NAME

prf − operating system profiler

DESCRIPTION

The special file /dev/prf provides access to activity information in the operating system.  Writing the file loads the measurement facility with text addresses to be monitored.  Reading the file returns these addresses and a set of counters indicative of activity between adjacent text addresses. 

The recording mechanism is driven by the system clock and samples the program counter at line frequency.  Samples that catch the operating system are matched against the stored text addresses and increment corresponding counters for later processing. 

The file /dev/prf is a pseudo-device with no associated hardware. 

FILES

/dev/prf

NOTES

By default, the prf device is not configured into the kernel for Motorola processors.  To turn it on, you must edit the /stand/system file, and add the prf modules to the list of included modules. 

SEE ALSO

profiler(1M)

  —  System Performance Analysis Utilities