diff --git a/common/cmd_mp.c b/common/cmd_mp.c
index faa870013..71e430362 100644
--- a/common/cmd_mp.c
+++ b/common/cmd_mp.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2008 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
+ * Copyright 2008-2009 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
  *
  * See file CREDITS for list of people who contributed to this
  * project.
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@ cpu_cmd(cmd_tbl_t *cmdtp, int flag, int argc, char *argv[])
 	}
 
 	cpuid = simple_strtoul(argv[1], NULL, 10);
-	if (cpuid >= CONFIG_NUM_CPUS) {
+	if (cpuid >= cpu_numcores()) {
 		printf ("Core num: %lu is out of range[0..%d]\n",
-				cpuid, CONFIG_NUM_CPUS - 1);
+				cpuid, cpu_numcores() - 1);
 		return 1;
 	}
 
diff --git a/cpu/mpc85xx/cpu.c b/cpu/mpc85xx/cpu.c
index 4724f2764..6be98dc35 100644
--- a/cpu/mpc85xx/cpu.c
+++ b/cpu/mpc85xx/cpu.c
@@ -54,24 +54,23 @@ int checkcpu (void)
 	int i;
 
 	svr = get_svr();
-	ver = SVR_SOC_VER(svr);
 	major = SVR_MAJ(svr);
 #ifdef CONFIG_MPC8536
 	major &= 0x7; /* the msb of this nibble is a mfg code */
 #endif
 	minor = SVR_MIN(svr);
 
-#if (CONFIG_NUM_CPUS > 1)
-	volatile ccsr_pic_t *pic = (void *)(CONFIG_SYS_MPC85xx_PIC_ADDR);
-	printf("CPU%d:  ", pic->whoami);
-#else
-	puts("CPU:   ");
-#endif
+	if (cpu_numcores() > 1) {
+		volatile ccsr_pic_t *pic = (void *)(CONFIG_SYS_MPC85xx_PIC_ADDR);
+		printf("CPU%d:  ", pic->whoami);
+	} else {
+		puts("CPU:   ");
+	}
 
-	cpu = identify_cpu(ver);
-	if (cpu) {
+	cpu = gd->cpu;
+
+	if (cpu->name) {
 		puts(cpu->name);
-
 		if (IS_E_PROCESSOR(svr))
 			puts("E");
 	} else {
@@ -104,7 +103,7 @@ int checkcpu (void)
 	get_sys_info(&sysinfo);
 
 	puts("Clock Configuration:");
-	for (i = 0; i < CONFIG_NUM_CPUS; i++) {
+	for (i = 0; i < cpu_numcores(); i++) {
 		if (!(i & 3))
 			printf ("\n       ");
 		printf("CPU%d:%-4s MHz, ",
diff --git a/cpu/mpc85xx/mp.c b/cpu/mpc85xx/mp.c
index 76f02a491..2df55c71d 100644
--- a/cpu/mpc85xx/mp.c
+++ b/cpu/mpc85xx/mp.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2008 Freescale Semiconductor.
+ * Copyright 2008-2009 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
  *
  * See file CREDITS for list of people who contributed to this
  * project.
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ static void pq3_mp_up(unsigned long bootpg)
 	out_be32(&gur->devdisr, devdisr);
 
