Google Cloud Trace

Cloud Trace is the instrument of diagnostics of the applications started in a cloud on the Google App Engine platform.

On January 8 Google announced the beginning of trial operation of the full-function beta of Cloud Trace. The product is created for assistance in optimization of runtime of separate functions and identification of the "narrow" places affecting performance of operation of applications and systems.

Appointment

Purpose of Google Cloud Trace - the help in diagnostics of the applications started in "cloud" on the Google App Engine platform. Using this tool problem solving, the applications connected with identification of insufficient performance caused by time delays on accomplishment of separate transactions is possible.

The Cloud Trace mechanism is connected to flows of the instructions directed to cloud services and conducts their trace. It is capable to reveal decelerations in request processing and responses of a cloud system. Having received a detailed report about the events the developer can localize "place" of dead times and fix a problem.

Cloud Trace reminds Dynamic Tracing (DTrace) — an instrumental packet for dynamic trace and debugging of a core and the applications used for Solaris and others by Unix systems. Initially the product was developed by SUN Microsystems, now it appeared under Linux.

Google Cloud Trace technology

All measurements are carried out in real time. Google Cloud Trace "rings out" processes and accumulates statistics about time of their responses. The analysis of collected data helps to reveal sections with delays or an untimely response. Placing collected data on the diagram it is possible to receive the broad picture about the delays occurring at system operation.

The complexity of a task is that falling of performance often is not shown obviously. The developer does not see failures if a system in general runs smoothly that does not mean - the problem does not exist. It can be shown as a result of action of indirect factors.

Cloud Trace decomposes a flow of appeals to cloud functions on components, doing breakdown about several milliseconds long. Such preparation helps the developer to understand to what element in a cloud subsystem the existing appeal is sent.

The tool is able to collect the requests sent by different users that helps to reveal places of emergence of intensive delays and what interrelation with increase of number of users.

Search of the solution - in making changes in the application program and comparison of delays with use of measurements of Cloud Trace made before changes. Result: the required combination is selected.

Use of Google Cloud Trace

Work with Cloud Trace will require the Google Developers Console console. Having connected Cloud Trace to a certain application, it can be started in work. Cloud Trace superstructure rather "thin" therefore its adding has no little significant effect on performance.

Screenshot of Google Developers Console, 2015

Google noted that Cloud Trace for January 16, 2015 can be used only for the applications existing on the App Engine platform or any managed VM in infrastructure of Google. The company did not announce compatibility of Cloud Trace with services of cloud computing Google Compute Engine (GCE).

Screenshot of Google Cloud Trace, 2015

Following secret regulations which can be revealed on the previous starts of cloud products of Google, it is possible to expect that in a year the service Cloud Trace will receive the status of working service with full technical support^[1].

Notes