrl, "interrupt controller"),
-    INIT_PARAM(pciconfig, "PCI configuration"),
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(interrupt_frequency, "frequency of interrupts", 1024)
+    INIT_PARAM(pciconfig, "PCI configuration")
 
 END_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(Tsunami)
 
 CREATE_SIM_OBJECT(Tsunami)
 {
-    return new Tsunami(getInstanceName(), system, intrctrl, pciconfig,
-                       interrupt_frequency);
+    return new Tsunami(getInstanceName(), system, intrctrl, pciconfig);
 }
 
 REGISTER_SIM_OBJECT("Tsunami", Tsunami)
diff --git a/dev/tsunami.hh b/dev/tsunami.hh
index 7722c8417..70dc506fd 100644
--- a/dev/tsunami.hh
+++ b/dev/tsunami.hh
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class Tsunami : public Platform
      * @param intrFreq frequency that interrupts happen
      */
     Tsunami(const std::string &name, System *s, IntrControl *intctrl,
-            PciConfigAll *pci, int intrFreq);
+            PciConfigAll *pci);
 
     /**
      * Return the interrupting frequency to AlphaAccess
diff --git a/dev/tsunami_io.cc b/dev/tsunami_io.cc
index 1e4f44346..895888a09 100644
--- a/dev/tsunami_io.cc
+++ b/dev/tsunami_io.cc
@@ -53,18 +53,18 @@ using namespace std;
 #define UNIX_YEAR_OFFSET 52
 
 // Timer Event for Periodic interrupt of RTC
-TsunamiIO::RTCEvent::RTCEvent(Tsunami* t)
-    : Event(&mainEventQueue), tsunami(t)
+TsunamiIO::RTCEvent::RTCEvent(Tsunami* t, Tick i)
+    : Event(&mainEventQueue), tsunami(t), interval(i)
 {
     DPRINTF(MC146818, "RTC Event Initilizing\n");
-    schedule(curTick + ticksPerSecond/RTC_RATE);
+    schedule(curTick + interval);
 }
 
 void
 TsunamiIO::RTCEvent::process()
 {
     DPRINTF(MC146818, "RTC Timer Interrupt\n");
-    schedule(curTick + ticksPerSecond/RTC_RATE);
+    schedule(curTick + interval);
     //Actually interrupt the processor here
     tsunami->cchip->postRTC();
 }
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ TsunamiIO::RTCEvent::process()
 const char *
 TsunamiIO::RTCEvent::description()
 {
-    return "tsunami RTC 1024Hz interrupt";
+    return "tsunami RTC interrupt";
 }
 
 void
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ TsunamiIO::ClockEvent::process()
 void
 TsunamiIO::ClockEvent::Program(int count)
 {
-    DPRINTF(Tsunami, "Timer set to curTick + %d\n", count);
+    DPRINTF(Tsunami, "Timer set to curTick + %d\n", count * interval);
     schedule(curTick + count * interval);
     status = 0;
 }
@@ -166,8 +166,8 @@ TsunamiIO::ClockEvent::unserialize(Checkpoint *cp, const std::string &section)
 
 TsunamiIO::TsunamiIO(const string &name, Tsunami *t, time_t init_time,
                      Addr a, MemoryController *mmu, HierParams *hier, Bus *bus,
-                     Tick pio_latency)
-    : PioDevice(name, t), addr(a), tsunami(t), rtc(t)
+                     Tick pio_latency, Tick ci)
+    : PioDevice(name, t), addr(a), clockInterval(ci), tsunami(t), rtc(t, ci)
 {
     mmu->add_child(this, RangeSize(addr, size));
 
@@ -188,6 +188,12 @@ TsunamiIO::TsunamiIO(const string &name, Tsunami *t, time_t init_time,
     picInterrupting = false;
 }
 
+Tick
+TsunamiIO::frequency() const
+{
+    return Clock::Frequency / clockInterval;
+}
+
 void
 TsunamiIO::set_time(time_t t)
 {
@@ -485,26 +491,27 @@ BEGIN_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(TsunamiIO)
     SimObjectParam<Bus*> io_bus;
     Param<Tick> pio_latency;
     SimObjectParam<HierParams *> hier;
+    Param<Tick> frequency;
 
