ADSM-L

Re: [ADSM-L] Lousy performance on new 6.2.1.1 server with SAN/FILEDEVCLASS storage

2010-10-20 16:15:13
Subject: Re: [ADSM-L] Lousy performance on new 6.2.1.1 server with SAN/FILEDEVCLASS storage
From: Remco Post <r.post AT PLCS DOT NL>
To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:13:44 +0200
Hi,

I guess (just guess) that the performance tuning guide has been updated to 
reflect the fact that we can no longer disable directio (in a supported manner) 
on jfs2 in recent TSM releases, but that the update could have been a bit more 
clearly. In the past, of course, the guide had to explain the effect of these 
settings with both 'directio yes' and 'directio no'.

anyway, you're absolutely right, make sure that you make optimal use of all 
performance features of your disk subsystem.

On 20 okt 2010, at 22:02, Paul Zarnowski wrote:

> Hmm...
> 
> I thought perhaps the Performance Tuning Guide would help clarify, which is 
> where I thought I read this.  But it seems somewhat ambiguous.  Here are some 
> snippets (for AIX):
> 
>> When AIX detects sequential file reading is occurring, it can read ahead even
>> though the application has not yet requested the data.
>> * Read ahead improves sequential read performance on JFS and JFS2 file 
>> systems.
>> * The recommended setting of maxpgahead is 256 for both JFS and JFS2:
>> ioo .p .o maxpgahead=256 .o j2_maxPageReadAhead=256
> 
> then later on the same page:
> 
>> Tivoli Storage Manager server - Improves storage pool migration throughput on
>> JFS volumes only (does not apply to JFS2 or raw logical volumes).
> 
> and still later:
> 
>> This does not improve read performance on raw logical volumes or JFS2
>> volumes on the Tivoli Storage Manager server. The server uses direct I/O on
>> JFS2 file systems.
> 
> So which is it?  Does it read ahead on jfs2 or not?  One vote for and 2 
> against.
> 
> On later on, there are a couple of related to using raw LV's which mentions 
> array-based read-ahead:
> 
>> Using raw logical volumes on UNIX systems can cut CPU consumption but
>> might be slower during storage pool migrations due to lack of read-ahead.
>> However, many disk subsystems have read-ahead built in, which negates this
>> concern.
> 
> Clear?  eh.  What I take away from this is if your array supports read-ahead, 
> make sure you've got it enabled - at least for storage pool LUNs.  Probably 
> doesn't make sense for DB LUNs, as it will just waste your precious cache.
> 
> ..Paul
> 
> .. thinking I might need to spend a few more nights at Holiday Inn Express ..
> 
> 
> At 03:43 PM 10/20/2010, Remco Post wrote:
>> Hmmm, that's interesting, jfs2 read-ahead. I know it exists, but recent TSM 
>> servers by default use direct I/O on jfs2, bypassing the buffer cache, and I 
>> assume the read-ahead as well... Or am I wrong?
>> 
>> I noticed that on an XIV, dd can read a TSM diskpool volume at say 100 MB/s, 
>> and yes two dd processes, reading two diskpool volumes get  about 185 MB/s, 
>> not exactly twice as much, but much more than one process. The same is true 
>> for TSM migrating to tape. So, even though you'd think that two processes 
>> would appear more random than one, the XIV is still able to handle them 
>> quite efficiently. Yes, this is two processes working on a single filesystem 
>> from a single host. Now, of course, dd doesn't use direct i/o, and TSM does, 
>> but still, there is a noticeable benefit to running two migrations in 
>> parallel, even if both are on the same lun, filesystem, etc. (Yes, on jfs2).
>> 
>> On 20 okt 2010, at 21:28, Paul Zarnowski wrote:
>> 
>>> yes, this can get complicated...  Yes, multiple threads accessing different 
>>> volumes on the same spindles can create head contention, even with volumes 
>>> formatted serially.  But I think you can still reap benefits from laying 
>>> down blocks sequentially on the filesystem.  Remco points out read-ahead 
>>> benefits, and he is (IMHO) referring to disk array-based read-ahead.  Keep 
>>> in mind that jfs[2] also has read-ahead, and it will still try to do this 
>>> regardless of whether the physical blocks are laid down sequentially - it 
>>> will just result in more head movement, more latency, and less efficiency.  
>>> I do not believe that jfs2 read-ahead uses array-based read-ahead.  The 
>>> array-based read-ahead will pre-stage blocks in array cache, whereas 
>>> jfs2-based read-ahead will pre-stage them in jfs mbufs.
>>> 
>>> When the array is doing read-ahead, it will turn a single-block read into a 
>>> multi-block read.  Since the blocks are laid down in sequence, there will 
>>> be (I think) less head contention during this array-based read-ahead.  Not 
>>> the case for jfs2 read-ahead.
>>> 
>>> not to get lost: preformatting volumes ahead of time and not letting them 
>>> get scratched and re-created on-demand will avoid filesystem fragmentation 
>>> and randomization of the blocks.  It's too bad that TSM can't manage 
>>> pre-formatted volumes as scratch volumes that can be shared between 
>>> different storage pools or even different servers (managed by the shared 
>>> library manager of course).
>>> 
>>> ..Paul (with Holiday Inn disclaimer)
>>> 
>>> 
>>> At 03:01 PM 10/20/2010, Richard Rhodes wrote:
>>>> This can get complicated.
>>>> 
>>>> File devices, as Paul states, are mostly accessed sequentially.
