Re: [LAU] rtirq - what does it improve, and how can I measure it?

From: Jeremy Jongepier <jeremy@email-addr-hidden>
Date: Mon May 07 2012 - 15:24:52 EEST

On 05/07/12 14:06, Kaj Ailomaa wrote:
> I understand that the rtirq script is designed to raise rtprio for audio
> devices, which is made possible on the vanilla kernel since 2.6.39(?),
> if passing the threadirqs option to the kernel at boot, and having built
> it with the CONFIG_FORCE_THREADIRQ.
>
> From my experience, I have not had any performance boost using the
> rtirq script, but I have read about it helping those who are getting
> xruns due to irq sharing.
>

Hello Kaj,

rtirq allows you to elevate the prios of softirq's which could enhance
the performance of those prioritized softirq's. So it doesn't really
boost the overall performance of a system.

> So, I'm wondering. What picture do others have of the benefit of the
> rtirq script?
>

Without rtirq I simply can't use my FireWire card on my notebook for
example. The FireWire controller shares its IRQ with a plethora of other
devices (GPU, WiFi, cardreader) and if I don't use rtirq jackd simply
won't start.

> ..and are there other ways to measure improvement for audio operation
> other than spotting xruns at different latency settings, and reading the
> rtprio for various devices using the 'ps' command?

Yes, htop and latencytop for example.

Best,

Jeremy

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Received on Mon May 7 16:15:03 2012

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