Enhanced Monitor Facility Counter Update Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring tools, such as the Monitor Call instruction in z/Architecture systems, require substantial overhead and program interruptions to count processing events, which is inefficient and disrupts the normal execution of programs.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced monitoring facility that allows processor firmware to update counters specified by the Monitor Call instruction without taking an interrupt, using a second mode of operation that is compatible with the existing functionality, allowing for efficient monitoring without interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the Monitor Call instruction is used to count processing events, then event monitoring capability is provided, but substantial overhead including program interruptions and recovery environment establishment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the interrupt handling overhead from the monitoring process by implementing a non-interrupt counter update mechanism. The control program directly updates counters in memory without taking program interruptions, separating the counting function from the interrupt handling mechanism that previously caused overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The control program performs counter updates itself without requiring the operating system's interrupt handling services. By directly modifying counter values in memory, the control program serves its own monitoring needs without external intervention, eliminating the overhead of establishing recovery environments and handling interrupts.
2Measurement precision
If the Monitor Call instruction triggers a program interruption for counting, then event detection is achieved, but program execution is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the program interruption mechanism from the event detection process. Instead of interrupting program execution to count events, the control program continuously monitors and updates counters in the background without disrupting the normal flow of program execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring and counting process continues without interruption alongside program execution. The control program maintains continuous event detection and counter updates without breaking the continuity of the monitored program's execution, allowing both operations to proceed simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing Monitor Call mechanism is used, then monitoring functionality is provided, but complex interrupt handling and recovery environment establishment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex interrupt handling and recovery environment establishment from the monitoring mechanism. By implementing direct counter updates in memory, the patent removes the need for interrupt controllers, recovery environments, and associated complex handling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical interrupt handling system with a simpler memory-based counter update mechanism. Instead of using hardware interrupts and software recovery environments, the control program directly writes counter values to memory locations, substituting a complex mechanical interrupt system with a simpler memory access operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A monitoring facility that is operable in two modes allowing compatibility with prior existing monitoring facilities. In one mode, in response to encountering a monitored event, an interrupt is generated. In another mode, in response to encountering a monitored event, one or more associated counters are incremented without causing an interrupt.