Overhead management for event tracing

Abstract

The present invention relates to managing data generated by software transactions, such as event tracing software. In one embodiment, data generated by event tracing software is monitored. The throughput of the data generated may then be modulated based on various criteria, such as a target data rate. The throughput target may be specified on a per-system basis or individual basis. Based on the throughput, the level of detail recorded is modulated. Individual processes may determine a limit or quota depending on their contribution to the throughput. In one embodiment, the method calls for a trace are modified with different property specifications to meet a desired throughput of event tracing data.

1 . A method of modulating an amount of resources used by a trace process running on an application server to record transaction data, wherein the application server is one of a plurality of systems running trace processes, said method comprising:
 receiving, for the application server, a target data rate that is a portion of a communal limit applied collectively to the plurality of systems running trace processes;   determining a quota for a trace process running on the application server based on the target data rate;   determining an amount of resources used by the trace process to record transaction data; and   modulating the trace process based on the amount of resources used by the application in relation to the quota and in relation to the communal limit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving the target data rate comprises receiving a requested data rate from a user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the quota for the trace process comprises determining a quota for a number of bytes written to a storage. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the quota for the trace process comprises determining a quota for a number processor cycles. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the quota for the trace process comprises determining a quota for a maximum amount of storage space that may be used by the trace process. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein modulating the trace process based on the amount of resources used in relation to the quota comprises modulating the method calls traced by the trace process. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein modulating the trace process based on the amount of resources used in relation to the quota comprises tracing method calls having at least a minimum call duration. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein modulating the trace process based on the amount of resources used in relation to the quota comprises tracing method calls having a set of selected properties. 
     
     
         9 . An application server configured to trace transactions serviced by the application server and modulate the resources consumed by tracing the transactions, wherein the application server is one of a plurality of systems tracing transactions, said application server comprising:
 at least one processor configured to execute program code for at least one application, at least one trace process, and a throughput manager;   wherein the at least one application, running on the application server, performs transactions requested of the at least one application;   wherein the at least one trace process, running on the application server, records trace information related to the transactions;   a storage for storing trace information recorded by the at least one trace process; and   wherein the throughput manager is configured to receive a requested limit for the at least one trace process, wherein the requested limit is a portion of a communal limit applied collectively to the plurality of systems tracing transactions, determine a quota for the at least one process, and modulate the at least one trace process based on resources of the application server consumed by the at least one process in relation to the quota and in relation to the communal limit.   
     
     
         10 . The application server of  claim 9 , wherein the throughput manager is configured to determine a quota for a number of bytes written by the at least one trace process to the storage. 
     
     
         11 . The application server of  claim 9 , wherein the throughput manager is configured to determine a quota for a number processor cycles used to service the at least one trace process. 
     
     
         12 . The application server of  claim 9 , wherein the throughput manager is configured to determine a quota for a maximum amount of storage space that may be used by the trace process. 
     
     
         13 . The application server of  claim 9 , wherein the throughput manager is configured to modulate the method calls traced by the trace process. 
     
     
         14 . The application server of  claim 9 , wherein the throughput manager is configured to trace method calls only having at least a minimum call duration. 
     
     
         15 . The application server of  claim 9 , wherein the throughput manager is configured to trace method calls only having a set of selected properties. 
     
     
         16 . A method for modulating an amount of data recorded by a first system for a plurality of transactions performed by the first system, wherein the first system is one of a plurality of systems recording transactions, said method comprising:
 monitoring a data activity rate by the first system relative to a communal limit that is applied collectively to the plurality of systems recording transactions;   determining a throughput level for the first system based on the data activity rate, wherein the throughput level is associated with a minimum call duration and a set of property types; and   recording one or more select method calls and one or more select properties by the first system based on modulating the throughput level of the first system in relation to the communal limit, wherein the one or more select method calls are selected based on the associated minimum call duration, and wherein the one or more select properties are selected based on the set of property types.