System independent interface for performance counters

• US 5,537,541 A
• Filed: 08/16/1994
• Issued: 07/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Wibecan, Brian F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wright, Norman M.
• Application Number:
  US08/291,240
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 395/180, 395/183.14, 395/183.15, 395/183.21, 395/183.22, 395/184.01
• US Class Current: 714/45
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3409 for performance assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/348 Circuit details, i.e. tracer hardware
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/86 Event-based monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/88 Monitoring involving counting

Abstract

In a computer system, events indicative of the performance of the system are generated by system hardware and software. A user requests control of counters of different designs for counting the events. If the request for control of the counters is granted, a set of events is selected for monitoring according to predetermined attributes which characterize the events. A determination is made if the events of the set are valid, and they are determined to be valid, each event of the set are coupled to a corresponding one of the counters. The counters are then enabled to count the events of the set.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a performance of a computer system, comprising:

generating a plurality of events indicative of the performance of the computer system, each event capable of being counted by at least one of a plurality of counters, said plurality of counters including counters of different designs;

requesting control of said plurality of counters;

in response to control being granted, selecting a set of events from said plurality of events;

determining if said set of events is valid to be counted by said plurality of counters;

in response to said set of events being valid, coupling each event of said set of events to a corresponding counter of said plurality of counters;

enabling said corresponding counters of said plurality of counters to count said set of events to monitor the performance of the computer system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each counter of said plurality of counters and each event of said plurality of events is associated with a plurality of attributes for characterizing each counter and each event, and further comprising:

for each event of said set of events and corresponding counter of said plurality of counters selecting a set of attributes from said plurality of attributes;

determining if said sets of attributes is valid for said set of events and corresponding counters;

enabling said corresponding counters of said plurality of counters according to said set of attributes.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said plurality of attributes include frequency attributes and interrupt attributes, and further comprising:

selecting a specific frequency attribute and a specific interrupt attribute.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

in response to control being granted, allocating a memory buffer, and

stirring, for each event of said set of events, a count in said memory buffer.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said memory buffer includes a sample buffer and a histogram buffer.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the computer system includes a plurality of processes, and further comprising:

selecting a specific process of said plurality of processes to monitor.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein each process of said plurality of processes can execute in a plurality of modes, and further comprising:

selecting a specific mode of said plurality of modes to monitor.

8. A method for monitoring a performance of a computer system, comprising:

querying an interface of the computer system to supply a set of events which represent a performance of the computer system;

said interface accessing an attribute table which characterize said set of events;

each event of said set of events associated with at least one counter of a plurality of counters of the computer system, said plurality of counters for counting said set of events;

coupling each event of said set of events to a corresponding counter of said plurality of counters;

enabling said corresponding counters to count said set of events to monitor the performance of the computer system.

9. A system for monitoring a performance of a computer system, comprising:

a plurality of event signals indicative of a performance of the computer system;

means for counting said plurality of event signals;

means for characterizing attributes of said plurality of event signals and said means for counting;

means for selecting a set of event signals from said plurality of events;

means for coupling each event signal of said set of event signals to said means for counting;

enabling said means for counting according to said attributes to count said set of event signals to determine the performance of the computer system.