A method and system of determining by a first program an attribute of a first functional unit by referencing a virtual memory address (the first functional unit comprising a first processor and a random access memory (RAM) coupled to the first processor in a computer system, and the first program executing in the first functional unit), determining by a second program an attribute of a second functional unit by referencing the virtual memory address (the second functional unit comprising a second processor and a RAM coupled to the second processor in the computer system, and the second program executing in the second functional unit), wherein referencing the virtual memory address by the first program provides a pointer to an attribute stored in the RAM of the first functional units, and wherein referencing the virtual memory address by the second program provides a pointer to an attribute stored in the RAM of the second functional unit.