Computer system for managing performances of storage apparatus and performance management method of the computer system

• US 20040193827A1
• Filed: 08/05/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Mogi, Kazuhiko, Nishikawa, Norifumi, Idei, Hideomi
• Granted Patent: US 7,089,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/170
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3409 for performance assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3419 by assessing time
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3433 for load management allocation of a server based on load conditions G06F9/505; load rebalancing G06F9/5083; redistributing the load in a network by a load balancer H04L67/1029
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3485 for I/O devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/221 Column-oriented storage; Management thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/81 Threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/815 Virtual
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/88 Monitoring involving counting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/885 Monitoring specific for caches
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/508 Monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5083 Techniques for rebalancing the load in a distributed system

Abstract

In a computer system with a DBMS running thereon, management of the performance of a storage apparatus is executed by using a performance indicator provided by a user job so as to simplify the management of the performance. For this reason, a management server employed in the computer system monitors an operating state of each system element, a response time onto a job and other information. Pre-given information on a process such as a performance requirement the collected monitored information are used by the management server in issuing a command to change allocation of a processing amount to a port, an allocation of a cache area for data, the logical configuration of disc drives and other parameters in order to carry out the new process or in the case where a result of a judgment based on the monitored information indicates that tuning is necessary. In the case of a process for a batch job, a method for estimating a processing time is given to the management server, which issues a setting modification command based on an estimated processing time. In the case of a process for an on-line job, on the other hand, a command to modify settings of a member bearing a heavy load is issued in the case where a response time on a process and/or a throughput do not meet their performance requirement.

Claims

1. A performance management method provided for a computer system having a computer for executing a program and a storage apparatus for storing data used in execution of said program, said performance management method comprising:

a procedure (1) for acquiring information on a performance required for said program;

a procedure (2) for acquiring mapping information of said data used in execution of said program from said computer and said storage apparatus;

a procedure (3) for acquiring utilization statistic information from said storage apparatus;

a procedure (10) for creating a plan to change settings of said storage apparatus by using said information acquired by said procedures (1) to (3); and

a procedure (11) for issuing a request for a setting change according to said plan to change settings to said storage apparatus.

2. A performance management method provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 1, said performance management method further comprising a procedure (4) for acquiring information on a priority level of said program;

wherein said information acquired by said procedure (4) is also used in said procedure (10) to create said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus.

3. A performance management method provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said procedure (1) includes a process for acquiring a processing execution time required for said program, a method for estimating a processing execution time and the amount of data supplied to said program as an input; and

said procedure (10) uses said processing execution time required for said program, said method for estimating a processing execution time and said amount of data input to said program in creating said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus.

4. A performance management method provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 3 whereby said utilization statistic information acquired by said procedure (3) is used in acquiring said method for estimating a processing execution time.

5. A performance management method provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said procedure (1) includes a process for acquiring information on a processing response time required for said program and information on an actually measured value of said processing response time on said program; and

said procedure (10) uses said information on a processing response time required for said program and said information on an actually measured value of said processing response time on said program in creating said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus.

6. A performance management method provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said storage apparatus has a port for connecting said storage apparatus to an external apparatus and has a priority-access control function for limiting an amount of processing making accesses through said port; and

said plan created in said procedure (10) to change settings of said storage apparatus is a plan to change a set value of said priority-access control function.

7. A performance management method provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said storage apparatus has a data cache segmented into several cache areas and managed by using said cache areas and has a function of dynamically allocating said cache area onto said segmented data cache, removing said cache area from said segmented data cache and changing the size of said cache area of said segmented data cache; and

said plan created in said procedure (10) to change settings of said storage apparatus is a plan to allocate said cache area onto said segmented data cache, remove said cache area from said segmented data cache and change the size of said cache area of said segmented data cache.

8. A performance management method provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said storage apparatus has at least two physical storage means, a function of presenting a logical storage area using a storage area of said physical storage means and a physical storage location modification function of dynamically changing a relation associating said logical storage area with said storage area of said physical storage means; and

said plan created in said procedure (10) to change settings of said storage apparatus is a plan to issue a command for changing said relation associating said logical storage area with said storage area of said physical storage means by execution of said physical storage location modification function.

