Server-Based Approaches
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Polling Server
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Today, we will discuss how polling servers work. Can anyone tell me what a polling server does?
Doesn't it check for waiting tasks at regular intervals like a periodic task?
Exactly! A polling server runs at the start of its defined period and checks for any waiting aperiodic tasks.
What happens if no aperiodic tasks are waiting?
Good question! If no tasks are waiting, the server's budget can go unused for that period, which can lead to inefficiency.
So itβs like a scheduled check-up that might end up being wasted time!
Exactly! Think of it as a routine doctor visit; if you're healthy, the visit might feel unnecessary.
To sum up, the polling server is simple to implement, but it may not always use its budget efficiently.
Deferrable Server
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Next, letβs explore deferrable servers. How does this server differ from a polling server?
I think a deferrable server can hold its budget if no aperiodic tasks are ready.
Correct! This allows it to use its budget later in the same period if an aperiodic task arrives. Why might this be better?
It should lead to faster responses for aperiodic tasks since the budget isn't wasted.
Absolutely! It provides a better response time for aperiodic tasks compared to polling servers.
Remember, the advantage of having a deferrable server is that it keeps the budget for when it's truly needed.
Sporadic Server
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Now, letβs discuss sporadic serversβthe most sophisticated type. How does a sporadic server process its budget?
Doesnβt it wait until a specific replenishment time to restore its budget?
Exactly! The replenishment time is set, ensuring that the server conserves its budget until it's actually needed.
So itβs more efficient, right? It wonβt waste its budget like a polling server would.
Absolutely! This efficiency in managing energy contributes to maintaining the schedulability of periodic tasks.
In summary, the sporadic server offers the best configuration for sporadic tasks, balancing the needs of both aperiodic and periodic tasks.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
This section discusses server-based approaches like Polling Servers, Deferrable Servers, and Sporadic Servers, which enable better scheduling of aperiodic and sporadic tasks while maintaining the predictability of periodic tasks in real-time systems.
Detailed
Server-Based Approaches
In real-time systems, server-based approaches enhance the management of aperiodic and sporadic tasks while ensuring that the scheduling of periodic tasks remains predictable. These approaches typically involve creating 'server tasks' that reserve CPU resources for non-periodic tasks, ensuring that they can meet their deadlines even in the presence of periodic tasks. Here are the three main types of server-based approaches:
- Polling Server: A polling server acts like a periodic task with a defined period (Ts) and budget (Cs). At the beginning of each period, it checks for any pending aperiodic tasks. If any tasks are waiting, it will execute them for its allocated budget. This server is straightforward to implement but can waste its budget if no tasks are waiting at polling times.
- Deferrable Server: Similar to a polling server, but it defers its budget consumption until an aperiodic task actually arrives. If no tasks are available at the start of the period, the budget is retained for subsequent aperiodic task arrivals, improving responsiveness.
- Sporadic Server: This is the most efficient of the server types. It uses a budget and period as well, but it replenishes its budget only after consuming it according to a specific replenishment time. This control prevents the server from continuously consuming resources, allowing for better prioritization of periodic tasks.
Overall, these server-based mechanisms allow systems to efficiently manage unpredictability associated with aperiodic tasks while adhering to the real-time constraints of periodic tasks.
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Polling Server
Chapter 1 of 3
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Chapter Content
A polling server is treated as a periodic task itself, with its own period (Ts) and budget (Cs). At the start of its period, if the server is allowed to run, it 'polls' (checks) for any waiting aperiodic tasks. If an aperiodic task is waiting, the server executes it for up to its budget Cs. If no aperiodic task is waiting, or if the budget is used up, the server suspends until its next period.