 END_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(TsunamiIO)
 
 BEGIN_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(TsunamiIO)
 
     INIT_PARAM(tsunami, "Tsunami"),
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(time, "System time to use "
-            "(0 for actual time, default is 1/1/06", ULL(1136073600)),
+    INIT_PARAM(time, "System time to use (0 for actual time"),
     INIT_PARAM(mmu, "Memory Controller"),
     INIT_PARAM(addr, "Device Address"),
     INIT_PARAM_DFLT(io_bus, "The IO Bus to attach to", NULL),
     INIT_PARAM_DFLT(pio_latency, "Programmed IO latency in bus cycles", 1),
-    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(hier, "Hierarchy global variables", &defaultHierParams)
+    INIT_PARAM_DFLT(hier, "Hierarchy global variables", &defaultHierParams),
+    INIT_PARAM(frequency, "clock interrupt frequency")
 
 END_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(TsunamiIO)
 
 CREATE_SIM_OBJECT(TsunamiIO)
 {
     return new TsunamiIO(getInstanceName(), tsunami, time,  addr, mmu, hier,
-                         io_bus, pio_latency);
+                         io_bus, pio_latency, frequency);
 }
 
 REGISTER_SIM_OBJECT("TsunamiIO", TsunamiIO)
diff --git a/dev/tsunami_io.hh b/dev/tsunami_io.hh
index a9f044ec9..9d74ccdef 100644
--- a/dev/tsunami_io.hh
+++ b/dev/tsunami_io.hh
@@ -38,9 +38,6 @@
 #include "dev/tsunami.hh"
 #include "sim/eventq.hh"
 
-/** How often the RTC interrupts */
-static const int RTC_RATE  = 1024;
-
 /*
  * Tsunami I/O device is a catch all for all the south bridge stuff we care
  * to implement.
@@ -136,10 +133,14 @@ class TsunamiIO : public PioDevice
       protected:
         /** A pointer back to tsunami to create interrupt the processor. */
         Tsunami* tsunami;
+        Tick interval;
+
       public:
-        /** RTC Event initializes the RTC event by scheduling an event
-         * RTC_RATE times pre second. */
-        RTCEvent(Tsunami* t);
+        /**
+         * RTC Event initializes the RTC event by scheduling an event
+         * RTC_RATE times pre second.
+         */
+        RTCEvent(Tsunami* t, Tick i);
 
         /**
          * Interrupth the processor and reschedule the event.
@@ -191,6 +192,8 @@ class TsunamiIO : public PioDevice
     /** Is the pic interrupting right now or not. */
     bool picInterrupting;
 
+    Tick clockInterval;
+
     /** A pointer to the Tsunami device which be belong to */
     Tsunami *tsunami;
 
@@ -225,7 +228,7 @@ class TsunamiIO : public PioDevice
      * Return the freqency of the RTC
      * @return interrupt rate of the RTC
      */
-    Tick  frequency() const { return RTC_RATE; }
+    Tick frequency() const;
 
     /**
      * Initialize all the data for devices supported by Tsunami I/O.
@@ -237,7 +240,7 @@ class TsunamiIO : public PioDevice
      */
     TsunamiIO(const std::string &name, Tsunami *t, time_t init_time,
               Addr a, MemoryController *mmu, HierParams *hier, Bus *bus,
-              Tick pio_latency);
+              Tick pio_latency, Tick ci);
 
     /**
      * Create the tm struct from seconds since 1970
diff --git a/kern/linux/linux_system.cc b/kern/linux/linux_system.cc
index 4ac03143e..b6aa9c6f2 100644
--- a/kern/linux/linux_system.cc
+++ b/kern/linux/linux_system.cc
@@ -68,7 +68,8 @@ LinuxSystem::LinuxSystem(Params *p)
             physmem->dma_addr(paddr, sizeof(uint64_t));
 
         if (est_cycle_frequency)
-            *(uint64_t *)est_cycle_frequency = htoa(ticksPerSecond);
+            *(uint64_t *)est_cycle_frequency =
+                Clock::Frequency / p->boot_cpu_frequency;
     }
 