9. A performance management method provided for a computer system having a first computer for operating a data base management system, a second computer for executing a program issuing a request for a process to said database management system and a storage apparatus for storing data handled by said database management system, said performance management method comprising:

a procedure (21) for acquiring information on performance required for said program;

a procedure (22) for acquiring information on data in a database used in a process specified in said request issued by said program to said database management system;

a procedure (23) for acquiring mapping information of data used for executing said program from said first computer and said storage apparatus;

a procedure (24) for acquiring utilization statistic information from said storage apparatus;

a procedure (30) for creating a plan to change settings of said storage apparatus by using said information acquired by said procedures (21) to (24); and

a procedure (31) for issuing a command for changing settings in accordance with said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus to said storage apparatus.

10. A performance management method provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first and second computers are one and the same computer.

11. A performance management method provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

said storage apparatus has a port for connecting said storage apparatus to an external apparatus and has a priority-access control function for limiting an amount of processing making accesses through said port; and

said plan created in said procedure (30) to change settings of said storage apparatus is a plan to change a set value of said priority-access control function.

12. A performance management method provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

said storage apparatus has a data cache segmented into several cache areas and managed by using said cache areas and has a function of dynamically allocating said cache area to said segmented data cache, removing said cache area from said segmented data cache and changing the size of said cache area of said segmented data cache; and

said plan created in said procedure (30) to change settings of said storage apparatus is a plan to allocate said cache area to said segmented data cache, remove said cache area from said segmented data cache and change the size of said cache area of said segmented data cache.

13. A performance management method provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

said storage apparatus has at least two physical storage means, a function of presenting a logical storage area using a storage area of said physical storage means and a physical storage location modification function of dynamically changing a relation associating said logical storage area with said storage area of said physical storage means; and

said plan created in said procedure (30) to change settings of said storage apparatus is a plan to issue a command for changing said relation associating said logical storage area with said storage area of said physical storage means by execution of said physical storage location modification function.

14. A computer system for managing performance of a storage apparatus, said computer system comprising:

a first computer for operating a database management system;

a second computer for executing a program issuing a request for a process to said database management system;

said storage apparatus for storing data handled by said database management system; and

a management apparatus;

wherein said management apparatus is used for;

acquiring

information on performance required for said program;

information on data in a database data used in a process specified in said request issued by said program to said database management system;

mapping information of said data used in execution of said program from said first computer and said storage apparatus; and

utilization statistic information from said storage apparatus;

creating a plan to change settings of said storage apparatus by using said acquired information; and

issuing a command for changing settings in accordance with said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus to said storage apparatus.

15. A computer system for managing performance of a storage apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said first and second computers are one and the same computer.

16. A computer system for managing performance of a storage apparatus in accordance with claim 14, said computer system further comprising a storage control apparatus connected between said first computer and said storage apparatus and used for controlling data transfers between said first computer and said storage apparatus.

17. A computer system for managing performance of a storage apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said first or second computer implements a function of collecting said information of said management apparatus, creating said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus and issuing a command for changing settings in accordance with said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus to said storage apparatus.

18. A computer system for managing performance of a storage apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said storage apparatus implements a function of collecting said information of said storage apparatus, creating said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus and issuing a command for changing settings in accordance with said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus to said storage apparatus.

19. A computer system for managing performance of a storage apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said storage control apparatus implements a function of collecting said information of said storage apparatus, creating said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus and issuing a command for changing settings in accordance with said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus to said storage apparatus.

20. A management apparatus for managing performance of a computer system having a first computer for operating a database management system, a second computer for executing a program issuing a request for a process to said database management system and a storage apparatus for storing data handled by said database management system,

wherein said management apparatus is used for:

acquiring

information on performance required for said program;

information on data in a database used in a process specified in said request issued by said program to said database management system;

mapping information of said data used in execution of said program from said first computer and said storage apparatus; and

utilization statistic information from said storage apparatus,

creating a plan to change settings of said storage apparatus by using said acquired information; and

issuing a command for changing settings in accordance with said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus to said storage apparatus.

21. A management apparatus for managing performance of a computer system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said first and second computers are one and the same computer.