>>>> But, as has been also said,  the actual file volumes may be fragmented on
>>>> the filesystem, resulting is effective random access.
>>>> But, also, TSM may/probably will be accessing multiple file devices
>>>> concurrently. This can also result is effective random access.
>>>> But, also, also, if you are using a disk array you also need to take into
>>>> consideration the lun layout..  Most big disk arrays share spindles among
>>>> multiple servers (wide stripping).
>>>> 
>>>> Unless you have a a single tsm task accessing a single file device (that is
>>>> not fragmented) on a dedicated disk, then there will contention for I/O's.
>>>> 
>>>> Rick
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>           Paul Zarnowski
>>>>           <psz1 AT CORNELL DOT EDU
>>>>>                                                        To
>>>>           Sent by: "ADSM:           ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
>>>>           Dist Stor                                                  cc
>>>>           Manager"
>>>>           <[email protected]                                     Subject
>>>>           .EDU>                     Re: Lousy performance on new
>>>>                                     6.2.1.1 server with
>>>>                                     SAN/FILEDEVCLASS storage
>>>>           10/20/2010 02:19
>>>>           PM
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>           Please respond to
>>>>           "ADSM: Dist Stor
>>>>               Manager"
>>>>           <[email protected]
>>>>                 .EDU>
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> I/O to devclass file volumes will be inherently sequential, yes.  It's not
>>>> an absolute, however.  There are varying degrees of "sequentialness".
>>>> Think about it this way.  When you are writing these volumes, they will
>>>> definitely be purely sequential.  However, when reading them, they may or
>>>> may not be purely sequential.  If you are only restoring say "active"
>>>> backup files, then TSM would be skipping over the "inactive" files that can
>>>> be interspersed between the active files.  Yes, they may have been "active"
>>>> when they were written (depending on what did the writing - client or
>>>> migration), but by the time you go to read the data, depending on what is
>>>> doing the reading you may not be reading them purely sequentially.  Even if
>>>> you are not reading them purely sequentially, I believe you will still
>>>> likely reap benefits by having the blocks laid down on disk sequentially.
>>>> Note than when I say laid down on disk sequentially, this includes the idea
>>>> of striping the blocks across spindles (if you are doing striping).
>>>> Striping does not defeat the sequentiality.
>>>> 
>>>> ..Paul
>>>> 
>>>> At 02:11 PM 10/20/2010, Hart, Charles A wrote:
>>>>> Dumb statement, but isn't the whole Idea of the File Devclass is it is
>>>> sequential.  Can one be more sequential than the other?  If its not then
>>>> its random.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU] On 
>>>>> Behalf Of
>>>> Paul Zarnowski
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 1:07 PM
>>>>> To: ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
>>>>> Subject: Re: [ADSM-L] Lousy performance on new 6.2.1.1 server with
>>>> SAN/FILEDEVCLASS storage
>>>>> 
>>>>> How you connect to the disk storage (i.e., SCSI or SAN) doesn't matter.
>>>> This goes more to the issue of how blocks within the volumes are laid out
>>>> on the spindles.  formatting them one at a time will cause the blocks to be
>>>> laid out in a more sequential fashion, so that when TSM references the
>>>> blocks, they will be referenced in a more sequential fashion (assuming you
>>>> are doing mostly sequential I/O).
>>>>> 
>>>>> ..Paul
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> At 02:02 PM 10/20/2010, Zoltan Forray/AC/VCU wrote:
>>>>>> Thanks for the affirmation.  This is what I have been
>>>> seeing/experiencing.
>>>>>> As soon as I can empty the stgpool (5TB), I will define fixed volumes
>>>> and
>>>>>> see how much difference that makes.   I am aware of the issue of
>>>>>> single-threading the define/formats to not fragment them, however I
>>>>>> wonder how much that really matters in a SAN?
>>>>>> Zoltan Forray
>>>>>> TSM Software & Hardware Administrator
>>>>>> Virginia Commonwealth University
>>>>>> UCC/Office of Technology Services
>>>>>> zforray AT vcu DOT edu - 804-828-4807
>>>>>> Don't be a phishing victim - VCU and other reputable organizations will
>>>>>> never use email to request that you reply with your password, social
>>>>>> security number or confidential personal information. For more details
>>>>>> visit http://infosecurity.vcu.edu/phishing.html
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> From:
>>>>>> Markus Engelhard <markus.engelhard AT BUNDESBANK DOT DE>
>>>>>> To:
>>>>>> ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
>>>>>> Date:
>>>>>> 10/20/2010 09:20 AM
>>>>>> Subject:
>>>>>> [ADSM-L] Lousy performance on new 6.2.1.1 server with SAN/FILEDEVCLASS
>>>>>> storage Sent by:
>>>>>> "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager" <ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU>
