Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing atomic data tracing in a processor system including an auxiliary processor unit (APU) coupled to a central processor unit (CPU). The auxiliary processor unit (APU) processes a trace instruction. When a trace instruction is identified by the APU, the APU signals the CPU with a pipeline stall signal for stalling the CPU and checks for an enabled trace engine as specified by the trace instruction. When the trace engine for the trace instruction is enabled, then the trace data is written into a trace buffer. The APU signals the CPU with an op done signal for allowing the CPU to continue with instruction processing.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing atomic data tracing in a processor system including an auxiliary processor unit (APU) coupled to a central processor unit (CPU). The auxiliary processor unit (APU) processes a trace instruction. When a trace instruction is identified by the APU, the APU signals the CPU with a pipeline stall signal for stalling the CPU and checks for an enabled trace engine as specified by the trace instruction. When the trace engine for the trace instruction is enabled, then the trace data is written into a trace buffer. The APU signals the CPU with an op done signal for allowing the CPU to continue with instruction processing.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for implementing atomic data tracing in a processor system including an auxiliary processor unit (APU) coupled to a central processor unit (CPU). The auxiliary processor unit (APU) processes a trace instruction. When a trace instruction is identified by the APU, the APU signals the CPU with a pipeline stall signal for stalling the CPU and checks for an enabled trace engine as specified by the trace instruction. When the trace engine for the trace instruction is enabled, then the trace data is written into a trace buffer. The APU signals the CPU with an op done signal for allowing the CPU to continue with instruction processing.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for dynamically minimizing translation lookaside buffer (TLB) entries across contiguous memory. A page table with page table entries (PTEs) is provided for mapping multiple sized pages from a virtual address space to a physical address space. Each of the multiple sized pages is a multiple of a base page size. A region of memory having a starting address and a length is divided into a minimum number of natural blocks for the memory region. Once the region of memory is divided into the natural blocks, page table entries (PTEs) are assigned to map each natural block. Multiple identical PTEs are required to map each natural block greater than a base page size. Only one TLB entry is used to map each natural block.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for dynamically minimizing translation lookaside buffer (TLB) entries across contiguous memory. A page table with page table entries (PTEs) is provided for mapping multiple sized pages from a virtual address space to a physical address space. Each of the multiple sized pages is a multiple of a base page size. A region of memory having a starting address and a length is divided into a minimum number of natural blocks for the memory region. Once the region of memory is divided into the natural blocks, page table entries (PTEs) are assigned to map each natural block. Multiple identical PTEs are required to map each natural block greater than a base page size. Only one TLB entry is used to map each natural block.

Abstract: A computer system automatically senses characteristics of diverse peripheral devices connected to a common communications port, and automatically maximizes the communications speed with the devices. Coupled in daisy chain fashion to the communications port, all peripheral devices receive every signal issued from the controller port, each device responding only to signals addressed to that device or signals addressed to a universal address. The controller first receives an identifier from peripheral devices attached to the controller port. The controller then interprets the received identifiers to determine a maximum communications speed for each device. Next, the controller and the attached peripheral devices are configured to communicate at the maximum communications speed of the slowest device. This guarantees that all messages sent by the controller are compatible with all peripheral devices.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed which permit the presentation of single and double digit selection field in a non-programmable terminal. Multiple numeric characters associated with particular textual choices are coupled to a workstation controller interface along with an identified offset within each textual choice to a selected mnemonic character. If an associated terminal display device does not support more advanced graphic elements, such as so-called "radio buttons" and underscored mnemonics, the numeric characters and textual choices are entered into a format table entry and utilized to specify a selection field within the terminal display. A single or double digit numeric indicator area is then defined within the terminal display and numeric entries within the selection field are displayed within the numeric indicator area, permitting the user to visually affirm what textual choice will be selected upon entry.