Running Response Probe

After you have created the script files and working files, you are ready to execute the utility. Run it from a Command Prompt window.

1. Use a text editor such as Notepad to create one of each of the three types of Response Probe script files:

Process file (.scr)

Thread definition file (.scp)

Thread description file. (.sct)

2. At the command prompt, type:

probe ProcessFileName.SCR TrialTime [OutputFileName]

Item	Description

ProcessFileName.scr	Name of the process script file.
TrialTime	Total trial time, in seconds.
OutputFileName.out	Name of the Response Probe output file. This field is optional. The default is ProcessFileName.out.

The value in the TrialTime parameter is important:

It establishes the total time for the test. All threads stop when the time expires.

It determines when Response Probe actually starts measuring performance.

Response Probe doesn't begin measuring when the test begins; it waits for one-half of the trial time to pass before measuring any values. This is intended to allow time for all processes and threads to launch and to begin operating consistently. Then Response Probe can measure normal operation, not performance at startup time.

Increasing the trial time produces more repeatable results.

If the trial time is too short, Response Probe might begin measuring before all threads are launched and operating normally.