A hybrid simulation approach enabling performance characterization of large software systems

We describe a method for performance analysis of large software systems that combines a fast instruction-set simulator with off-line detailed analysis of segments of the execution. The combination is faster than straight cycle-accurate simulation, simpler and more flexible than techniques relying on hardware monitoring, and accurate. Specifically, the instruction-set simulator running at a slowdown of around 50, maintains enough target state throughout the execution that an arbitrarily collected segment of the instruction trace is sufficient input for a post-processing, cycle-accurate model of the processor and memory hierarchy. We present a case study to support our contention that a reduced state is sufficient as input to a cycle-accurate simulator. We use a commercial M88110-based prototype system as a reference point, and show that for three trace segments, the cycle-accurate post-processing gives reliable data to do system optimization.