Event-based Sampling (EBS)

Use event-based sampling (EBS) to identify system-wide software performance problems caused by processor events, such as Cache Misses and Misdirected Branches. From the EBS data, you can determine which process, thread, module, function, and source line in your program generated the most processor events, and if any of those events impacted the performance of your program.

What Events Can You Use for EBS?

While configuring the sampling collector for event-based sampling, the VTune^TM Performance Analyzer determines the type of processor in your system. Type vtl -help -c sampling to view the corresponding events supported by your processor. You can specify a single event or multiple events and collect samples based on your selection.

Platforms on which EBS can run

• EBS can be run on the Intel® Pentium® Pro, Pentium® II, Celeron®, Pentium® III, Intel® Xeon^TM, Intel® Xeon^TM processor MP, and Pentium® 4 processors. The processors' performance counters can be configured to monitor one or more events.

• EBS cannot, however, be performed on Intel486^TM processors, Pentium® processors, and Pentium® with MMX^TM technology processors.

• EBS can only be performed on laptops using the Mobile Intel® Pentium® III Processor - M or the Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor – M, since the counter-overflow interrupt support required for EBS is only available on these systems.