Ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling

Ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling, including: receiving an I/O request associated with an entity; determining whether an amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is greater than an amount of available system resources in a storage system; responsive to determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system: queuing the I/O request in an entity-specific queue for the entity; detecting that additional system resources in the storage system have become available; and responsive to detecting that additional system resources in the storage system have become available, issuing an I/O request from an entity-specific queue for an entity that has a highest priority among entities with non-empty entity-specific queues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1sets forth a block diagram of a storage system configured for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2sets forth a block diagram of a storage array controller useful in ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3sets forth a block diagram of a storage system configured for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4sets forth a flow chart illustrating an example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Example methods, apparatuses, and products for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, beginning withFIG. 1.FIG. 1sets forth a block diagram of a storage system (100) configured for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The storage system (100) depicted inFIG. 1includes a plurality of storage arrays (102,104), although ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may be carried out in storage systems that include only a single storage array. Each storage array (102,104) may be embodied as a collection of computer hardware devices that provide persistent data storage to users of the storage system (100). Each storage array (102,104) may include a collection of data storage devices that are mounted within one or more chassis, racks, or other enclosure. Although not expressly depicted inFIG. 1, each storage array (102,104) may include a plurality of power supplies that deliver power to one or more components within the storage system (100) via a power bus, each storage array (102,104) may include a plurality of data communications networks that enables one or more components within the storage system (100) to communicates, each storage array (102,104) may include a plurality of cooling components that are used to cool one or more components within the storage system (100), and so on.

The example storage arrays (102,104) depicted inFIG. 1may provide persistent data storage for computing devices (164,166,168,170) that are coupled to the storage system (100) via one or more data communications networks. Each of the computing devices (164,166,168,170) depicted inFIG. 1may be embodied, for example, as a server, a workstation, a personal computer, a notebook, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or the like. The computing devices (164,166,168,170) in the example ofFIG. 1are coupled for data communications to the storage arrays (102,104) through a storage area network (‘SAN’) (158). The SAN (158) may be implemented with a variety of data communications fabrics, devices, and protocols. Example fabrics for such a SAN (158) may include Fibre Channel, Ethernet, Infiniband, Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (‘SAS’), and the like. Example data communications protocols for use in such a SAN (158) may include Advanced Technology Attachment (‘ATA’), Fibre Channel Protocol, SCSI, iSCSI, HyperSCSI, and others. Readers will appreciate that a SAN is just one among many possible data communications couplings which may be implemented between a computing device (164,166,168,170) and a storage array (102,104). For example, the storage devices (146,150) within the storage arrays (102,104) may also be coupled to the computing devices (164,166,168,170) as network attached storage (‘NAS’) capable of facilitating file-level access, or even using a SAN-NAS hybrid that offers both file-level protocols and block-level protocols from the same system. Any other such data communications coupling is well within the scope of embodiments of the present disclosure.

The computing devices (164,166,168,170) depicted inFIG. 1are also coupled for data communications to the storage arrays (102,104) through a local area network (160) (‘LAN’). The LAN (160) ofFIG. 1may also be implemented with a variety of fabrics and protocols. Examples of such fabrics include Ethernet (802.3), wireless (802.11), and the like. Examples of such data communications protocols include Transmission Control Protocol (‘TCP’), User Datagram Protocol (‘UDP’), Internet Protocol (‘IP’), HyperText Transfer Protocol (‘HTTP’), Wireless Access Protocol (‘WAP’), Handheld Device Transport Protocol (‘HDTP’), Real Time Protocol (‘RTP’) and others as will occur to those of skill in the art. The LAN (160) depicted inFIG. 1may be coupled to other computing devices not illustrated inFIG. 1, for example, via the Internet (172). Although only one storage array (104) is expressly depicted as being coupled to the computing devices (164,166,168,170) via the LAN (160), readers will appreciate that other storage arrays (102) in the storage system (100) may also be coupled to the computing devices (164,166,168,170) via the same LAN (160) or via a different LAN.

Each storage array (102,104) depicted inFIG. 1includes a plurality of storage array controllers (106,112,118,120). Each storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may be embodied as a module of automated computing machinery comprising computer hardware, computer software, or a combination of computer hardware and software. Each storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may be configured to carry out various storage-related tasks such as, for example, writing data received from the one or more of the computing devices (164,166,168,170) to storage, erasing data from storage, retrieving data from storage to provide the data to one or more of the computing devices (164,166,168,170), monitoring and reporting of disk utilization and performance, performing RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Drives) or RAID-like data redundancy operations, compressing data, encrypting data, and so on.

