Software Assessment tool for Multi core

In the last newsletter I had briefly introduced the software assessment tool as a development tool for developing or scaling you application for n core. The software assessment tool is now available for download at no cost. 

What can the SAT provide?

If you want to make sure that when running on a multi core machine you are using all 4 cores and not just one or two, SAT is the tool that will provide data to indicate whether the application is capitalizing on the hardware available. The stove analogy might put this perspective right through. In a 4 burner stove, using only one burners will all burners are on full flame is what a single threaded app or a an app with a number of threads but not running currently relates to.

 How do I use SAT?

• Download the tool from the Intel software partner Program
• Run the tool
• The Intel® Software Assessment Tools generate a Tool Report File each time you assess your software.
• Upload this file to the Intel® Software Partner Program Web site to view a customized Software Assessment Report.
• Receive recommendations for optimizing your application

What is n core?

For some time now you would have noticed that multi core processors have become mainstream, if you happen to walk into any store the core2 duo, core 2 Quad, Quad core are all the processors that are available. Intel is on the way with the 8 core. N core is what you as a software vendor need to prepare for. With multi threaded software you were able to scale well on the dual core machines, now the test is whether the applications will scale as the no of cores increase. 

How do I scale my application for n core?
Two questions you will need answers here are 1. How many threads does my application have? 2. What is the expected performance of a system with n cores?

For the first question as to how many threads does my software have, more importantly the % parallel time, we will be launching in December Software assessment tools. The tool is free to use, a quick look at the user guide should have the development team using the tool in minutes.

 To predict performance of an application on n Core, take a look at this article that talks about measuring application performance on multi core. Measuring Application Performance on Multi-core Hardware