Patent ID: 7437618
Filing Date: 2008-10-14
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method in a first processor for dynamically during runtime allocating memory for in-memory hardware tracing, said first processor being included within a data processing system, said first processor including a plurality of processing units coupled together utilizing a system bus, said plurality of processing units including a memory controller that controls a first system memory, said method comprising: determining a particular size of a second system memory that is included in a second processor in said data processing system that is needed for storing trace data; requesting, by a hardware trace facility dynamically after said data processing system has completed booting, said particular size of said second system memory to be allocated to said hardware trace facility for storing trace data that is captured by said hardware trace facility, wherein said hardware trace facility is located in said first processor; selecting, by firmware, particular locations within said second system memory, all of said particular locations together being said particular size; allocating, by said firmware, said particular locations for use exclusively by said hardware trace facility; dynamically allocating ones of a plurality of write buffers to said hardware trace facility for storing trace data, wherein said plurality of write buffers are in said second processor and are external to said second system memory, wherein said plurality of write buffers are connected directly to said system bus, and further wherein said memory controller is connected directly to said system bus and controls said plurality of write buffers, and still further wherein trace data is written to said system memory through said ones of said plurality of write buffers; collecting, by said hardware trace facility, trace data that is originating in said first processor; and storing, by said hardware trace facility, said collected trace data in said second system memory.