 	/* release the hounds */
-	up = ((1 << CONFIG_NUM_CPUS) - 1);
+	up = ((1 << cpu_numcores()) - 1);
 	bpcr = in_be32(&ecm->eebpcr);
 	bpcr |= (up << 24);
 	out_be32(&ecm->eebpcr, bpcr);
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ static void pq3_mp_up(unsigned long bootpg)
 	/* wait for everyone */
 	while (timeout) {
 		int i;
-		for (i = 0; i < CONFIG_NUM_CPUS; i++) {
+		for (i = 0; i < cpu_numcores(); i++) {
 			if (table[i * NUM_BOOT_ENTRY + BOOT_ENTRY_ADDR_LOWER])
 				cpu_up_mask |= (1 << i);
 		};
diff --git a/cpu/mpc85xx/release.S b/cpu/mpc85xx/release.S
index fbefc2c31..2d4f219a3 100644
--- a/cpu/mpc85xx/release.S
+++ b/cpu/mpc85xx/release.S
@@ -1,3 +1,26 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2008-2009 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
+ * Kumar Gala <kumar.gala@freescale.com>
+ *
+ * See file CREDITS for list of people who contributed to this
+ * project.
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of
+ * the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston,
+ * MA 02111-1307 USA
+ */
+
 #include <config.h>
 #include <mpc85xx.h>
 #include <version.h>
@@ -203,7 +226,7 @@ __secondary_start_page:
 	.align L1_CACHE_SHIFT
 	.globl __spin_table
 __spin_table:
-	.space CONFIG_NUM_CPUS*ENTRY_SIZE
+	.space CONFIG_MAX_CPUS*ENTRY_SIZE
 
 	/* Fill in the empty space.  The actual reset vector is
 	 * the last word of the page */
diff --git a/cpu/mpc85xx/speed.c b/cpu/mpc85xx/speed.c
index 286b6b28e..3ef49b456 100644
--- a/cpu/mpc85xx/speed.c
+++ b/cpu/mpc85xx/speed.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2004, 2007-2009 Freescale Semiconductor Inc.
+ * Copyright 2004, 2007-2009 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
  * (C) Copyright 2003 Motorola Inc.
  * Xianghua Xiao, (X.Xiao@motorola.com)
  *
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ void get_sys_info (sys_info_t * sysInfo)
 	/* Divide before multiply to avoid integer
 	 * overflow for processor speeds above 2GHz */
 	half_freqSystemBus = sysInfo->freqSystemBus/2;
-	for (i = 0; i < CONFIG_NUM_CPUS; i++) {
+	for (i = 0; i < cpu_numcores(); i++) {
 		e500_ratio = ((gur->porpllsr) >> (i * 8 + 16)) & 0x3f;
 		sysInfo->freqProcessor[i] = e500_ratio * half_freqSystemBus;
 	}
diff --git a/cpu/mpc86xx/cpu.c b/cpu/mpc86xx/cpu.c
index 32d06d20e..04409cec6 100644
--- a/cpu/mpc86xx/cpu.c
+++ b/cpu/mpc86xx/cpu.c
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@
 #include <mpc86xx.h>
 #include <asm/fsl_law.h>
 
+DECLARE_GLOBAL_DATA_PTR;
+
 /*
  * Default board reset function
  */
@@ -61,12 +63,12 @@ checkcpu(void)
 
 	puts("CPU:   ");
 
-	cpu = identify_cpu(ver);
-	if (cpu) {
+	cpu = gd->cpu;
+
+	if (cpu->name)
 		puts(cpu->name);
-	} else {
+	else
 		puts("Unknown");
-	}
 
 	printf(", Version: %d.%d, (0x%08x)\n", major, minor, svr);
 	puts("Core:  ");
diff --git a/cpu/mpc86xx/cpu_init.c b/cpu/mpc86xx/cpu_init.c
index 341e81596..5a78a9cdc 100644
--- a/cpu/mpc86xx/cpu_init.c
+++ b/cpu/mpc86xx/cpu_init.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2004 Freescale Semiconductor.
+ * Copyright 2004,2009 Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
  * Jeff Brown
  * Srikanth Srinivasan (srikanth.srinivasan@freescale.com)
  *
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ void cpu_init_f(void)
  */
 int cpu_init_r(void)
 {
-#if (CONFIG_NUM_CPUS > 1)
+#if defined(CONFIG_MP)
 	setup_mp();
 #endif
 	return 0;
diff --git a/cpu/mpc8xxx/cpu.c b/cpu/mpc8xxx/cpu.c
index e34ef33ac..17aed62b1 100644
--- a/cpu/mpc8xxx/cpu.c
+++ b/cpu/mpc8xxx/cpu.c
@@ -35,41 +35,41 @@ DECLARE_GLOBAL_DATA_PTR;
 
