METHOD OF MONITORING PERFORMANCE OF VIRTUAL COMPUTER AND APPARATUS USING THE METHOD

• US 20080295095A1
• Filed: 09/19/2007
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: WATANABE, Kentaro, Masuoka, Yoshimasa
• Granted Patent: US 8,191,069 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 718/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0712 in a virtual computing platform, e.g. logically partitioned systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0793 Remedial or corrective actions recovery from an exception in an instruction pipeline G06F9/3861; by retry G06F11/1402; for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity H04L69/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3409 for performance assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3442 for planning or managing the needed capacity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3476 Data logging G06F11/14, G06F11/2205 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/815 Virtual middleware or OS functionality using virtual machines to implement generic software techniques for error detection or fault masking G06F11/1484
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/865 Monitoring of software

Abstract

Provided are a method and an apparatus for monitoring performance of a virtual computer. In a method of controlling a computer system including a computer, the computer executes a virtualization program for causing logically divided resources of the computer to operate as first and second virtual computers, the first virtual computer executes a first OS, and the second virtual computer executes a second OS. In the method, information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program is obtained from the virtualization program, information indicating performance of the first virtual computer is obtained from the first OS, information indicating performance of the second virtual computer is obtained from the second OS, the obtained information and information indicating a time of obtainment of the information are stored in a storage system, and stored information is output.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a computer system including a computer equipped with:

a processor for executing a virtualization program for logically dividing resources including the processor of the computer and causing the divided resources to operate as a first virtual computer and a second virtual computer independent of each other; and

a storage device coupled to the processor,

the first virtual computer executing a first guest operating system, and

the second virtual computer executing a second guest operating system,

the method comprising;

a first step of obtaining information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program from the virtualization program;

a second step of obtaining information indicating performance of the first virtual computer from the first guest operating system;

a third step of obtaining information indicating performance of the second virtual computer from the second guest operating system;

a fourth step of storing the information regarding the allocated resources, information indicating a time of obtainment of the information regarding the allocated resources, the information indicating the performance, and information indicating a time of obtainment of the information indicating the performance in the storage device; and

a fifth step of outputting the information indicating the time, the information regarding the allocated resources obtained at the time, and the information indicating the performance obtained at the time.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program comprises information indicating an allocation rate of the resources to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the first virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the first virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the second virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the second virtual computer;

the first virtual computer executes a first agent program on the first guest operating system;

the second virtual computer executes a second agent program on the second guest operating system;

the first step is performed by executing the first agent program and the second agent program by the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer, respectively;

the second step is performed by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer;

the third step is performed by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer; and

the fourth step is performed by;

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the first guest operating system in the storage device by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer;

storing the information which the second virtual computer has obtained from the second guest operating system in the storage device by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer; and

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the virtualization program in the storage device by executing only the first agent program by the first virtual computer.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program comprises information indicating an allocation rate of the resources to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the first virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the first virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the second virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the second virtual computer;

the first virtual computer executes a first agent program on the first guest operating system;

the second virtual computer executes a second agent program on the second guest operating system;

the first step is performed by executing the first agent program and the second agent program by the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer, respectively;

the second step is performed by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer;

the third step is performed by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer; and

the fourth step is performed by;

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the first guest operating system in the storage device by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer;

storing the information which the second virtual computer has obtained from the second guest operating system in the storage device by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer;

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the virtualization program in the storage device by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer; and

storing the information which the second virtual computer has obtained from the virtualization program in the storage device by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer only when a load of the first virtual computer satisfies predetermined conditions.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the fourth step further includes the step of storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the virtualization program in the storage device by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer only when a load of the second virtual computer satisfies predetermined conditions upon judgment that a status where the load of the first virtual computer satisfies the predetermined conditions has continued for a predetermined period.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program comprises information indicating an allocation rate of the resources to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the first virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the first virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the second virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the second virtual computer;

the first virtual computer executes a first agent program on the first guest operating system;

the second virtual computer executes a second agent program on the second guest operating system;

the first step is performed by executing the first agent program and the second agent program by the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer, respectively;

the second step is performed by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer;

the third step is performed by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer;

the fourth step is performed by executing at least one of the first agent program and the second agent program by at least one of the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer; and

the method further comprises;

a sixth step of detecting activation of the second virtual computer by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer;

a seventh step of monitoring an allocation rate of the resources to the second virtual computer by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer after the activation of the second virtual computer; and

an eighth step of transmitting a notification of an activation failure of the second guest operating system by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer when the allocation rate of the resources to the second virtual computer satisfies predetermined conditions.

6. A computer, comprising:

a processor for executing a virtualization program for logically dividing resources including the processor of the computer and causing the divided resources to operate as a first virtual computer and second virtual computer independent of each other; and

a storage device coupled to the processor,

the first virtual computer executing a first guest operating system, and

the second virtual computer executing a second guest operating system,

wherein the processor is configured to execute;

a first step of obtaining information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program from the virtualization program;

a second step of obtaining information indicating performance of the first virtual computer from the first guest operating system;

a third step of obtaining information indicating performance of the second virtual computer from the second guest operating system;

a fourth step of storing the information regarding the allocated resources, information indicating a time of obtainment of the information regarding the allocated resources, the information indicating the performance, and information indicating a time of obtainment of the information indicating the performance in the storage device; and

a fifth step of outputting the information indicating the time, the information regarding the allocated resources obtained at the time, and the information indicating the performance obtained at the time.

