The PTDaemon® Tool

The PTDaemon tool is used to control benchmarks that contain a power measurement component. This tool controls the power analyzers and is updated as needed to support new analyzers and features. The current version is V1.9.2, released on December 16th, 2020.

The PTDaemon tool is distributed as part of selected SPEC licensed software; the SPECpower_ssj® 2008 benchmark, the SERT® suite and SPECvirt_sc® 2013. Each benchmark has its own independent requirement for a minimum version of the PTDaemon tool.

To obtain the latest version, go to the PTDaemon update pages. (https://www.spec.org/power/docs/SPECpower-PTD-Update_Process.html)

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• Device Ordering Considerations
• List of Accepted Power Analyzers
• List of Accepted Temperature Sensors
• Compatibility Across OS and Connection Types
• SPEC Acceptance Process for Power Analyzers
• PTDaemon update process and latest release

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Device Ordering Considerations

Multiple SPEC benchmarks provide infrastructure software to connect, control, and collect data from power and temperature measurement devices.  All measurement devices must be equipped with at least one of the communication interfaces supported by the benchmark. 

When ordering devices, be aware that some of these devices can be ordered in multiple configurations, including configurations with no interface or an unsupported communication interface.  Only base configurations of the devices listed below are supported and must include a supported communications interface.  Additional options such as external current transformers are presently not supported.  Please contact SPEC support if you have questions.

Power analyzers are available with wide ranges of capabilities and capacities.  Computer systems have a wide range of power requirements.  Global standards for line voltage are quite different from one country to another.  Therefore, users should be aware that any one combination of the three above contributing factors may not provide the capability or required accuracy to measure very high or sometimes very low power. 

The analyzers listed below have been tested and found to function well for a relatively narrow range of power provider and power consumption conditions, essentially for volume server class computers in the one to four socket range, including similar blade configurations.   The list of accepted power analyzers below also indicates which analyzers have specific limitations that impact compliance with the run and reporting rules for SPEC benchmarks.  When using one of these analyzers, one must ensure that the listed limitations are not violated.  Results will be invalidated in cases where one of these analyzers was used and the System Under Test (SUT) exceeded the current limits of said analyzer. 

More detailed properties, limitations and setup instructions specific to each power analyzer may be found in the Power and Temperature Measurement Setup Guide, formerly called the Hardware Setup Guide.

SPEC recommends that the user consult with a qualified electrical engineer prior to purchase of a power analyzer.

BE SURE to read, understand, and follow all of the safety rules and installation instructions that come with your power analyzer and system under test (SUT).

PLEASE NOTE:   No current sensors or shunts external to the analyzer are allowed in submissions.   They must be either disabled or removed.  Also, auto ranging cannot be used.  This applies to all analyzers.