OpenSolaris

PowerTOP for OpenSolaris

Overview

 PowerTOP is an observability tool that shows how effectively the system is taking advantage of the existing power management features. It was originally developed for Linux and has been ported to OpenSolaris by the Tesla Project. It recently reached version 1.0 and continues to be openly developed by the community through opensolaris.org.

 More information about PowerTOP for OpenSolaris can be found in the following links:

• Tesla Project
• PowerTOP project page

SAC one-pager

Template Version: @(#)onepager.txt 1.35 07/11/07 SMI
Copyright 2008 Sun Microsystems

1. Introduction
   1.1. Project/Component Working Name:
       PowerTOP for OpenSolaris

   1.2. Name of Document Author/Supplier:
       rafael.vanoni@sun.com

   1.3. Date of This Document:
       06/11/08

    1.3.1. Date this project was conceived:
        06/11/08

   1.4. Name of Major Document Customer(s)/Consumer(s):
    1.4.1. The PAC or CPT you expect to review your project:
        Solaris PAC

    1.4.2. The ARC(s) you expect to review your project:
        PSARC

    1.5.4. Interest List:
        tesla-dev@opensolaris.org       

2. Project Summary
   2.1. Project Description:
    PowerTOP is an observability tool that shows how effectively the system 
is taking advantage of the CPU's power management features. By running the 
tool on an otherwise idle system, the user can see for how long the CPU is 
running at different power states. The utility analyzes system activity 
through DTrace and reports activity that is preventing the CPU from being 
power efficient.
    PowerTOP is an Intel utility initially developed for Linux that is being 
jointly ported by Sun and Intel through OpenSolaris, and has had it's first 
version released recently on OpenSolaris. The development team aims at 
maintaining sync with the Linux version of the utility whenever possible.

   2.2. Risks and Assumptions:
       PowerTOP uses DTrace sdt probes that were putback into Solaris Nevada 82. 
Therefore, the user must be running snv82 or a later version of Solaris and have 
DTrace privileges.

3. Business Summary
   3.1. Problem Area:
    It allows end users to improve their system towards power efficiency.

   3.2. Market/Requester:
    Solaris users, developers, and system administrators interested in improving 
system power efficiency.

   3.3. Business Justification:
       PowerTOP enables sysadmins, customers, developers, etc. to understand how 
the OS and applications impact power management. Considering the interest in 
improving Solaris' power efficiency, eco responsability, joint and open 
development through OpenSolaris, we believe this utility would be a positive 
addition to the sfw consolidation.

   3.4. Competitive Analysis:
       PowerTOP for OpenSolaris was ported from the original Linux version. 
Linux has had this tool for some time.

   3.5. Opportunity Window/Exposure:
       The tool has already seen a good deal of exposure through OpenSolaris.

   3.6. How will you know when you are done?
       The tool has already reached version 1.0

4. Technical Description:
    4.1. Details:
        PowerTOP is an open source project hosted on sourceforge.net. The 
OpenSolaris port is hosted on the Tesla project page (on opensolaris.org).

    4.2. Bug/RFE Number(s):
        6713863

    4.3. In Scope:
    Implementation of the PowerTOP tool for OpenSolaris, and all the platforms 
upon which OpenSolaris runs.

    4.4. Out of Scope:
        PowerTOP is an observability tool. It has no active functionalities    
besides allowing the user to activate power management through /etc/power.conf

    4.5. Interfaces:
        None.

    4.6. Doc Impact:
        Introduction of a man page for PowerTOP.

    4.7. Admin/Config Impact:
        None

    4.8. HA Impact:
        None

    4.9. I18N/L10N Impact:
        None

    4.10. Packaging & Delivery:
        This proposal introduces a new package, SFWpowertop.

    4.11. Security Impact:
        The PowerTOP tool requires that the end-user has DTrace privileges.

    4.12. Dependencies:
        DTrace probes introduced in snv82, kstat battery module (so it can 
report laptop battery status). Running the tool without the necessary DTrace 
probes causes the application to exit and output a DTrace message reporting the 
cause of the error.

5. Reference Documents:
    RFE's 6713863, 6635705, 6643464 and man page.

6. Resources and Schedule:
   6.1. Projected Availability:
    Currently available through OpenSolaris

   6.4. Product Approval Committee requested information:
       6.4.1. Consolidation or Component Name:
           sfw

    6.4.3. Type of CPT Review and Approval expected:
        FastTrack

    6.4.6. Notes:

    6.4.7. Target RTI Date/Release:
        snv94 (07/07/08 - 07/14/08)
        S10U7 (Sept/Oct 2008)

    6.4.8. Target Code Design Review Date:
        07/07/08

    6.4.9. Update approval addition:
        No

   6.5. ARC review type:
    FastTrack

7. Prototype Availability:
   7.1. Prototype Availability:
      The tool has already reached version 1.0