Optimizing Unix Resource Scheduling for User Interaction
Steve Evans, Kevin Clarke, Dave Singleton, and Bart Smaalders
SunSoft Inc.
Abstract
Techniques for improving system responsiveness for interactive end
users of Unix workstations are explored. After a discussion of the
current state of resource scheduling, a model is presented in which
dynamic input from the human user is combined with data from user
interaction software to supply a centralized manager with the
information necessary to determine what processes are involved with
interacting with the user at any given moment. This service then
communicates this process set information to the kernel, which uses it
to manage memory and CPU resource allocation on the behalf of the
user. Experience with a prototype of this environment is reported. An
argument for an interactive scheduling class is made, along with other
infrastructure changes needed to take advantage of it.
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