March 22^nd, 2013:  A new version of PTDaemon is now available
SPEC has released a new version of PTDaemon v1.6.0 which is now available to all licensees of SPECpower_ssj2008 and SERT.  This release adds support for the Yokogawa WT310, two iButtonLink temperature sensors, and 3-phase power measurement support. Additional stability enhancements and support for non-standard baud rates have also been added, among other changes. Users of SPECpower_ssj2008 and the SERT tool are encouraged to download and apply the update.

For users of SPECpower_ssj2008, refer to the below notes for valid PTD version choices: 

Use of v1.5.0 will temporarily continue to be accepted for SPECpower_ssj2008 submissions until midnight September 18^th, 2013.    All SPECpower_ssj2008 submissions on or after September 18^th, 2013 must be made with v1.6.0 (or higher) of PTDaemon.

Use of v1.4.2 will temporarily continue to be accepted for SPECpower_ssj2008 submissions until midnight June 12^th, 2013.    All SPECpower_ssj2008 submissions on or after June 13^th, 2013 must be made with v1.5.0 (or higher) of PTDaemon.



Please see http://www.spec.org/power/docs/SPECpower-Device_List.html  for the latest accepted device list and xdelta patch files.

Accepted Measurement Devices  &  PTDaemon Update Process

• Device Ordering Considerations
• List of Accepted Power Analyzers
• List of Accepted Temperature Sensors
• Compatibility Across OS and Connection Types
• SPEC Power Temperature Daemon (PTDaemon) Update Process
• SPEC Acceptance Process for Power Analyzers

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 for use with this benchmark, 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 list of analyzers 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 which 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.

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

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).

DO NOT USE PTDaemon WITH DC VOLTAGE SOURCES!  SPEC’s PTDaemon is designed only to measure AC power, and will initialize power analyzer settings for AC power measurement.  Using PTDaemon to attempt to measure DC power will not work correctly and may cause damage to your power analyzer.

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.