Is there any way to assign a specific CPU Core to NIS 2009 processes?

Norton Security | Norton Internet Security
1

Hi folks,

 

I am using XP, SP3, 32-bit and notice that NIS 2009 is not taking advantage of the alternate CPU Cores in  my system.

 

Is this by the inherent design or is there a way to leverage the other cores, therefore taking advantage of a dual or quad core CPU?

 

I also tried it with Vista - same result.

 

Any thoughts?

 

:smileysurprised:

 

 

2

Enquiring mind asks: “Can windows itself do it?”

3

Hi folks,

 

I am using XP, SP3, 32-bit and notice that NIS 2009 is not taking advantage of the alternate CPU Cores in  my system.

 

Is this by the inherent design or is there a way to leverage the other cores, therefore taking advantage of a dual or quad core CPU?

 

I also tried it with Vista - same result.

 

Any thoughts?

 

:smileysurprised:

 

 

4

Hi -

 

Well, XP and Vista are supposed to support dual-core, etc.

 

It's up to the Software Developer (i.e. Symantec) to make use of it.

 

Perhaps they can provide some information.

 

:smileywink:

Message Edited by Compumind on 03-23-2009 06:07 PM
5

This is not my area of expertise. However, my own tests on dual core, seem to indicate that one core is used until the load becomes so great that the 2nd core comes into play. I dare say that some applications are written to place work burden on both cores at the same time. Perhaps therefore Norton is no sufficiently demanding that it requires more than the single core?

6

Norton Internet Security does use multiple cores. Please see the thread asking “Why is Norton Internet Security 2009 not using multiple cores?”

7

Hi Reese -

 

If what you are saying is true, then how is it that all NIS 2009 processes run on the first core (Win XP, SP3) and are not listed on the second core, during a full system scan, etc. I kept Windows Task Manager open and was dynamically viewing the CPU time and usage of each core. Not once did I notice a bump to the second core.

 

In fairness, none of my other applications did either. Just native Windows XP processes.

 

:smileysurprised:

 

 

8

Have you tried running multiple scans at once as Garret suggested? With a single scan you are bound heavily to the speed of your hard drive so it may be very difficult to see any activity from a second thread.

 

You also have to keep in mind that the operating system chooses the scheduling of which process/thread runs on which core. The OS generally will schedule everything on only one CPU unless there really is a need to move on to the second CPU.

 

Edit: correct spelling

Message Edited by reese_anschultz on 03-24-2009 11:13 AM
9

Hi Reese:

 

I will give it a try and report back.

 

In any case, is it possible to force all NIS 2009 processes to run permanently on another core, sort of acting like "Load Balancing?"

 

Not to be Norton specific, but I have run many programs at once and they not seem to bounce over to the second core - so I have trouble understand this type of software methodology - at least how Microsoft applies it.

 

I also know that part has to do with the way that the software is written.

 

Thanks.

 

:smileyhappy:

 

 

Message Edited by Compumind on 03-24-2009 01:58 PM
10

There isn't any way to set a processor affinity within the Norton products and I don't know of any way through the operating system to configure it for a particular executable file, but there may be one.

 

On my Win XP system, I can specify an affinty for running processes from Task Manager. From the Processes tab, right-click on the Image that you're interested in and select Set Affinity... From there you can remove the primary CPU from the available options.

 

Edit: clarified 'for running processes'

Message Edited by reese_anschultz on 03-24-2009 11:52 AM
11

Hi Reese:

 

Do you have a listing of all processes that NIS 2009 creates?

 

I wonder if, using Processor Affinity, I could move the product, process by process to another core on a sustaining basis.

 

Technological curiosity!

 

Thanks.

 

:smileyhappy:

12
Compumind wrote:

 

Do you have a listing of all processes that NIS 2009 creates?

 


Not really, but the two ccSvcHst.exe processes are the only processes that run on an ongoing basis. All of the others get launched through user actions.

13

There is a free utility available named "THG Task Assignment Manager". It allows you to make the changes to affinity for certain processes.

 

You can download it from here.

 

--Vinod

14

Hi Pore -

 

Thank you very much for that link.

 

These Dual and Quad core systems are pitched very well, but many applications, etc., are still not mature enough to take advantage of them.

 

Regards.

 

:smileyvery-happy:

Message Edited by Compumind on 03-27-2009 09:27 PM