 
@@ -206,8 +207,8 @@ LinuxSystem::setDelayLoop(ExecContext *xc)
         uint8_t *loops_per_jiffy =
             physmem->dma_addr(paddr, sizeof(uint32_t));
 
-        Tick cpuFreq = xc->cpu->getFreq();
-        Tick intrFreq = platform->interrupt_frequency;
+        Tick cpuFreq = xc->cpu->frequency();
+        Tick intrFreq = platform->intrFrequency();
         *(uint32_t *)loops_per_jiffy =
             (uint32_t)((cpuFreq / intrFreq) * 0.9988);
     }
@@ -215,6 +216,7 @@ LinuxSystem::setDelayLoop(ExecContext *xc)
 
 BEGIN_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(LinuxSystem)
 
+    Param<Tick> boot_cpu_frequency;
     SimObjectParam<MemoryController *> memctrl;
     SimObjectParam<PhysicalMemory *> physmem;
 
@@ -237,6 +239,7 @@ END_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(LinuxSystem)
 
 BEGIN_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(LinuxSystem)
 
+    INIT_PARAM(boot_cpu_frequency, "Frequency of the boot CPU"),
     INIT_PARAM(memctrl, "memory controller"),
     INIT_PARAM(physmem, "phsyical memory"),
     INIT_PARAM(kernel, "file that contains the kernel code"),
@@ -258,6 +261,7 @@ CREATE_SIM_OBJECT(LinuxSystem)
 {
     System::Params *p = new System::Params;
     p->name = getInstanceName();
+    p->boot_cpu_frequency = boot_cpu_frequency;
     p->memctrl = memctrl;
     p->physmem = physmem;
     p->kernel_path = kernel;
diff --git a/kern/tru64/tru64_system.cc b/kern/tru64/tru64_system.cc
index 7a2e033d8..e0ec31a43 100644
--- a/kern/tru64/tru64_system.cc
+++ b/kern/tru64/tru64_system.cc
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 
 #include "base/loader/symtab.hh"
 #include "base/trace.hh"
+#include "cpu/base_cpu.hh"
 #include "cpu/exec_context.hh"
 #include "kern/tru64/tru64_events.hh"
 #include "kern/tru64/tru64_system.hh"
@@ -116,6 +117,7 @@ Tru64System::~Tru64System()
 
 BEGIN_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(Tru64System)
 
+    Param<Tick> boot_cpu_frequency;
     SimObjectParam<MemoryController *> memctrl;
     SimObjectParam<PhysicalMemory *> physmem;
 
@@ -137,6 +139,7 @@ END_DECLARE_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(Tru64System)
 
 BEGIN_INIT_SIM_OBJECT_PARAMS(Tru64System)
 
+    INIT_PARAM(boot_cpu_frequency, "frequency of the boot cpu"),
     INIT_PARAM(memctrl, "memory controller"),
     INIT_PARAM(physmem, "phsyical memory"),
     INIT_PARAM(kernel, "file that contains the kernel code"),
@@ -157,6 +160,7 @@ CREATE_SIM_OBJECT(Tru64System)
 {
     System::Params *p = new System::Params;
     p->name = getInstanceName();
+    p->boot_cpu_frequency = boot_cpu_frequency;
     p->memctrl = memctrl;
     p->physmem = physmem;
     p->kernel_path = kernel;
diff --git a/python/m5/config.py b/python/m5/config.py
index e260c57a7..74988109b 100644
--- a/python/m5/config.py
+++ b/python/m5/config.py
@@ -265,7 +265,6 @@ def isParamContext(value):
     except:
         return False
 
