Probe acquisition for the MSPARC hybrid monitor

The MSPARC multicomputer uses processor-based monitoring hardware and probe acquisition software for instrumentation purposes. The authors give an overview of the monitor system and design considerations regarding the probe software. Each node of the mesh connected MSPARC consists of a numerical element and a communications board used to pass messages via custom routers located on a backplane. In addition to the message-passing circuitry, the communications board also contains the instrumentation and monitoring hardware. The monitor and its separate interconnection network are used to assist in application performance monitoring, program design, hardware and software debugging, and hardware analysis. Performance data are transferred from an application program to the monitor system in the form of software probes. The software provides initialization, probe processing, communications, and debug capabilities for a monitor node.<>