Performing a perform timing facility function instruction for sychronizing TOD clocks

US8135978B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Eberhard Engler · Rötteln, DE
• Mark S. Farrell · Pleasant Valley, US
• Klaus Meissner · Herrenberg, DE
• Ronald M. Smith, Sr. · Wappingers Falls, US
• Mark A. Check · Hopewell Junction, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 12, 2009
• Grant date: Mar 13, 2012
• Expiry date: Apr 20, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F1/14
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product for performing a Perform Timing Facility (PTFF) instruction for steering a Time of Day (TOD) clock of the computer system for synchronizing the TOD clock with TOD clocks of other computer systems. The computer system comprises a memory; and, a processor in communications with the computer memory. The processor is capable of performing a PTFF instruction comprising: obtaining a function code specified in a first general register, the function code for identifying any one of a query function or a control function to be performed; obtaining, from a second general register, a memory address of a parameter block; responsive to the function code specifying a query function, storing timing information of the computer system in the parameter block according to the specified query function; responsive to the function code specifying a control function, using timing information obtained from the parameter block to perform the specified control function; and setting a condition code value indicating an outcome of the specified function.