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Hi Zoltan,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> my experience has been: use fixed size preformatted volumes, and be
>>>>>> sure to format them sequentially, even if it seems to take a hell of a
>>>>>> time. But then, it´s a one-time action and highly automated, so just
>>>>>> don´t try to boost "performance" here. Make sure no one else is bogging
>>>>>> perfs, SAN guys sometimes tend to put all kinds of unassorted loads on
>>>>>> one storage array producing massive hot-spots during TSM activities.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Kind regards,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Markus
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Diese E-Mail enthält vertrauliche und/oder rechtlich geschützte
>>>>>> Informationen. Wenn Sie nicht der richtige Adressat sind oder diese
>>>>>> E-Mail irrtümlich erhalten haben, informieren Sie bitte sofort den
>>>>>> Absender und vernichten Sie diese E-Mail. Das unerlaubte Kopieren sowie
>>>>>> die unbefugte Weitergabe dieser Mail oder von Teilen dieser Mail ist
>>>> nicht gestattet.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Wir haben alle verkehrsüblichen Maßnahmen unternommen, um das Risiko
>>>>>> der Verbreitung virenbefallener Software oder E-Mails zu minimieren,
>>>>>> dennoch raten wir Ihnen, Ihre eigenen Virenkontrollen auf alle Anhänge
>>>>>> an dieser Nachricht durchzuführen. Wir schließen außer für den Fall von
>>>>>> Vorsatz oder grober Fahrlässigkeit die Haftung für jeglichen Verlust
>>>>>> oder Schäden durch virenbefallene Software oder E-Mails aus.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Jede von der Bank versendete E-Mail ist sorgfältig erstellt worden,
>>>>>> dennoch schließen wir die rechtliche Verbindlichkeit aus; sie kann
>>>>>> nicht zu einer irgendwie gearteten Verpflichtung zu Lasten der Bank
>>>>>> ausgelegt werden.
>>>>>> ______________________________________________________________________
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If
>>>>>> you are not the intended recipient (or have received this e-mail in
>>>>>> error) please notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail.
>>>>>> Any unauthorised copying, disclosure or distribution of  the material
>>>>>> in this e-mail or of parts hereof is strictly forbidden.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> We have taken precautions to minimize the risk of transmitting software
>>>>>> viruses but nevertheless advise you to carry out your own virus checks
>>>>>> on any attachment of this message. We accept no liability for loss or
>>>>>> damage caused by software viruses except in case of gross negligence or
>>>>>> willful behaviour.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Any e-mail messages from the Bank are sent in good faith, but shall not
>>>>>> be binding or construed as constituting any kind of obligation on the
>>>>>> part of the Bank.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> --
>>>>> Paul Zarnowski                            Ph: 607-255-4757
>>>>> Manager, Storage Services                 Fx: 607-255-8521
>>>>> 719 Rhodes Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-3801    Em: psz1 AT cornell DOT edu
>>>>> 
>>>>> This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or
>>>>> proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity
>>>>> to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended
>>>>> recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified
>>>>> that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is
>>>>> prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the
>>>>> sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> --
>>>> Paul Zarnowski                            Ph: 607-255-4757
>>>> Manager, Storage Services                 Fx: 607-255-8521
>>>> 719 Rhodes Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-3801    Em: psz1 AT cornell DOT edu
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -----------------------------------------
>>>> The information contained in this message is intended only for the 
>>>> personal and confidential use of the recipient(s) named above. If the 
>>>> reader of this message is not the intended recipient or an agent 
>>>> responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby 
>>>> notified that you have received this document in error and that any 
>>>> review, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is 
>>>> strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, 
>>>> please notify us immediately, and delete the original message.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Paul Zarnowski                            Ph: 607-255-4757
>>> Manager, Storage Services                 Fx: 607-255-8521
>>> 719 Rhodes Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-3801    Em: psz1 AT cornell DOT edu
>> 
>> --
>> Met vriendelijke groeten/Kind Regards,
>> 
>> Remco Post
>> r.post AT plcs DOT nl
>> +31 6 248 21 622 
> 
> 
> --
> Paul Zarnowski                            Ph: 607-255-4757
> Manager, Storage Services                 Fx: 607-255-8521
> 719 Rhodes Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-3801    Em: psz1 AT cornell DOT edu  

-- 
Met vriendelijke groeten/Kind Regards,

Remco Post
r.post AT plcs DOT nl
+31 6 248 21 622

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>