 struct cpu_type cpu_type_list [] = {
 #if defined(CONFIG_MPC85xx)
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8533, 8533),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8533, 8533_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8535, 8535),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8535, 8535_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8536, 8536),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8536, 8536_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8540, 8540),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8541, 8541),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8541, 8541_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8543, 8543),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8543, 8543_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8544, 8544),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8544, 8544_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8545, 8545),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8545, 8545_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8547, 8547_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8548, 8548),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8548, 8548_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8555, 8555),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8555, 8555_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8560, 8560),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8567, 8567),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8567, 8567_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8568, 8568),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8568, 8568_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8569, 8569),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8569, 8569_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8572, 8572),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8572, 8572_E),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(P2020, P2020),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(P2020, P2020_E),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8533, 8533, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8533, 8533_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8535, 8535, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8535, 8535_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8536, 8536, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8536, 8536_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8540, 8540, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8541, 8541, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8541, 8541_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8543, 8543, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8543, 8543_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8544, 8544, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8544, 8544_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8545, 8545, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8545, 8545_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8547, 8547_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8548, 8548, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8548, 8548_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8555, 8555, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8555, 8555_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8560, 8560, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8567, 8567, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8567, 8567_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8568, 8568, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8568, 8568_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8569, 8569, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8569, 8569_E, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8572, 8572, 2),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8572, 8572_E, 2),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(P2020, P2020, 2),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(P2020, P2020_E, 2),
 #elif defined(CONFIG_MPC86xx)
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8610, 8610),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8641, 8641),
-	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8641D, 8641D),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8610, 8610, 1),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8641, 8641, 2),
+	CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(8641D, 8641D, 2),
 #endif
 };
 
@@ -84,6 +84,31 @@ struct cpu_type *identify_cpu(u32 ver)
 	return NULL;
 }
 
+int cpu_numcores() {
+	struct cpu_type *cpu;
+	cpu = gd->cpu;
+	return cpu->num_cores;
+}
+
+int probecpu (void)
+{
+	uint svr;
+	uint ver;
+
+	svr = get_svr();
+	ver = SVR_SOC_VER(svr);
+
+	gd->cpu = identify_cpu(ver);
+
+#ifndef CONFIG_MP
+	if (cpu_numcores() > 1) {
+		puts("Unicore software on multiprocessor system!!\n"
+		     "To enable mutlticore build define CONFIG_MP\n");
+	}
+#endif
+	return 0;
+}
+
 /*
  * Initializes on-chip ethernet controllers.
  * to override, implement board_eth_init()
diff --git a/include/asm-ppc/config.h b/include/asm-ppc/config.h
index c9ba80507..fd7961c04 100644
--- a/include/asm-ppc/config.h
+++ b/include/asm-ppc/config.h
@@ -38,4 +38,11 @@
 #endif
 #endif
 
+#if defined(CONFIG_MPC8572) || defined(CONFIG_P2020) \
+	|| defined(CONFIG_MPC8641)
+#define CONFIG_MAX_CPUS        2
+#else
+#define CONFIG_MAX_CPUS        1
+#endif
+
 #endif /* _ASM_CONFIG_H_ */
diff --git a/include/asm-ppc/global_data.h b/include/asm-ppc/global_data.h
index 244c16158..a5747e10b 100644
--- a/include/asm-ppc/global_data.h
+++ b/include/asm-ppc/global_data.h
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ typedef	struct	global_data {
 #endif
 #if defined(CONFIG_MPC85xx) || defined(CONFIG_MPC86xx)
 	u32 lbc_clk;
+	void *cpu;
 #endif /* CONFIG_MPC85xx || CONFIG_MPC86xx */
 #if defined(CONFIG_MPC83xx) || defined(CONFIG_MPC85xx) || defined(CONFIG_MPC86xx)
 	u32 i2c1_clk;
diff --git a/include/asm-ppc/processor.h b/include/asm-ppc/processor.h
index 284110451..a079b2d4c 100644
--- a/include/asm-ppc/processor.h
+++ b/include/asm-ppc/processor.h
@@ -1065,13 +1065,14 @@ n:
 struct cpu_type {
 	char name[15];
 	u32 soc_ver;
+	u32 num_cores;
 };
 
 struct cpu_type *identify_cpu(u32 ver);
 