-
 class_decorator = 'M5M5_SIMOBJECT_'
 expr_decorator = 'M5M5_EXPRESSION_'
 dot_decorator = '_M5M5_DOT_'
@@ -652,6 +651,14 @@ class Node(object):
                               'parent.any matched more than one: %s %s' % \
                               (obj.path, child.path)
                     obj = child
+            for param in self.params:
+                if isConfigNode(param.ptype):
+                    continue
+                if issubclass(param.ptype, realtype):
+                    if obj is not None:
+                        raise AttributeError, \
+                              'parent.any matched more than one: %s' % obj.path
+                    obj = param.value
             return obj, obj is not None
 
         try:
@@ -672,7 +679,7 @@ class Node(object):
                 return Proxy.getindex(value, index), True
             elif obj.param_names.has_key(last):
                 value = obj.param_names[last]
-                realtype._convert(value.value)
+                #realtype._convert(value.value)
                 return Proxy.getindex(value.value, index), True
         except KeyError:
             pass
@@ -731,9 +738,18 @@ class Node(object):
                     raise AttributeError, 'Parameter with no value'
 
                 value = param.convert(param.value)
+                if hasattr(value, 'relative') and value.relative and value:
+                    if param.name == 'cycle_time':
+                        start = self.parent
+                    else:
+                        start = self
+                    val = start.unproxy(parent.cycle_time,
+                                        (Frequency, Latency, ClockPeriod))
+                    value.clock = Frequency._convert(val)
                 string = param.string(value)
             except Exception, e:
-                msg = 'exception in %s:%s\n%s' % (self.path, param.name, e)
+                msg = 'exception in %s:%s=%s\n%s' % (self.path, param.name,
+                                                     value, e)
                 e.args = (msg, )
                 raise
 
@@ -765,6 +781,9 @@ class Node(object):
                     raise AttributeError, 'Parameter with no value'
 
                 value = param.convert(param.value)
+                if param.ptype in (Frequency, Latency, ClockPeriod):
+                    val = self.parent.unproxy(parent.frequency, Frequency)
+                    param.clock = Frequency._convert(val)
                 string = param.string(value)
             except Exception, e:
                 msg = 'exception in %s:%s\n%s' % (self.name, param.name, e)
@@ -1382,27 +1401,33 @@ class RootFrequency(float,ParamType):
     _convert = classmethod(_convert)
 
     def _string(cls, value):
-        return '%d' % int(value)
+        return '%d' % int(round(value))
     _string = classmethod(_string)
 
 class ClockPeriod(float,ParamType):
     _cpp_param_decl = 'Tick'
     def __new__(cls, value):
+        absolute = False
         relative = False
         try:
             val = toClockPeriod(value)
         except ValueError, e:
-            relative = True
             if value.endswith('f'):
                 val = float(value[:-1])
                 if val:
                     val = 1 / val
+                relative = True
             elif value.endswith('c'):
                 val = float(value[:-1])
+                relative = True
+            elif value.endswith('t'):
+                val = float(value[:-1])
+                absolute = True
             else:
                 raise e
 
         self = super(cls, ClockPeriod).__new__(cls, val)
+        self.absolute = absolute
         self.relative = relative
         return self
 
@@ -1411,10 +1436,14 @@ class ClockPeriod(float,ParamType):
     _convert = classmethod(_convert)
 
     def _string(cls, value):
-        if not value.relative:
-            value *= root_frequency
+        if value and not value.absolute:
+            if value.relative:
+                base = root_frequency / value.clock
+            else:
+                base = root_frequency
+            value *= base
 
-        return '%d' % int(value)
+        return '%d' % int(round(value))
     _string = classmethod(_string)
 
 class Frequency(float,ParamType):
@@ -1439,15 +1468,21 @@ class Frequency(float,ParamType):
     _convert = classmethod(_convert)
 
     def _string(cls, value):
-        if not value.relative:
-            value = root_frequency / value
+        if value:
+            if value.relative:
+                base = root_frequency / value.clock
+            else:
+                base = root_frequency
+
+            value = base / value
 
-        return '%d' % int(value)
+        return '%d' % int(round(value))
     _string = classmethod(_string)
 
 class Latency(float,ParamType):
     _cpp_param_decl = 'Tick'
     def __new__(cls, value):
+        absolute = False
         relative = False
         try:
             val = toLatency(value)
@@ -1455,9 +1490,13 @@ class Latency(float,ParamType):
             if value.endswith('c'):
                 val = float(value[:-1])
                 relative = True
+            elif value.endswith('t'):
+                val = float(value[:-1])
+                absolute = True
             else:
                 raise e
         self = super(cls, Latency).__new__(cls, val)
+        self.absolute = absolute
         self.relative = relative
         return self
 
