Dynamic Processor Thread Management for Lock Spin Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-processor systems, contention over shared resources leads to performance degradation due to spin locks, and adjusting the number of CPU threads is challenging as it depends on workload types, making it difficult to optimize system performance across varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product and method that dynamically adjusts the number of processor threads based on measured performance parameters, such as lock spin time, to maintain optimal performance by incrementing or decrementing threads within defined threshold ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of CPU threads is increased to improve parallel execution performance, then system throughput is improved, but contention over shared resources increases causing performance degradation due to spin locks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the number of concurrently executing CPU threads based on measured system performance parameters. The system monitors performance metrics and automatically increments or decrements the number of active threads to maintain optimal performance, transforming the static thread configuration into a dynamic adaptive system that responds to changing workload conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by measuring performance parameters (such as lock spin time) and using these measurements to adjust the number of CPU threads. This closed-loop control ensures that the system adapts to varying workload types and conditions, preventing performance degradation while maximizing throughput
2Productivity
If spin locks are broken into multiple lower granularity locks to reduce contention, then access efficiency is improved, but programming code complexity significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shared resource access control by dividing it into multiple lower granularity locks, allowing different portions of the shared resource to be accessed independently. This segmentation reduces contention by enabling finer-grained parallel access while maintaining data integrity through structured lock management
3Productivity
If experiments are conducted with different numbers of CPU threads to find optimal performance, then performance optimization is achieved for specific workloads, but the solution is not adaptable to changing operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static experimental configuration to dynamic adaptive control by continuously monitoring performance parameters and automatically adjusting the number of CPU threads in response to changing workload conditions, ensuring optimal performance across varying operating scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-optimization by automatically measuring its own performance parameters and adjusting its configuration without external intervention. The self-service mechanism monitors lock spin time and other metrics, then autonomously increments or decrements thread count to maintain optimal performance
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for managing processor threads of a plurality of processors. In one embodiment, a parameter of performance of the computing system is measured, and the configurations of one or more processor nodes are dynamically adjusted as a function of the measured parameter of performance. In this manner, the number of processor threads being concurrently executed by the plurality of processor nodes of the computing system may be dynamically adjusted in real time as the system operates to improve the performance of the system as it operates under various operating conditions. It is appreciated that systems employing processor thread management in accordance with the present description may provide other features in addition to or instead of those described herein, depending upon the particular application.