 #if defined(CONFIG_MPC85xx) || defined(CONFIG_MPC86xx)
-#define CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(n, v) \
-	{ .name = #n, .soc_ver = SVR_##v, }
+#define CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(n, v, nc) \
+	{ .name = #n, .soc_ver = SVR_##v, .num_cores = (nc), }
 #else
 #if defined(CONFIG_MPC83xx)
 #define CPU_TYPE_ENTRY(x) {#x, SPR_##x}
diff --git a/include/common.h b/include/common.h
index a6922fd78..35f12c0b0 100644
--- a/include/common.h
+++ b/include/common.h
@@ -441,6 +441,8 @@ void		ppcDWstore(unsigned int *addr, unsigned int *value);
 #endif
 
 /* $(CPU)/cpu.c */
+int	cpu_numcores  (void);
+int	probecpu      (void);
 int	checkcpu      (void);
 int	checkicache   (void);
 int	checkdcache   (void);
diff --git a/include/configs/MPC8572DS.h b/include/configs/MPC8572DS.h
index d0933bae9..55c1f29b1 100644
--- a/include/configs/MPC8572DS.h
+++ b/include/configs/MPC8572DS.h
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
 #define CONFIG_MPC8572		1
 #define CONFIG_MPC8572DS	1
 #define CONFIG_MP		1	/* support multiple processors */
-#define CONFIG_NUM_CPUS		2	/* Number of CPUs in the system */
 
 #define CONFIG_FSL_ELBC		1	/* Has Enhanced localbus controller */
 #define CONFIG_PCI		1	/* Enable PCI/PCIE */
diff --git a/include/configs/MPC8610HPCD.h b/include/configs/MPC8610HPCD.h
index 44ff289f8..761932800 100644
--- a/include/configs/MPC8610HPCD.h
+++ b/include/configs/MPC8610HPCD.h
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 #define CONFIG_MPC86xx		1	/* MPC86xx */
 #define CONFIG_MPC8610		1	/* MPC8610 specific */
 #define CONFIG_MPC8610HPCD	1	/* MPC8610HPCD board specific */
-#define CONFIG_NUM_CPUS		1	/* Number of CPUs in the system */
 #define CONFIG_LINUX_RESET_VEC	0x100	/* Reset vector used by Linux */
 
 #define CONFIG_FSL_DIU_FB	1	/* FSL DIU */
diff --git a/include/configs/MPC8641HPCN.h b/include/configs/MPC8641HPCN.h
index bf2e359fd..b0ae25c22 100644
--- a/include/configs/MPC8641HPCN.h
+++ b/include/configs/MPC8641HPCN.h
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@
 #define CONFIG_MPC8641		1	/* MPC8641 specific */
 #define CONFIG_MPC8641HPCN	1	/* MPC8641HPCN board specific */
 #define CONFIG_MP		1	/* support multiple processors */
-#define CONFIG_NUM_CPUS		2	/* Number of CPUs in the system */
 #define CONFIG_LINUX_RESET_VEC	0x100	/* Reset vector used by Linux */
 /*#define CONFIG_PHYS_64BIT	1*/	/* Place devices in 36-bit space */
 #define CONFIG_ADDR_MAP		1	/* Use addr map */
diff --git a/include/configs/P2020DS.h b/include/configs/P2020DS.h
index ad24e0c88..46af7b9b0 100644
--- a/include/configs/P2020DS.h
+++ b/include/configs/P2020DS.h
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
 #define CONFIG_P2020		1
 #define CONFIG_P2020DS		1
 #define CONFIG_MP		1	/* support multiple processors */
-#define CONFIG_NUM_CPUS		2	/* Number of CPUs in the system */
 
