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Date:      Thu, 17 Jul 1997 15:08:46 -0600
From:      Steve Passe <smp@csn.net>
To:        Poul-Henning Kamp <phk@dk.tfs.com>
Cc:        smp@freebsd.org, Peter Wemm <peter@spinner.dialix.com.au>, dyson@freebsd.org
Subject:   Re: pushdown of "giant lock" 
Message-ID:  <199707172108.PAA15231@Ilsa.StevesCafe.com>
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Thu, 17 Jul 1997 22:27:40 %2B0200." <18580.869171260@critter.dk.tfs.com> 

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Hi,

> >DESIGN PROPOSAL:
> > ...
> As the guy who's done it before and in this case did it last time, let
> me add some other input to this topic:
> 
> 1.  Add a optional (possibly compile-option) circular buffer which will
>     record the lock actions.

somewher I have debug code for the lock that uses an XXX-kbyte buffer of INTs
to record each lock transition, allowing you to record the last XXX,000
transitions if you wish.  I also built a tool to scarf this buffer and present
it in a nice formatted fashon.  It was quite useful for getting the XXPRESS
system working (first >2 CPU system to work properly).


---
> 2.  Add a permanent version of the ugly serial-port stuff, under a compile-
>     time option of course, to record the lock actions.
the above tool eliminates the need for this, it sucks the buffer via /dev/kmem.


---
> 3.  Consider redesigning the lock implementation for the purpose, rather
>     that try to modify the rather special lock we have now...

eventually we will diverge in many different locks/primatives for specific
purposes.  my proposal is just for the 1st step on that path.  I envision
each of the 3 classes I mentioned to develop their own unique form.  I do
think the modified version I outlined should serve well as a start, but I am
also open to suggestions for alternate algorithms.

thanx for the input, lets get some more discussion of this so I can get
started with the code!

--
Steve Passe	| powered by
smp@csn.net	|            Symmetric MultiProcessor FreeBSD





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