7. The computer according to claim 6, wherein:

the information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program comprises information indicating an allocation rate of the resources to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the first virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the first virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the second virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the second virtual computer;

the first virtual computer executes a first agent program on the first guest operating system;

the second virtual computer executes a second agent program on the second guest operating system;

the first step is performed by executing the first agent program and the second agent program by the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer, respectively;

the second step is performed by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer;

the third step is performed by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer; and

the fourth step is performed by;

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the first guest operating system in the storage device by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer;

storing the information which the second virtual computer has obtained from the second guest operating system in the storage device by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer; and

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the virtualization program in the storage device by executing only the first agent program by the first virtual computer.

8. The computer according to claim 6, wherein:

the information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program comprises information indicating an allocation rate of the resources to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the first virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the first virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the second virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the second virtual computer;

the first virtual computer executes a first agent program on the first guest operating system;

the second virtual computer executes a second agent program on the second guest operating system;

the first step is performed by executing the first agent program and the second agent program by the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer, respectively;

the second step is performed by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer;

the third step is performed by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer; and

the fourth step is performed by;

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the first guest operating system in the storage device by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer;

storing the information which the second virtual computer has obtained from the second guest operating system in the storage device by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer;

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the virtualization program in the storage device by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer; and

storing the information which the second virtual computer has obtained from the virtualization program in the storage device by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer only when a load of the first virtual computer satisfies predetermined conditions.

9. The computer according to claim 8, wherein in the fourth step, the processor is further configured to execute the step of storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the virtualization program in the storage device through the execution of the first agent program by the first virtual computer only when a load of the second virtual computer satisfies predetermined conditions upon judgment that a status where the load of the first virtual computer satisfies the predetermined conditions has continued for a predetermined period.

10. The computer according to claim 6, wherein:

the information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program comprises information indicating an allocation rate of the resources to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the first virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the first virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the second virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the second virtual computer;

the first virtual computer executes a first agent program on the first guest operating system;

the second virtual computer executes a second agent program on the second guest operating system;

the first step is performed by executing the first agent program and the second agent program by the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer, respectively;

the second step is performed by executing the first agent program by the first virtual computer;

the third step is performed by executing the second agent program by the second virtual computer;

the fourth step is performed by executing at least one of the first agent program and the second agent program by at least one of the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer; and

the first virtual computer is further configured to execute;

a sixth step of detecting activation of the second virtual computer by executing the first agent program;

a seventh step of monitoring the allocation rate of the resources to the second virtual computer by executing the first agent program after the activation of the second virtual computer; and

an eighth step of transmitting a notification of an activation failure of the second guest operating system by executing the first agent program when the allocation rate of the resources to the second virtual computer satisfies predetermined conditions.

11. A computer-readable medium including a program for making a computer execute, wherein:

the computer including a processor for executing a virtualization program for logically dividing resources including the processor of the computer and causing the divided resources to operate as a first virtual computer and a second virtual computer independent of each other; and

the computer including a storage device coupled to the processor,

the first virtual computer executing a first guest operating system, and

the second virtual computer executing a second guest operating system,

the program comprising;

a first code for obtaining information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program from the virtualization program;

a second code for obtaining information indicating performance of the first virtual computer from the first guest operating system;

a third code for storing the information regarding the allocated resources, information indicating a time of obtainment of the information regarding the allocated resources, the information indicating the performance, and information indicating a time of obtainment of the information indicating the performance in the storage device; and

a fourth code for outputting the information indicating the time, the information regarding the allocated resources obtained at the time, and the information indicating the performance obtained at the time.

12. The computer-readable medium according to claim 11, wherein:

the information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program comprises information indicating an allocation rate of the resources to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the first virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the first virtual computer;

the program is executed by the first virtual computer on the first guest operating system; and

the third code further includes codes for;

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the first guest operating system in the storage device; and

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the virtualization program in the storage device.

13. The computer-readable medium according to claim 11, wherein:

the information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program comprises information indicating an allocation rate of the resources to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the first virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the first virtual computer;

the program is executed by the first virtual computer on the first guest operating system; and

the third code further includes codes for;

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the first guest operating system in the storage device; and

storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the virtualization program in the storage device only when a load of the second virtual computer satisfies predetermined conditions.

14. The computer-readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the third code further includes a code for storing the information which the first virtual computer has obtained from the virtualization program in the storage device only when a load of the second virtual computer satisfies predetermined conditions upon judgment that a status where the load of the first virtual computer satisfies the predetermined conditions has continued for a predetermined period.

15. The computer-readable medium according to claim 11, wherein:

the information regarding the resources allocated to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer by the virtualization program comprises information indicating an allocation rate of the resources to the first virtual computer and the second virtual computer;

the information indicating the performance of the first virtual computer comprises information indicating a usage rate of the resources allocated to the first virtual computer;

the program is executed by the first virtual computer on the first guest operating system; and

the program further comprising;

a fifth code for detecting activation of the second virtual computer;

a sixth code for monitoring the allocation rate of the resources to the second virtual computer after the activation of the second virtual computer; and

a seventh code for transmitting a notification of an activation failure of the second guest operating system when the allocation rate of the resources to the second virtual computer satisfies predetermined conditions.