Windows Vista - a cautionary tale
October 2007
News
Brian’s Brain blog
Brian Dippet, senior technical editor of EDN recently blogged about Windows Vista's audio stack. The following is an edited version of that blog:
In brief, Windows Vista significantly boosts the priority of audio processes as compared to other kernel- and application-level functions, and versus Microsoft O/S predecessors. As a result, networking performance can in some situations become degraded when you record, play or even pause an audio track. Although the magnitude of the degradation was somewhat shocking to me, that it can occur was not at all a surprise.
Why did Microsoft make this implementation decision? Steve Rowe, a test development lead at Microsoft and responsible for sound in Windows, explained:
Unfortunately, (the audio) scheduler is implemented in such a way that drivers can still pre-empt it. Some networking drivers were doing too much work all at once which caused audio to glitch. To avert this, the networking system was throttled. This did not cause much of an issue for ordinary (100 megabit) networking cards and no issue at all for Internet usage (which is usually
<= 5 mbps) but did cause a noticeable drop in performance for gigabit networking cards.
To find out more about this visit Brian's blog at www.edn.com/blog/400000040.html
Further reading:
Celebrating three decades of innovation in Africa's premier industrial software conference
News
With a rich 29-year history, the X-Change User Conference stands as Africa's largest and most prestigious annual gathering dedicated to industrial software and related technology. Hosted by Industry Software Solutions & Support (IS
3), this year, X-Change 2024 promises to be even more impactful as it celebrates three decades of innovation and collaboration.
Read more...
4Sight OT Automation achieves prestigious AVEVA Endorsed Partner status
News
4Sight OT Automation, a leading industrial software solutions provider, has achieved Endorsed Partner status within the AVEVA Partner Network.
Read more...
Schneider Electric announces 2023 Global Alliance Partner Programme award winners
Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has announced the winners of the 2023 Global Alliance Excellence Awards. Throughout 2023, Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partners supported customers in the digitalisation of industrial automation, delivering value with innovative initiatives, solutions and services.
Read more...
Custom containerised lubrication dispensing system
News
Bosch Rexroth Africa recently supplied and installed a customised environmentally friendly and dust-proof lubrication dispensing system for a leading earth-moving equipment supplier.
Read more...
Siemens to acquire industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst
Siemens South Africa
News
Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire the industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst. The business includes intelligent, integrated mechatronic systems in the protective extra-low voltage range and innovative motion control systems.
Read more...
Bearings International fosters a segment strategy
Bearings International
News
Bearings International has a segment approach to the market, which places an intentional focus on key industries in South and sub-Saharan Africa in a bid to optimise operations, enhance uptime, and drive business sustainability and increased profitability outcomes for customers.
Read more...
Local robotics team’s journey to the world stage
News
In the heart of Cape Town, a group of young visionaries aged 12 to 17 is making waves in the world of robotics. Known as Texpand, this team from Pinelands has not only dominated the First Tech Challenge (FTC) in South Africa, but has also earned international acclaim for its innovative approach to engineering and problem solving.
Read more...
RS Group expands by 10 000 products
RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa has announced its Better World Claims Based Framework, enabling customers to select verified sustainable product alternatives. This provides suppliers with a standardised framework to accelerate the development and manufacture of more sustainable and responsible products.
Read more...
IRP 2023 could reset SA’s social and economic problems
News
ACTOM recently held a webinar on the ‘Draft IRP2023 Impact on the Manufacturing Sector’. South Africa’s Draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 is a key document that outlines a comprehensive strategy for addressing the country’s energy security challenges, while also setting out its transition to a diversified energy mix, including renewables.
Read more...
Young scientists to showcase innovative research
News
Innovative South African research which includes a cost-effective triage test for real-time detection of TB and a nature-based technology that brings about environmental remediation, will be showcased at this year’s International Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology in Tunisia.
Read more...
printer friendly version