22. A management apparatus for managing performance of a computer system in accordance with claim 20 wherein:

said storage apparatus has a port for connecting said storage apparatus to an external apparatus and has a priority-access control function of limiting an amount of processing making accesses through said port; and

said plan created by said management apparatus to change settings of said storage apparatus is a plan to change a set value of said priority-access control function.

23. A management apparatus for managing performance of a computer system in accordance with claim 20 wherein:

said storage apparatus has a data cache segmented into several cache areas and managed by using said cache areas and has a function of dynamically allocating said cache area to said segmented data cache, removing said cache area from said segmented data cache and changing the size of said cache area of said segmented data cache; and

said plan created by said management apparatus to change settings of said storage apparatus is a plan to allocate said cache area to said segmented data cache, remove said cache area from said segmented data cache and change the size of said cache area of said segmented data cache.

24. A management apparatus for managing performance of a computer system in accordance with claim 20 wherein:

said storage apparatus has at least two physical storage means, a function of presenting a logical storage area using a storage area of said physical storage means and a physical storage location modification function of dynamically changing a relation associating said logical storage area with said storage area of said physical storage means; and

said plan created by said management apparatus to change settings of said storage apparatus is a plan to issue a command for changing said relation associating said logical storage area with said storage area of said physical storage means by execution of said physical storage location modification function.

25. A performance management program provided for a computer system having a computer for executing a software program and a storage apparatus for storing data used in execution of said software program, said performance management program implementing a function for collecting information from said computer system, using said collected information to create a plan to change settings of said storage apparatus and issuing a command for changing settings in accordance with said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus to said storage apparatus by executions of:

a function for acquiring information on a performance required for said software program;

a function for acquiring mapping information of said data used in execution of said software program from said first computer and said storage apparatus; and

a function for acquiring utilization statistic information from said storage apparatus.

26. A performance management program provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 25, said performance management program further having a function for collecting information on a priority level of said software program;

wherein said computer system collects information on a priority level of said software program and uses said collected information to set a plan to change settings of said storage apparatus.

27. A performance management program provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 25 wherein:

said function of acquiring information on performance required for said software program is executed to acquire a processing execution time required for said software program, a method for estimating a processing execution time and an amount of data supplied to said software program as an input; and

said processing execution time required for said software program, said method for estimating a processing execution time and said amount of data supplied to said software program as an input are used in creating said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus.

28. A performance management program provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 27 wherein said utilization statistic information acquired by one of said functions are used in creating said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus.

29. A performance management program provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 25 whereby:

said function of acquiring information on a performance required for said software program is executed to acquire information on a processing response time required for said software program and information on an actually measured value of said processing response time in said software program; and

said information on a processing response time required for said software program and said information on an actually measured value of said processing response time in said software program are used in creating said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus.

30. A computer-readable recording medium for recording said performance management program provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 25.

31. A performance management program provided for a computer system having a first computer for operating a database management system, a second computer for executing a software program issuing a request for a process to said database management system, a storage apparatus for storing data handled by said database management system and a storage control apparatus connected between said first computer and said storage apparatus and used for controlling data transfers between said first computer and said storage apparatus, said performance management program implementing a function for collecting information from said computer system, using said collected information to create a plan to change settings of said storage apparatus and issuing a command for changing settings in accordance with said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus to said storage apparatus by executions of:

a function for acquiring information on performance required for said software program;

a function for acquiring information on data of a database used in a process specified in said request issued by said software program to said database management system;

a function for acquiring mapping information of said data used in execution of said software program from said first computer and said storage apparatus; and

a function for acquiring utilization statistic information from said storage apparatus.

32. A performance management program provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 31 wherein said first and second computers are one and the same computer.

33. A performance management program provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 31 wherein said first or second computer implements a function of collecting said information, creating said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus and issuing a command for changing settings in accordance with said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus to said storage apparatus.

34. A performance management program provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 31 wherein said storage apparatus implements a function of collecting said information, creating said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus and issuing a command for changing settings in accordance with said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus to said storage apparatus.

35. A performance management program provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 31 wherein said storage control apparatus implements a function of collecting said information, creating said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus and issuing a command for changing settings in accordance with said plan to change settings of said storage apparatus to said storage apparatus.

36. A computer-readable recording medium for recording said performance management program provided for a computer system in accordance with claim 31.