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C H A P T E R  12
Level 2 Cache Test (l2sramtest)

l2sramtest Description

l2sramtest exercises the level2 cache in the CPU module of Sun systems. In most CPUs, the level2 cache is also the external cache, but in some cases the level2 cache is on the chip. This test writes, reads, and verifies access of multiple virtual addresses. This test contains multiple subtests that try to exercise the l2cache by causing hits or misses, performing marching patterns on the l2cache cells, and writing patterns that cause electrical stress.

l2sramtest is self-scaling and adaptive. It scales with the size of the system. It automatically retrieves the number of CPUs in the system and internally creates that many threads of l2sramtest to give coverage to the whole system at a given time. Level 2 cache is shared by all cores in the system thus the test retrieves the number of valid cores in the system and creates that many threads to give coverage. This test also dynamically determines the size and organization of the l2cache. You do not have to input these values.


caution icon

Caution - This is an exclusive mode test. This test can not be run in parallel with any other tests or applications.


l2sramtest Options


To reach the following dialog box, right-click on the test name in the System Map and select Test Parameter Options. If you do not see this test in the System Map, you might need to expand the collapsed groups, or your system might not include the device appropriate to this test. Refer to the SunVTS User's Guidefor more details.FIGURE 12-1 l2sramtest Test Parameter Options Dialog Box

Screenshot of the l2sramtest Test Parameter Options dialog box





TABLE 12-1 l2sramtest Options

Option

Description

Thrash Cycles

Specifies the number of thrashing cycles the test completes for the level2 cache on the system. The default value is 8.

Core

Use the core option to perform isolation testing on selected cores only. By default, isolation testing is not enabled and system-wide testing is performed with all available cores.



Note - The l2sramtest automatically handles processor binding. Do not use the Processor Affinity option for the l2sramtest.


l2sramtest Test Modes


TABLE 12-2 l2sramtest Supported Test Modes

Test Mode

Description

Exclusive

Performs only the l2sramtest (full test).


l2sramtest Command-Line Syntax

/opt/SUNWvts/bin/l2sramtest -standard_arguments -o [dev=l2sram,count=[1...1023],core=[0+1+2+...]]


Note - The l2sramtest is not a per CPU test. There will be only one l2sramtest for the whole system (one image of Solaris). It will run on all the CPUs of the domain.



TABLE 12-3 l2sramtest Command-Line Syntax

Argument

Description

dev=l2sram

Specifies the device. The default value is l2sram.

count=number

Specifies the number of thrashing cycles that the test completes for the level2 cache on the system. Default value for Offline mode is 8.

core=[0+1+2+...]

Use the core option to perform isolation testing on selected cores only. By default, isolation testing is not enabled and system-wide testing is performed with all available cores.




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