THE GRAPHIC DISPLAY AS AN AID IN THE MONITORING OF A TIME-SHARED COMPUTER SYSTEM.

摘要

The graphical display monitoring system was developed as a medium for dynamic observation of the state of a time-shared computer system. The system is integrated to create graphic displays,dynamically retrieve data from the Multics'time-sharing system supervisor data bases,and allow on-line viewing of this data via the graphic displays. On-line and simulated experiments were performed with various members of the Project MAC Multics staff to determine the most relevant data for dynamic monitoring,the most meaningful display formats,and the most desirable sampling rates. The particular relevance of using a graphic display as an output medium for the monitoring system is noted. As a guide to other designers, a generalized description of the principles involved in the design of this on-line,dynamic monitoring device includes special mention of those areas of particular hardware or software system dependence. Several as yet unsolved problems relating to time-sharing system monitoring,including those of security and data base protection,are discussed. (Author)