Survey of Software Monitoring and Profiling Tools
Abstract
Performance monitoring and profiling tools are essential for programmers to optimize their programs and remove bottlenecks. A plethora of tools exist for a variety of systems. These tools range in scope from single program profilers to OS and hypervisor level monitors. An understanding of the availability and techniques of the different monitoring tools is essential for choosing the proper program for your task. This paper discusses various techniques used in different systems to gather this data, and provides examples of each. The benefits of these tools are compared to provide the reader with guidance for choosing the proper technique.
Table of Contents:
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Static Program Modification
- 2.1 Gprof
- 2.2 ATOM
- 2.3 Etch
- 2.4 Summary
- 3. Hardware Counters
- 3.1 Oprofile
- 3.2 MIPS R10000
- 3.3 Cell Processor
- 3.4 Summary
- 4. Kernel Profiling
- 4.1 DTrace
- 4.2 Other Kernel Profilers
- 4.3 Summary
- 5. Virtual Machines
- 6. Parallel Systems
- 6.1 ZM4/SIMPLE
- 6.2 Summary
- 7. Summary
- 8. References
- List of Acronyms
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