@@ -1466,11 +1505,44 @@ class Latency(float,ParamType):
     _convert = classmethod(_convert)
 
     def _string(cls, value):
-        if not value.relative:
-            value *= root_frequency
-        return '%d' % value
+        if value and not value.absolute:
+            if value.relative:
+                base = root_frequency / value.clock
+            else:
+                base = root_frequency
+            value *= base
+        return '%d' % int(round(value))
     _string = classmethod(_string)
 
+class NetworkBandwidth(float,ParamType):
+    _cpp_param_decl = 'float'
+    def __new__(cls, value):
+        val = toNetworkBandwidth(value) / 8.0
+        return super(cls, NetworkBandwidth).__new__(cls, val)
+
+    def _convert(cls, value):
+        return cls(value)
+    _convert = classmethod(_convert)
+
+    def _string(cls, value):
+        value = root_frequency / value
+        return '%f' % value
+    _string = classmethod(_string)
+
+class MemoryBandwidth(float,ParamType):
+    _cpp_param_decl = 'float'
+    def __new__(self, value):
+        val = toMemoryBandwidth(value)
+        return super(cls, MemoryBandwidth).__new__(cls, val)
+
+    def _convert(cls, value):
+        return cls(value)
+    _convert = classmethod(_convert)
+
+    def _string(cls, value):
+        value = root_frequency / value
+        return '%f' % value
+    _string = classmethod(_string)
 
 # Some memory range specifications use this as a default upper bound.
 MaxAddr = Addr.max
@@ -1518,6 +1590,6 @@ __all__ = ['ConfigNode', 'SimObject', 'ParamContext', 'Param', 'VectorParam',
            'Int32', 'UInt32', 'Int64', 'UInt64',
            'Counter', 'Addr', 'Tick', 'Percent',
            'MemorySize', 'RootFrequency', 'Frequency', 'Latency',
-           'ClockPeriod',
+           'ClockPeriod', 'NetworkBandwidth', 'MemoryBandwidth',
            'Range', 'AddrRange', 'MaxAddr', 'MaxTick', 'AllMemory', 'NULL',
            'NextEthernetAddr', 'instantiate']
diff --git a/python/m5/objects/BaseCPU.mpy b/python/m5/objects/BaseCPU.mpy
index d84e30e53..707d1b94f 100644
--- a/python/m5/objects/BaseCPU.mpy
+++ b/python/m5/objects/BaseCPU.mpy
@@ -23,3 +23,5 @@ simobj BaseCPU(SimObject):
 
