Method, apparatus, and program for measuring server performance using multiple clients

• US 20030055956A1
• Filed: 09/20/2001
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Arora, Rajiv, Gordon, Jesse Mannes
• Granted Patent: US 6,961,769 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3428 Benchmarking

Abstract

Server performance is bench marked using multiple master processes. A local master process is created for each client computer system applying load on the server. Then a global master process is created on a physical computer system on which neither client nor server processes are running. The global master is responsible for the proper execution of the bench mark. The global master uses an inter-master communications protocol that enforces coordination among the disparate client systems and processes.

Claims

1. A method, in a global master process, for measuring server performance, comprising:

invoking a plurality of local master processes, wherein each of the plurality of local master processes executes on a separate client in a network;

instructing the plurality of local master processes to begin a bench mark phase; and

receiving results from the plurality of local master processes.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) instructing the plurality of local master processes to run an iteration of a test;

(b) receiving at least one metric from each of the plurality of local master processes;

(c) computing a confidence interval for the at least one metric for each of the plurality of local master processes;

(d) determining whether each confidence interval is less than a respective threshold; and

repeating steps (a) through (d) until all confidence intervals are less than their respective thresholds.

3. A method, in a local master process, for measuring server performance, comprising:

creating at least one worker process;

receiving an instruction from a global master process to begin a bench mark phase;

instructing the at least one worker process to begin the bench mark phase; and

reporting results of the phase to the global master process.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the local master process executes on a first client.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the global master process executes on a second client.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one worker process applies load on a server.

7. A method for measuring server performance using multiple clients, comprising:

creating a global master process on a master client;

creating local master processes on a plurality of bench mark clients; and

synchronizing the local master processes using the global master process.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the local master processes creates worker processes that apply load on a server.

9. An apparatus for measuring server performance in a global master process, comprising:

invocation means for invoking a plurality of local master processes, wherein each of the plurality of local master processes executes on a separate client in a network;

signal means for instructing the plurality of local master processes to begin a bench mark phase; and

receipt means for receiving results from the plurality of local master processes.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

iteration means for repeatedly instructing the plurality of local master processes to run an iteration of a test until a plurality of metrics have converged.

11. An apparatus for measuring server performance in a local master process, comprising:

creation means for creating at least one worker process;

receipt means for receiving an instruction from a global master process to begin a bench mark phase;

signal means for instructing the at least one worker process to begin the bench mark phase; and

report means for reporting results of the phase to the global master process.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the local master process executes on a first client.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the global master process executes on a second client.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one worker process applies load on a server.

15. An apparatus for measuring server performance using multiple clients, comprising:

first creation means for creating a global master process on a master client;

second creation means for creating local master processes on a plurality of bench mark clients; and

synchronization means for synchronizing the local master processes using the global master process.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each of the local master processes creates worker processes that apply load on the server.

17. An apparatus for measuring server performance, comprising:

a global master client, wherein the global master client executes a global master process;

a plurality of bench mark clients, wherein the plurality of bench mark clients execute a plurality of local master processes; and

a server, wherein the local master processes create worker processes that apply load on the server under control of the global master process.

18. A computer program product for measuring server performance in a global master process, comprising:

instructions for invoking a plurality of local master processes, wherein each of the plurality of local master processes executes on a separate client in a network;

instructions for instructing the plurality of local master processes to begin a bench mark phase; and

instructions for receiving results from the plurality of local master processes.

19. A computer program product, in a computer readable medium, for measuring server performance in a local master process, comprising:

instructions for creating at least one worker process;

instructions for receiving an instruction from a global master process to begin a bench mark phase;

instructions for instructing the at least one worker process to begin the bench mark phase; and

instructions for reporting results of the phase to the global master process.