SVR5, SCO OpenServer 5 and AIX 5L

xbench(1Mcert)

xbench -- graphic adapter driver performance benchmark test

Synopsis

xbench [-timegoal <sec>] [-nruns <num>] [-display <name>] [-level <number>] [-time0sec] [-repeat0<number>] [-help] [-only0<testname>] [-not0<testname>] [-ask] [-sync] [-V]

Description

xbench performs a standard performance benchmark test on a graphic adapter driver and associated hardware. Use it in combination with the x11perf(1Mcert) tests to flood the graphic adapter with drawing requests.

Options

-timegoal <sec>: Runtime per test, in seconds; default is 10.
-nruns <num>: Numer of runs per tests; default is 3.
-display <name>: Use <name> as the server.
-level <number: Number of tests made; default is 1.
-time <sec>: Runtime per test, in seconds; default is 10.
-repeat <number>: Number of iterations per test; default is 3.
-help: Print list of available tests to use with the -only and -not options.
-only <testname>: Only run the <testname> specified.
-not <testname>: Do not run the <testname> specified.
-ask: Interactive mode.
-sync: Synchronize for slow operations.
-V: Print test version number.

Usage

xbench runs through a series of X drawing requests (that by no means fully exercises all the things that can be drawn with an X server). The output from xbench is then run through a script that produces an average speed rating for several classes of drawing operations such as text, blit, line drawing, and so forth. All of these numbers are then used to calculate a final number, referred to as an xStone. An old X Journal magazine has a lengthy and repetitious article on why the Xstone number is next to useless in determining the actual usability of an X server. This hasn't stopped a number of advertisers in the same magazine from printing xStone numbers that clearly show the inadequacies that are explained in the article.

xbench can also be run through the RunTests(1Mcert) harness.

Examples

To run xbench quickly as a first pass integrity check, use the following command line:

   xbench -timegoal 1 -nrunx 1

If that quick run works properly, run xbench without arguments for a 30-minute stress test of the X server:

   xbench

To run xbench through the RunTests(1Mcert) test harness:

SVR5 and SCO OpenServer 5

   $ cd /usr/xlink/Xserver/tests/xbench
   $ ./RunTests -q           # for the quick run
   $ ./RunTests              # for the thorough test

Results are archived in the ./results file in the tests/xbench directory.

AIX 5L

   $ cd <test_archive>/xbench
   $cp /usr/ddk/src/native/nfb/tools/xbench/xbench .
   $cp /usr/ddk/src/native/nfb/tools/xbench/RunTests .
   $ ./RunTests -q		# for the quick run
   $ ./RunTests		# for the thorough test

test_archive is usually a subdirectory to the <working_directory> where the source code is developed but can be any directory on the system. Results are archived in the ./results file in the <test_archive>/xbench directory.

Installation

The xbench test is included in the xtests package that can be downloaded from the HDK homepage or installed from the HDK CD-ROM.

Version applicability

NFB graphical drivers for SVR5, SCO OpenServer 5, and AIX 5L.

Differences between versions

The SCO OpenServer 5 syntax is:

cd /usr/src/ihvkit/display/Xserver/tests/xbench
Runtests
[rm summary*]
make -k summary

References

x11perf(1Mcert),

``Performance testing'' in Developing NFB graphics adapter drivers
``NFB driver coding guidelines'' in Developing NFB graphics adapter drivers