ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww++++ is an extension of ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww((((1111)))) - a generalized 3D performance
metrics visualization tool for the Performance Co-Pilot (PPPPCCCCPPPP(1)). It is
compatible with ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww (with an exception that version 1 configuration
files are not supported) while adding support for ``plumbing'', i.e.
interconnects between the bases of ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww's grids. Interconnects could be
represented either as unanimated lllliiiinnnnkkkkssss, or animated ppppiiiippppeeeessss with associated
metrics.
ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww++++ is used by oooovvvviiiieeeewwww((((1111)))) to display information about Origin 3000
servers. ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww++++ is the base utility behind performance metrics
visualization tools such as ddddkkkkvvvviiiissss(1), mmmmppppvvvviiiissss(1), oooossssvvvviiiissss(1), nnnnffffssssvvvviiiissss(1),
nnnnooooddddeeeevvvviiiissss(1), rrrroooouuuutttteeeerrrrvvvviiiissss(1), xxxxbbbboooowwwwvvvviiiissss(1) and xxxxllllvvvv____vvvviiiissss(1). It is also used by
a range of related tools that are specific to optional Performance Domain
Agents (PMDA) and/or PCP add-on products. ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww++++ may also be used to
construct customized 3D performance displays.
ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww++++ displays performance metrics as colored blocks and cylinders
arranged on monochrome base planes. Each object may represent a single
performance metric, or a stack of several performance metrics. Since the
objects are modulated by the value of the metric they represent, only
numerical metrics may be visualized. Objects representing a single
metric may be modulated in terms of height, color, or height and color.
Objects in a stack may only be height modulated, but the stack can be
normalized to the maximum height. Labels may be added to the scene to
help identify groups of metrics.
A configuration file (as specified by the ----cccc option, or read from
standard input) is used to specify the position, color, maximum value and
labels of metrics and metric instances in the scene. The maximum value
acts as a normalization factor and is used to scale the object height
and/or color in proportion to the metric values. Metric values which
exceed the associated maximum value are displayed as solid white objects.
If a metric is unavailable, the object will have minimum height and will
be colored grey.
Normally, the tool operates in ``live'' mode where performance metrics
are fetched in real-time. The user can view metrics from any host
running ppppmmmmccccdddd(1). ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww++++ can also replay archives of performance metrics
(see ppppmmmmllllooooggggggggeeeerrrr(1)) and allow the user to interactively control the current
replay time and rate using the VCR paradigm. This is particularly useful
for retrospective comparisons and for post-mortem analysis of performance
revert to the original behavior of showing the metric underneath the
cursor.
Selecting a base plane instead of a modulated block will cause all the
blocks on that base plane to be selected. When more than one object is
selected, the text box behaves as if nothing is selected, so the metric
displayed is the metric currently under the cursor. Multiple selections
are also possible by pressing the SHIFT key while selecting an object
with the left mouse button.
MMMMEEEENNNNUUUUSSSS
There are four menus in ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww++++'s user interface which allow scenes to be
recorded, saved and printed (FFFFiiiilllleeee), access to the time controls
(OOOOppppttttiiiioooonnnnssss), launching other tools (LLLLaaaauuuunnnncccchhhh) and online help (HHHHeeeellllpppp).
FFFFiiiilllleeee////RRRReeeeccccoooorrrrdddd
When in ``live'' mode, this option will launch ppppmmmmllllooooggggggggeeeerrrr(1) processes
to record the current scene into an archive folio (see ppppmmmmaaaaffffmmmm((((1111)))))))) so
that it may be replayed at a later time. This option is not
available in ``replay'' mode.
When FFFFiiiilllleeee////RRRReeeeccccoooorrrrdddd is selected, a file chooser dialog will prompt for
the name of the new archive folio. If the directory to the folio
does not exist, ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww++++ will attempt to create it. It is usually
convenient to keep each folio within its own directory as there will
be several other files associated with the folio, including the
generated archives.
Once a valid folio has been created, ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww++++ will launch a
ppppmmmmllllooooggggggggeeeerrrr(1) process for each host to collect the metrics required
from that host in the current scene. The current selections do not
affect the set of metrics that are recorded.
While recording is in progress, a red dot will appear in the time
controls button in the top left-hand corner of the ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww++++ window.
The FFFFiiiilllleeee////RRRReeeeccccoooorrrrdddd option will also change to FFFFiiiilllleeee////SSSSttttoooopppp RRRReeeeccccoooorrrrddddiiiinnnngggg as
only one recording session is possible at any one time. Selecting
blocks or launching other tools will have no affect on the recording
session.
The record session may be terminated by selecting FFFFiiiilllleeee////SSSSttttoooopppp
RRRReeeeccccoooorrrrddddiiiinnnngggg. This will display dialogs for each ppppmmmmllllooooggggggggeeeerrrr(1) instance
describing the size and location of the archive files before
terminating each process. When all ppppmmmmllllooooggggggggeeeerrrr(1) processes have been
terminated, the red dot is removed from the time controls button, and
the menu reverts back to FFFFiiiilllleeee////RRRReeeeccccoooorrrrdddd to allow another recording
session to take place.
If the application exists while recording, a dialog will appear
allowing you to terminate each ppppmmmmllllooooggggggggeeeerrrr(1) process, or leave it
ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww++++(4), eeeennnnvvvviiiirrrroooonnnn(5) and ppppmmmmllllaaaauuuunnnncccchhhh(5).
Relevant information is also available from the on-line PCP Tutorial.
Provided the ppppccccpppp....mmmmaaaannnn....ttttuuuuttttoooorrrriiiiaaaallll subsystem from the PCP images has been
installed, access the URL ffffiiiilllleeee::::$$$$PPPPCCCCPPPP____DDDDOOOOCCCC____DDDDIIIIRRRR////TTTTuuuuttttoooorrrriiiiaaaallll////ppppmmmmvvvviiiieeeewwww....hhhhttttmmmmllll from
your web browser.
DDDDIIIIAAAAGGGGNNNNOOOOSSSSTTTTIIIICCCCSSSS
Are intended to be self-explanatory. The environment variable PPPPCCCCPPPP____SSSSTTTTDDDDEEEERRRRRRRR
can be set to force most startup warnings and errors to be sent to the
standard error stream rather than posted in a dialog.