     defer_registration = Param.Bool(False,
         "defer registration with system (for sampling)")
+
+    cycle_time = Param.ClockPeriod(parent.frequency, "clock speed")
diff --git a/python/m5/objects/BaseCache.mpy b/python/m5/objects/BaseCache.mpy
index 214e0555c..da0c7c50e 100644
--- a/python/m5/objects/BaseCache.mpy
+++ b/python/m5/objects/BaseCache.mpy
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ simobj BaseCache(BaseMem):
     block_size = Param.Int("block size in bytes")
     compressed_bus = Param.Bool(False,
         "This cache connects to a compressed memory")
-    compression_latency = Param.Int(0,
+    compression_latency = Param.Latency('0c',
         "Latency in cycles of compression algorithm")
     do_copy = Param.Bool(False, "perform fast copies in the cache")
     hash_delay = Param.Int(1, "time in cycles of hash access")
@@ -58,3 +58,5 @@ simobj BaseCache(BaseMem):
          "Check if in cash on push or pop of prefetch queue")
     prefetch_use_cpu_id = Param.Bool(True,
          "Use the CPU ID to seperate calculations of prefetches")
+    prefetch_data_accesses_only = Param.Bool(False,
+         "Only prefetch on data not on instruction accesses")
diff --git a/python/m5/objects/BaseSystem.mpy b/python/m5/objects/BaseSystem.mpy
index 450b6a58e..29fe3e1d9 100644
--- a/python/m5/objects/BaseSystem.mpy
+++ b/python/m5/objects/BaseSystem.mpy
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 simobj BaseSystem(SimObject):
     type = 'BaseSystem'
     abstract = True
+    boot_cpu_frequency = Param.ClockPeriod(parent.cpu[0].cycle_time,
+        "Boot Processor Frequency")
     memctrl = Param.MemoryController(parent.any, "memory controller")
     physmem = Param.PhysicalMemory(parent.any, "phsyical memory")
     kernel = Param.String("file that contains the kernel code")
diff --git a/python/m5/objects/Ethernet.mpy b/python/m5/objects/Ethernet.mpy
index 3acd8d04d..ed95ce233 100644
--- a/python/m5/objects/Ethernet.mpy
+++ b/python/m5/objects/Ethernet.mpy
@@ -10,16 +10,15 @@ simobj EtherLink(SimObject):
     type = 'EtherLink'
     int1 = Param.EtherInt("interface 1")
     int2 = Param.EtherInt("interface 2")
-    delay = Param.Tick(0, "transmit delay of packets in us")
-    speed = Param.Tick(100000000, "link speed in bits per second")
+    delay = Param.Latency('0us', "packet transmit delay")
+    speed = Param.NetworkBandwidth('100Mbps', "link speed")
     dump = Param.EtherDump(NULL, "dump object")
 
 simobj EtherBus(SimObject):
     type = 'EtherBus'
-    loopback = Param.Bool(True,
-        "send packet back to the interface from which it came")
+    loopback = Param.Bool(True, "send packet back to the sending interface")
     dump = Param.EtherDump(NULL, "dump object")
-    speed = Param.UInt64(100000000, "bus speed in bits per second")
+    speed = Param.NetworkBandwidth('100Mbps', "bus speed in bits per second")
 
 simobj EtherTap(EtherInt):
     type = 'EtherTap'
@@ -38,16 +37,16 @@ simobj EtherDev(DmaDevice):
 
     dma_data_free = Param.Bool(False, "DMA of Data is free")
     dma_desc_free = Param.Bool(False, "DMA of Descriptors is free")
-    dma_read_delay = Param.Tick(0, "fixed delay for dma reads")
-    dma_read_factor = Param.Tick(0, "multiplier for dma reads")
-    dma_write_delay = Param.Tick(0, "fixed delay for dma writes")
-    dma_write_factor = Param.Tick(0, "multiplier for dma writes")
+    dma_read_delay = Param.Latency('0us', "fixed delay for dma reads")
+    dma_read_factor = Param.Latency('0us', "multiplier for dma reads")
+    dma_write_delay = Param.Latency('0us', "fixed delay for dma writes")
+    dma_write_factor = Param.Latency('0us', "multiplier for dma writes")
 
     rx_filter = Param.Bool(True, "Enable Receive Filter")
-    rx_delay = Param.Tick(1000, "Receive Delay")
-    tx_delay = Param.Tick(1000, "Transmit Delay")
+    rx_delay = Param.Latency('1us', "Receive Delay")
+    tx_delay = Param.Latency('1us', "Transmit Delay")
 
-    intr_delay = Param.Tick(0, "Interrupt Delay in microseconds")
+    intr_delay = Param.Latency('0us', "Interrupt Delay")
     payload_bus = Param.Bus(NULL, "The IO Bus to attach to for payload")
     physmem = Param.PhysicalMemory(parent.any, "Physical Memory")
     tlaser = Param.Turbolaser(parent.any, "Turbolaser")
@@ -57,21 +56,23 @@ simobj NSGigE(PciDevice):
     hardware_address = Param.EthernetAddr(NextEthernetAddr,
         "Ethernet Hardware Address")
 
