[ros-dev] Using zones in NTOS

[KJK::Hyperion]

At 14.48 23/10/2004, you wrote:
>What are the advantages in using zones when allocating memory in kernel mode?

I assume you use "zone" as the old word for "lookaside lists". Since there 
only are two possible kernel-mode pools vs infinite user-mode heaps, they 
are a way to have a sort of specialized "private heap" for frequent, small 
allocations (like IRPs and MDLs). They spare you frequent calls to the 
heavier (and globally locking - I don't know if reentrancy issues allow you 
to have a lock-free implementation) pool allocator

>Are there other ways to pre-allocate an address range to be used for small 
>memory objects management (NP pool)?

Aside from rolling your own, no. Lookaside lists would still have the 
advantage of being traced and profiled