BIB-VERSION:: CS-TR-v2.0
          ID:: STAN//CSL-TR-74-66
       ENTRY:: December 01, 1994
ORGANIZATION:: Stanford University, Computer Systems Laboratory
       TITLE:: COMPUTER SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT: INSTRUCTION SET
               PROCESSOR LEVEL AND MICROCODE LEVEL
        TYPE:: Technical Report
      AUTHOR:: Svobodova, Liba
        DATE:: June 1974
       PAGES:: 90
    ABSTRACT:: Techniques based on hardware monitoring were developed to
               measure computer system performance on the instruction set
               processor level and the microcode level.

               Knowledge of system behavior and system utilization at these
               two levels is extremely valuable for design of new
               processors. The reasons why such information is needed are
               discussed and applicable measurement techniques for obtaining
               necessary data are reviewed. A hardware monitor is a
               preferable measurement tool since it can trace most of the
               significant events attributed to these two levels without
               introducing any artifact.

               Described hardware monitoring techniques were implemented on
               the S/370 Model 145 at Stanford University. Measurements
               performed on the instruction set processor level were
               concerned with determining execution frequencies on
               individual instructions under normal system workload. The
               microcode level measurements measured the number and the type
               of S/370 Model 145 microwords executed in the process of
               interpretation of an individual S/370 instruction and the
               average execution time of each such instruction.

               Implementation of each technique is described and the results
               based on the outcome of performed measurements are presented.
               Finally, effectiveness and ease of use of the discussed
               techniques are considered.
       NOTES:: [Adminitrivia V1/Prg/19941201]
         END:: STAN//CSL-TR-74-66