+    cycle_time = Param.Frequency('100MHz', "State machine processor frequency")
+
     dma_data_free = Param.Bool(False, "DMA of Data is free")
     dma_desc_free = Param.Bool(False, "DMA of Descriptors is free")
-    dma_read_delay = Param.Tick(0, "fixed delay for dma reads")
-    dma_read_factor = Param.Tick(0, "multiplier for dma reads")
-    dma_write_delay = Param.Tick(0, "fixed delay for dma writes")
-    dma_write_factor = Param.Tick(0, "multiplier for dma writes")
+    dma_read_delay = Param.Latency('0us', "fixed delay for dma reads")
+    dma_read_factor = Param.Latency('0us', "multiplier for dma reads")
+    dma_write_delay = Param.Latency('0us', "fixed delay for dma writes")
+    dma_write_factor = Param.Latency('0us', "multiplier for dma writes")
 
     rx_filter = Param.Bool(True, "Enable Receive Filter")
-    rx_delay = Param.Tick(1000, "Receive Delay")
-    tx_delay = Param.Tick(1000, "Transmit Delay")
+    rx_delay = Param.Latency('1us', "Receive Delay")
+    tx_delay = Param.Latency('1us', "Transmit Delay")
 
     rx_fifo_size = Param.MemorySize('128kB', "max size in bytes of rxFifo")
     tx_fifo_size = Param.MemorySize('128kB', "max size in bytes of txFifo")
 
-    intr_delay = Param.Tick(0, "Interrupt Delay in microseconds")
+    intr_delay = Param.Latency('0us', "Interrupt Delay in microseconds")
     payload_bus = Param.Bus(NULL, "The IO Bus to attach to for payload")
     physmem = Param.PhysicalMemory(parent.any, "Physical Memory")
 
diff --git a/python/m5/objects/Ide.mpy b/python/m5/objects/Ide.mpy
index 786109efa..02b1d9567 100644
--- a/python/m5/objects/Ide.mpy
+++ b/python/m5/objects/Ide.mpy
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ class IdeID(Enum): vals = ['master', 'slave']
 
 simobj IdeDisk(SimObject):
     type = 'IdeDisk'
-    delay = Param.Tick(1, "Fixed disk delay in microseconds")
+    delay = Param.Latency('1us', "Fixed disk delay in microseconds")
     driveID = Param.IdeID('master', "Drive ID")
     image = Param.DiskImage("Disk image")
     physmem = Param.PhysicalMemory(parent.any, "Physical memory")
diff --git a/python/m5/objects/Platform.mpy b/python/m5/objects/Platform.mpy
index a71ab3b77..166f3f4a1 100644
--- a/python/m5/objects/Platform.mpy
+++ b/python/m5/objects/Platform.mpy
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 simobj Platform(SimObject):
     type = 'Platform'
     abstract = True
-    interrupt_frequency = Param.Tick(1200, "frequency of interrupts")
     intrctrl = Param.IntrControl(parent.any, "interrupt controller")
diff --git a/python/m5/objects/Tsunami.mpy b/python/m5/objects/Tsunami.mpy
index a8471cee2..c17eae121 100644
--- a/python/m5/objects/Tsunami.mpy
+++ b/python/m5/objects/Tsunami.mpy
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ simobj Tsunami(Platform):
     type = 'Tsunami'
     pciconfig = Param.PciConfigAll("PCI configuration")
     system = Param.BaseSystem(parent.any, "system")
-    interrupt_frequency = Param.Int(1024, "frequency of interrupts")
 
 simobj TsunamiCChip(FooPioDevice):
     type = 'TsunamiCChip'
@@ -19,6 +18,7 @@ simobj TsunamiIO(FooPioDevice):
     time = Param.UInt64(1136073600,
         "System time to use (0 for actual time, default is 1/1/06)")
     tsunami = Param.Tsunami(parent.any, "Tsunami")
+    frequency = Param.Frequency('1024Hz', "frequency of interrupts")
 
 simobj TsunamiPChip(FooPioDevice):
     type = 'TsunamiPChip'
diff --git a/sim/eventq.hh b/sim/eventq.hh
index d62e7df10..a0bb851c0 100644
--- a/sim/eventq.hh
+++ b/sim/eventq.hh
@@ -305,7 +305,11 @@ class EventQueue : public Serializable
             if (nextTick() > when)
                 break;
 
