Release 2.1 Information
Summary
Paradyn is a tool for measuring and analyzing the performance of
parallel and distributed programs.
Paradyn can measure large, long running programs and provides
facilities for helping to automatically find performance problems in
parallel programs.
Paradyn operates on executable (a.out or .exe) files
by dynamically inserting measurement code while the program is running.
Paradyn can measure programs running on Solaris (SPARC and x86), AIX/RS6000
and SP2, and WindowsNT/x86, and heterogeneous combinations of these
systems.
Paradyn can also handle PVM on these Unix platforms and MPL, MPI, and PVM
under POE on the SP2.
Release 2.1 of the Paradyn Parallel Performance Tools includes both source
and binary versions, and associated manuals. This incremental release
primarily consolidates the preceding Paradyn 2.0 release of September 1997,
deploying advanced functionality to more platforms, and generally enhancing
capabilities, performance and software engineering.
A synchronized 1.1 release of the DyninstAPI library which provides a
standardized machine-independent interface to Paradyn's dynamic
instrumentation (run-time code patching) complements this Paradyn release.
Note that while Paradyn and the DyninstAPI share some common code, and hence
the distribution of the DyninstAPI with Paradyn, they can both be used
independently of each other.
New features for Paradyn 2.1 include:
- application re-linking requirement removed for SPARC/Solaris:
Paradyn dynamically loads its run-time instrumentation library and works
with unmodified application executables
(new for SPARC/Solaris, previously supported on x86/WindowsNT)
- automatic code block identification [on Solaris platforms]:
eliminates the requirement to re-link the application using explicit
code block markers (relevant for x86/Solaris)
- merged processing of statically and dynamically-linked modules,
allowing generalized module and function exclusion
- handling of stripped dynamic libraries [under Solaris]
- more powerful, simplified MDL syntax for metric definition
- enhanced metrics for I/O in MPI programs [on the SP2]
- scalability to monitor larger numbers of hosts/processors
- refined main console user interface
- easier, parameterized source build (with PVM support now a build option)
- many performance improvements, bug-fixes and software revisions.
As of this release, support is no longer offered for SunOS earlier
than 5.4 (Solaris 2.4). Some highly optimized code sequences found in
applications compiled under Solaris 2.6 and UltraSPARC may not be
recognized as instrumentable.
Once you have downloaded Paradyn (or DyninstAPI), we strongly
encourage you to register for notification of updates by
completing the
>on-line registration form.
An additional
>user experience report form
is also available, and we would be very grateful if you would return at
your convenience to summarize your experiences installing and using our tools.
Here are answers to some common questions:
How do I get a copy of Paradyn?
The Installation Guide
for Paradyn is the first item you will want to get.
(It's available from
ftp://grilled.cs.wisc.edu/paradyn_manuals/ as
installation_guide.pdf or
installation_guide.ps.gz.)
It will tell you everything you need to know to obtain the Paradyn distribution.
Note that most files we distribute are compressed using GNU (g)zip
(identified with a .gz suffix). If you cannot handle
these files (e.g., with gunzip), send us E-mail to inquire about the
possibility of other versions.
What does the release cost?
For research uses, there is no charge.
We define "research use" to mean you may
freely use it inside your organization for whatever purposes you see fit.
Our source code release is also freely available for research uses.
You may not re-distribute Paradyn in any form (including derivatives),
electronic or otherwise, to any other organization or entity without
our permission.
Full details of allowable uses of Paradyn are described in the
LICENSE file
contained in the "paradyn" and "paradyn/src" directories.
What is a commercial use?
We define "commericial use" of Paradyn to be one in which you re-distribute
Paradyn in binary or source code form.
Such an arrangement requires a signed license agreeement.
Please contact us for the details.
What can I do if it doesn't work?
If you have any problems with installing or running Paradyn,
feel free to contact us at
paradyn@cs.wisc.edu.
We will try to respond promptly.
We also appreciate feedback from you on ease of installation and use, and
have provided an >on-line experience report
form for this purpose.
What if I find a bug in Paradyn?
Your report of bugs will help to improve future releases.
Please report bugs to
paradyn@cs.wisc.edu.
We will work on fixes or try to provide you with a "workaround".
You will typically get a response in no more than 1-2 working days.
The Dyninst library provides a machine-independent interface to permit
program instrumentation at runtime. Using this interface, instrumentation
code can be inserted and removed from running processes. The current release
supports the following features: runs on multiple architectures
(SPARC/Solaris, x86/Solaris and x86/WindowsNT, and POWER/AIX (and SP2);
DEC Alpha support was added with release 1.2 in mid-September 1998);
weaves new code (statements and subroutine calls) into
running programs; permits removing/changing calls to any subroutine;
processor and OS independent specification of instrumentation code; can
instrument a running process without any special linking or compiling
steps (currently x86/WindowsNT and SPARC/Solaris only).
Information about the implementation of the API, along with the sources
and binaries of the API-only distribution, are available from:
http://www.cs.umd.edu/projects/dyninstAPI
This is the same technology used in the Paradyn tools, but provides
a simple C++ interface. The API can be used to build debuggers, performance
measurement tools, simulators, or computational steering systems.
Our lawyers tell us to say this (Pay Attention!)
We provide the Paradyn Parallel Performance Tools (below described as
"Paradyn") on an "as is"
basis, and do not warrant its validity or performance.
We reserve the right to update, modify, or discontinue this software
at any time.
We shall have no obligation to supply such updates or modifications
or any other form of support to you.
All warranties, including without limitation, any warranty of merchantability
or fitness for a particular purpose, are hereby excluded.
By your use of Paradyn, you
understand and agree that we (or any other person or entity
with proprietary rights in Paradyn) are under no
obligation to provide either maintenance services, update services, notices
of latent defects, or correction of defects for Paradyn.
Even if advised of the possibility of such damages, under no circumstances
shall we (or any other person or entity with proprietary rights in the
software licensed hereunder) be liable to you or any third party for
direct, indirect, or consequential damages of any character regardless of
type of action, including, without limitation, loss of profits, loss of use,
loss of good will, or computer failure or malfunction.
You agree to indemnify us
(and any other person or entity with proprietary rights in the software
licensed hereunder)
for any and all liability it may incur to third parties resulting from
your use of Paradyn.
Last modified:
$Date: 1998/12/02 16:57:30 $