---
license: apache-2.0
---

## Content of this dataset


This dataset contains runs of experiments to evaluate feasibility of real-time capabilities of Dell R660XS(SN-CB5GXC4) server. 
There are 3 types of tests: caterpillar, cyclictest, 48-hour benchmark (for detailed explanation see below). 

It has following tests runs

|  config  |  folder  |     test    |       description      | 
|----------|----------|-------------|------------------------|
|   test1  | 05-19-35 | caterpillar | before BIOS correction |
|   test2  | 06-38-03 | cyclictest  | after BIOS correction  |
|   test3  | 15-12-05 |   48-hour   | with msr error         |
|   test4  | 10-49-18 |   48-hour   | wihout msr error       |
|   test5  | 11-04-24 |   48-hour   | using rdtset           |

For more info about analysis done check out [this](https://github.com/zededa/rt-tools) repo


## What Is the Caterpillar Benchmark for RT?

The **Caterpillar RT Benchmark** is a diagnostic tool designed to:
- Evaluate **real-time responsiveness** of CPU cores under varying system conditions.
- Measure **timing jitter** (variations in scheduling and latency).
- Identify hardware or kernel-level contributors to timing instability (e.g., IRQs, temperature fluctuations).

The benchmark runs multiple real-time workloads while collecting detailed monitoring data from the system.

---

### Input Data Description

The benchmark generates several monitoring files in the **output directory**, each containing time-synchronized measurements from different subsystems.

| File | Description |
|------|--------------|
| `output.csv` | Primary timing dataset (sample and session jitter metrics). |
| `cpu_monitor.csv` | CPU temperature, frequency, and utilization per core. |
| `cpustat_monitor.csv` | Detailed CPU statistics (user/system/idle times, context switches). |
| `irq_monitor.csv` | IRQ activity counts per CPU core over time. |
| `softirq_monitor.csv` | Kernel-level soft interrupt counts per CPU core. |
| `meminfo_monitor.csv` | Memory pressure and allocation statistics. |
| `sysinfo.json` | System configuration and metadata (CPU topology, kernel version, etc.). |

---

### Structure of `output.csv`

The file `output.csv` contains per-sample jitter measurements recorded during the benchmark.  
Each row represents a single sampling point with both **sample-level** and **session-level** timing information.

| Column | Description | Units |
|---------|--------------|-------|
| `timestamp` | Timestamp of the measurement | ISO 8601 datetime |
| `SampleMin` | Minimum latency within current sampling window | microseconds (µs) |
| `SampleMax` | Maximum latency within current sampling window | microseconds (µs) |
| `SmplJitter` | Difference between `SampleMax` and `SampleMin` (per-sample jitter) | microseconds (µs) |
| `SessionMin` | Minimum latency observed since session start | microseconds (µs) |
| `SessionMax` | Maximum latency observed since session start | microseconds (µs) |
| `SessionJitter` | `SessionMax - SessionMin`, cumulative jitter for the session | microseconds (µs) |
| `Sample` | Sequential sample index | integer |


## What Is the cyclictest Benchmark for RT?

Cyclictest repeatedly and precisely measures the gap between a thread’s scheduled wake-up time and the moment it actually wakes from clock_nanosleep, providing detailed latency statistics. It identifies real-time latency sources across hardware, firmware, and the operating system.

for more details see [here](https://wiki.linuxfoundation.org/realtime/documentation/howto/tools/cyclictest/start)


### Input Data Description

The benchmark generates several monitoring files in the **output directory**, each containing time-synchronized measurements from different subsystems.

| File | Description |
|------|--------------|
| `output.csv` | csv file containing test results |
| `cpu_monitor.csv` | CPU temperature, frequency, and utilization per core. |
| `cpustat_monitor.csv` | Detailed CPU statistics (user/system/idle times, context switches). |
| `irq_monitor.csv` | IRQ activity counts per CPU core over time. |
| `softirq_monitor.csv` | Kernel-level soft interrupt counts per CPU core. |
| `meminfo_monitor.csv` | Memory pressure and allocation statistics. |
| `sysinfo.json` | System configuration and metadata (CPU topology, kernel version, etc.). |

---

### Structure of `output.csv`

| Short | Explanation                                                         |
|--------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `timestamp` | Timestamp of the measurement                                     |
| `T`      | Thread: Thread index and thread ID                                  |
| `P`      | Priority: RT thread priority                                        |
| `I`      | Interval: Intended wake up period for the latency measuring threads |
| `C`      | Count: Number of times the latency was measured (iteration count)   |
| `Min`    | Minimum: Minimum latency that was measured                          |
| `Act`    | Actual: Latency measured during the latest completed iteration      |
| `Avg`    | Average: Average latency that was measured                          |
| `Max`    | Maximum: Maximum latency that was measured                          |