-            assert(head->when() >= when && "event scheduled in the past");
+            /**
+             * @todo this assert is a good bug catcher.  I need to
+             * make it true again.
+             */
+            //assert(head->when() >= when && "event scheduled in the past");
             serviceOne();
         }
     }
diff --git a/sim/process.cc b/sim/process.cc
index c18b31da7..3541fd040 100644
--- a/sim/process.cc
+++ b/sim/process.cc
@@ -162,9 +162,7 @@ Process::startup()
     // first exec context for this process... initialize & enable
     ExecContext *xc = execContexts[0];
 
-    // mark this context as active.
-    // activate with zero delay so that we start ticking right
-    // away on cycle 0
+    // mark this context as active so it will start ticking.
     xc->activate(0);
 }
 
diff --git a/sim/serialize.cc b/sim/serialize.cc
index 846d191e0..52008c394 100644
--- a/sim/serialize.cc
+++ b/sim/serialize.cc
@@ -46,10 +46,14 @@
 #include "sim/param.hh"
 #include "sim/serialize.hh"
 #include "sim/sim_events.hh"
+#include "sim/sim_exit.hh"
 #include "sim/sim_object.hh"
 
 using namespace std;
 
+int Serializable::maxCount;
+int Serializable::count;
+
 void
 Serializable::nameOut(ostream &os)
 {
@@ -224,6 +228,9 @@ Globals::unserialize(Checkpoint *cp)
 void
 Serializable::serializeAll()
 {
+    if (maxCount && count++ > maxCount)
+        exitNow("Maximum number of checkpoints dropped", 0);
+
     string dir = Checkpoint::dir();
     if (mkdir(dir.c_str(), 0775) == -1 && errno != EEXIST)
             fatal("couldn't mkdir %s\n", dir);
@@ -321,7 +328,8 @@ Param<Counter> serialize_period(&serialParams,
                                 "period to repeat serializations",
                                 0);
 
-
+Param<int> serialize_count(&serialParams, "count",
+                           "maximum number of checkpoints to drop");
 
 SerializeParamContext::SerializeParamContext(const string &section)
     : ParamContext(section), event(NULL)
@@ -342,6 +350,8 @@ SerializeParamContext::checkParams()
 
     if (serialize_cycle > 0)
         Checkpoint::setup(serialize_cycle, serialize_period);
+
+    Serializable::maxCount = serialize_count;
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/sim/serialize.hh b/sim/serialize.hh
index 5df168665..de208265e 100644
--- a/sim/serialize.hh
+++ b/sim/serialize.hh
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ class Serializable
     static Serializable *create(Checkpoint *cp,
                                  const std::string &section);
 
+    static int count;
+    static int maxCount;
     static void serializeAll();
     static void unserializeGlobals(Checkpoint *cp);
 };
diff --git a/sim/system.hh b/sim/system.hh
index 07881ff01..4f003f282 100644
--- a/sim/system.hh
+++ b/sim/system.hh
@@ -37,14 +37,15 @@
 #include "kern/system_events.hh"
 #include "sim/sim_object.hh"
 
+class BaseCPU;
+class ExecContext;
+class GDBListener;
 class MemoryController;
+class ObjectFile;
 class PhysicalMemory;
 class Platform;
 class RemoteGDB;
-class GDBListener;
 class SymbolTable;
-class ObjectFile;
-class ExecContext;
 namespace Kernel { class Binning; }
 
 class System : public SimObject
@@ -101,6 +102,7 @@ class System : public SimObject
     struct Params
     {
         std::string name;
+        Tick boot_cpu_frequency;
         MemoryController *memctrl;
         PhysicalMemory *physmem;
         uint64_t init_param;
diff --git a/sim/universe.cc b/sim/universe.cc
index 5ae41eefd..ecf54c2e7 100644
--- a/sim/universe.cc
+++ b/sim/universe.cc
@@ -108,8 +108,6 @@ CREATE_SIM_OBJECT(Root)
     outputStream = simout.find(output_file);
     Root *root = new Root(getInstanceName());
 
-    ticksPerSecond = frequency;
-
     using namespace Clock;
     Frequency = frequency;
     Float::s = static_cast<double>(Frequency);