 #define CONFIG_FSL_ELBC		1	/* Has Enhanced localbus controller */
 #define CONFIG_PCI		1	/* Enable PCI/PCIE */
diff --git a/include/configs/XPEDITE5170.h b/include/configs/XPEDITE5170.h
index 8be9fa055..242466ae1 100644
--- a/include/configs/XPEDITE5170.h
+++ b/include/configs/XPEDITE5170.h
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
 #define CONFIG_MPC8641		1	/* MPC8641 specific */
 #define CONFIG_XPEDITE5140	1	/* MPC8641HPCN board specific */
 #define CONFIG_SYS_BOARD_NAME	"XPedite5170"
-#define CONFIG_NUM_CPUS		1	/* Number of CPUs in the system */
 #define CONFIG_LINUX_RESET_VEC	0x100	/* Reset vector used by Linux */
 #define CONFIG_BOARD_EARLY_INIT_R	/* Call board_pre_init */
 #define CONFIG_RELOC_FIXUP_WORKS	/* Fully relocate to SDRAM */
diff --git a/include/configs/XPEDITE5370.h b/include/configs/XPEDITE5370.h
index acb62ad1d..3c58ebe39 100644
--- a/include/configs/XPEDITE5370.h
+++ b/include/configs/XPEDITE5370.h
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@
 #define CONFIG_MPC8572		1
 #define CONFIG_XPEDITE5370	1
 #define CONFIG_SYS_BOARD_NAME	"XPedite5370"
-#define CONFIG_NUM_CPUS		2	/* 2 Cores */
 #define CONFIG_BOARD_EARLY_INIT_R	/* Call board_pre_init */
 #define CONFIG_RELOC_FIXUP_WORKS	/* Fully relocate to SDRAM */
 
diff --git a/include/configs/sbc8641d.h b/include/configs/sbc8641d.h
index abc449d05..2865df55e 100644
--- a/include/configs/sbc8641d.h
+++ b/include/configs/sbc8641d.h
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@
 #define CONFIG_MPC8641		1	/* MPC8641 specific */
 #define CONFIG_SBC8641D		1	/* SBC8641D board specific */
 #define CONFIG_MP		1	/* support multiple processors */
-#define CONFIG_NUM_CPUS         2       /* Number of CPUs in the system */
 #define CONFIG_LINUX_RESET_VEC  0x100   /* Reset vector used by Linux */
 
 #ifdef RUN_DIAG
diff --git a/include/e500.h b/include/e500.h
index 84b580de1..f8c82661a 100644
--- a/include/e500.h
+++ b/include/e500.h
@@ -8,13 +8,9 @@
 
 #ifndef __ASSEMBLY__
 
-#ifndef CONFIG_NUM_CPUS
-#define CONFIG_NUM_CPUS 1
-#endif
-
 typedef struct
 {
-  unsigned long freqProcessor[CONFIG_NUM_CPUS];
+  unsigned long freqProcessor[CONFIG_MAX_CPUS];
   unsigned long freqSystemBus;
   unsigned long freqDDRBus;
   unsigned long freqLocalBus;
diff --git a/lib_ppc/board.c b/lib_ppc/board.c
index 6dd4d56ff..9faf7f2a0 100644
--- a/lib_ppc/board.c
+++ b/lib_ppc/board.c
@@ -291,6 +291,9 @@ init_fnc_t *init_sequence[] = {
 	board_early_init_f,
 #endif
 
+#if defined(CONFIG_MPC85xx) || defined(CONFIG_MPC86xx)
+	probecpu,
+#endif
 #if !defined(CONFIG_8xx_CPUCLK_DEFAULT)
 	get_clocks,		/* get CPU and bus clocks (etc.) */
 #if defined(CONFIG_TQM8xxL) && !defined(CONFIG_TQM866M) \
diff --git a/lib_ppc/bootm.c b/lib_ppc/bootm.c
index 83857490f..0685a9331 100644
--- a/lib_ppc/bootm.c
+++ b/lib_ppc/bootm.c
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ void arch_lmb_reserve(struct lmb *lmb)
 
 static void boot_prep_linux(void)
 {
-#if (CONFIG_NUM_CPUS > 1)
+#ifdef CONFIG_MP
 	/* if we are MP make sure to flush the dcache() to any changes are made
 	 * visibile to all other cores */
 	flush_dcache();