Programs apply selected input/output loads to complex computer operating system and measure performance of that system under such loads. Technique lends itself to checkout of computer software designed to monitor automated complex industrial systems

Dervage, M. M.

Milberg, B. A.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1970
	 Brief 70-10257 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, 
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nology Utilization Division, NASA, Code UT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Automated Validation of a Computer Operating System 
46
Automated validation programs are designed to 
apply selected input/output thads to a complex com-
puter operating system and to measure the perform-
ance of that system under such loads. While such 
programs have been developed to load computers with 
simulation of the loading that would be experienced 
during the actual launch of a complex space vehicle, 
the technique would also lend itself to checkout of 
computer software designed to monitor automated 
complex industrial systems (petrochemical installa-
tions, for example). In this employment, the auto-
mated validation program would prove out the com-
puter system's ability to monitor plant operation 
under actual production conditions. 
Many different problem areas may be investigated 
by judicious use of the loading capabilities of the 
automated validation programs. In attempting to du-
plicate problems due to input/output loading, the 
operator may choose from loads presently included 
in the repertoire of the internal monitor. If such loads 
are not suitable, other loads may be added with a mini-
mum of programming effort. 
For maximum effectiveness in testing, a standard 
set of loads is selected and runs are made with a sam-
pling of as many possible combinations of these loads 
as time permits. This will provide a performance 
baseline for the computer system tested and each new 
version can be compared with this performance base-
line and any significant performance changes noted. 
Inasmuch as the automated validation programs 
operate as test programs or function executors and 
do not violate any of the computer system restraints, 
they should operate with any new system not involving 
a major revision. Failure of the automated validation 
program and/or function executor to operate with a
new version of the system requires careful review to 
determine if similar failure might also occur with 
established test programs and function executors. 
The display load generator and the discrete load 
generator portions of the automated validation pro-
gram can be used independently of the internal moni-
tor test program. Therefore, they can be used to test 
the system while it is running an actual launch test 
program in the systems development facility (SDF). 
The environment of the SDF can be made to closely 
simulate that encountered in operational use if the 
discrete generator is used in the cycling discrete mode 
(at a rate of about I discrete change each 80 msec, 
and the display load generator active on 5 consoles 
with function monitoring entries being added at a rate 
of 1 every 10 sec). The function executor version of 
the basic monitor, modified to execute for a maximum 
of I sec, can also be used to monitor the computer 
operating system (to obtain approximate system over-
head relative to level zero and one-half). It also de-
termines the function executor executive's scheduling 
performance on all function executor routines that are 
active. To use the function executive basic monitor 
routine, it must be read in from cards at computer 
load time, and all other function executors to be used 
must be defined on control cards preceding the func-
tion executor basic monitor binary deck. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Code A&TS-TU 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B70-10257 
i
s(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately ownedrights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700000246 2020-03-17T00:13:59+00:00Z
Patent status: 
No patent action is comtemplated by NASA. 
Source: M. M. Dervage and B. A. Milberg of 
The Boeing Co. 
under contract to 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
(MFS-14510) 
Brief 70-10257	 Category 09


Automated validation of a computer operating system

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