Detailed Explanation
A polling server acts like a scheduled task in a real-time system, designed specifically to handle aperiodic tasks. It runs at set intervals defined by its period (Ts). When it starts, it checks if there are any aperiodic tasks waiting to be executed. If there are, it runs them using its allocated budget (Cs), which limits how much CPU time it can use during that period. If there are no tasks, or if it has exhausted its budget, it goes inactive until the next scheduled time. This method allows the system to manage aperiodic tasks without significantly affecting the execution of periodic tasks.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a bus that operates on a fixed schedule (like the polling server with its period). At each bus stop (each polling period), the driver checks if there are passengers waiting to board (the aperiodic tasks). If someone is waiting, the driver carries them (executes the task) but can only take a maximum number of passengers (the budget) per trip. If no one is at the stop or they've reached their limit, the bus will leave and return later for the next scheduled stop, just as the server waits for the next period.
Deferrable Server
Chapter 2 of 3
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Chapter Content
Similar to a polling server, it's a periodic task with a budget Cs and period Ts. However, if no aperiodic task is ready when the server's period starts, its budget is deferred and can be used later in the same period if an aperiodic task arrives. The budget is not immediately consumed and wasted.
Detailed Explanation
A deferrable server also functions within defined periods and maintains a budget for executing aperiodic tasks. The difference lies in how it handles situations when no tasks are available at the beginning of its period. Instead of wasting its budget, it holds onto it for potential use later in that period. This means when an aperiodic task arrives after the period has started, the server can utilize the deferred budget to execute the task, allowing for better resource management and response times for those tasks.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a deferrable server like a chef who has a certain amount of time set aside to prepare special dishes (the budget). If no customers order these dishes at the beginning of the meal service (the period), the chef can save that time. If an order comes in later, they can still use that saved time to prepare the dish without losing any opportunity to serve other guests in the meantime.
Sporadic Server
Chapter 3 of 3
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Chapter Content
The most sophisticated and efficient server. It also has a budget Cs and period Ts. The key difference is how the budget is replenished. When the server consumes its budget, it sets a 'replenishment time' (treplenish) in the future, typically at tcurrent + Ts. The budget is restored only at this replenishment time, preventing the server from continuously consuming its budget without waiting for a full period.
Detailed Explanation
A sporadic server is a more advanced mechanism for handling aperiodic and sporadic tasks, effectively managing the CPU's capacity. It has a designated budget and a period, similar to the previous servers. However, when it uses its budget for a task, it doesn't immediately refill it. Instead, it establishes a replenishment time, indicating when it can access its budget again. This mechanism ensures that the server doesn't deplete its resources too quickly, allowing it to conserve capacity for critical tasks and maintain the balance between periodic task execution and sporadic task handling.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a bakery that produces custom cakes (akin to sporadic tasks). They have a limited amount of special ingredients (the budget) available each day (the period). If the bakery uses some ingredients to make a cake, they set a note saying when those ingredients can be replenished. This way, they ensure they donβt run out too quickly, allowing for consistent cake production without compromising the quality or availability of future orders.
Key Concepts
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Polling Server: A server that polls for aperiodic tasks at the beginning of its period.
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Deferrable Server: A type of server that can defer its budget and improve task handling.
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Sporadic Server: The most efficient server type that waits to replenish its budget.
Examples & Applications
A polling server checks for tasks every 100ms, using its budget if tasks are waiting.
A deferrable server holds its budget if no aperiodic tasks are available, allowing for responsive task handling.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Polling, checking, budget blocking; Deferrable saves till tasks are knocking.
Stories
Imagine a waiter (the polling server) checking every table (task) for orders. If no one orders, his work goes wasted. The deferrable server, however, waits patiently until someone waves him over, ensuring no effort goes unused.
Memory Tools
PS - Polling Server, waits and sees; DS - Deferrable, saves with ease; SS - Sporadic, budget timed, tasks in rhythm, perfectly aligned.
Acronyms
PDS - Polling, Deferrable, and Sporadic. The key servers managing aperiodic tasks.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Polling Server
A server that acts like a periodic task, checking for waiting aperiodic tasks at the start of its period.
- Deferrable Server
A server that defers its budget consumption until an aperiodic task arrives, improving efficiency.
- Sporadic Server
An advanced type of server that sets a replenishment time for its budget, conserving resources until needed.
Reference links
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