Each storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may be implemented in a variety of ways, including as a Field Programmable Gate Array (‘FPGA’), a Programmable Logic Chip (‘PLC’), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (‘ASIC’), or computing device that includes discrete components such as a central processing unit, computer memory, and various adapters. Each storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may include, for example, a data communications adapter configured to support communications via the SAN (158) and the LAN (160). Although only one of the storage array controllers (120) in the example ofFIG. 1is depicted as being coupled to the LAN (160) for data communications, readers will appreciate that each storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may be independently coupled to the LAN (160). Each storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may also include, for example, an I/O controller or the like that couples the storage array controller (106,112,118,120) for data communications, through a midplane (114,116), to a number of storage devices (146,150), and a number of write buffer devices (148,152) that are utilized as write caches.

In the example depicted inFIG. 1, the presence of multiple storage array controllers (106,112,118,120) in each storage array (102,104) can enable each storage array (102,104) to be highly available as there are independent, redundant storage array controllers (106,112,118,120) that are capable of servicing access requests (e.g., reads, writes) to the storage arrays (102,104). In some embodiments, each storage array controller (106,112,118,120) in a particular storage array (102,104) may appear to be active to the computing devices (164,166,168,170) as each storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may be available for receiving requests to access the storage array (102,104) from the computing devices (164,166,168,170) via the SAN (158) or LAN (160). Although storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may be available for receiving requests to access the storage array (102,104), however, in some embodiments only one storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may actively be allowed to direct access requests to the storage devices (146,150) or write buffer devices (148,152). For ease of explanation, a storage array controller that is allowed to direct access requests to the storage devices (146,150) or write buffer devices (148,152) may be referred to herein as an ‘active’ storage array controller whereas a storage array controller that is not allowed to direct access requests to the storage devices (146,150) or write buffer devices (148,152) may be referred to herein as a ‘passive’ storage array controller. Readers will appreciate that because a passive storage array controller may still receive requests to access the storage array (102,104) from the computing devices (164,166,168,170) via the SAN (158) or LAN (160), the passive storage array controller may be configured to forward any access requests received by the passive storage array controller to the active storage array controller.

Consider an example in which a first storage array controller (106) in a first storage array (102) is the active storage array controller that is allowed to direct access requests to the storage devices (146) or write buffer devices (148) within the first storage array (102), while a second storage array controller (118) in the first storage array (102) is the passive storage array controller that is not allowed to direct access requests to the storage devices (146) or write buffer devices (148) within the first storage array (102). In such an example, the second storage array controller (118) may continue to receive access requests from the computing devices (164,166,168,170) via the SAN (158) or LAN (160). Upon receiving access requests from the computing devices (164,166,168,170), the second storage array controller (118) may be configured to forward such access requests to the first storage array controller (106) via a communications link between the first storage array controller (106) and the second storage array controller (118). Readers will appreciate that such an embodiment may reduce the amount of coordination that must occur between the first storage array controller (106) and the second storage array controller (118) relative to an embodiment where both storage array controllers (106,118) are allowed to simultaneously modify the contents of the storage devices (146) or write buffer devices (148).

Although the example described above refers to an embodiment where the first storage array controller (106) is the active storage array controller while the second storage array controller (118) is the passive storage array controller, over time such designations may switch back and forth. For example, an expected or unexpected event may occur that results in a situation where the first storage array controller (106) is the passive storage array controller while the second storage array controller (118) is the active storage array controller. An example of an unexpected event that could cause a change in the roles of each storage array controller (106,118) is the occurrence of a failure or error condition with the first storage array controller (106) that causes the storage array (102) to fail over to the second storage array controller (118). An example of an expected event that could cause a change in the roles of each storage array controller (106,118) is the expiration of a predetermined period of time, as the first storage array controller (106) may be responsible for interacting with the storage devices (146) and the write buffer devices (148) during a first time period while the second storage array controller (118) may be responsible for interacting with the storage devices (146) and the write buffer devices (148) during a second time period. Readers will appreciate that although the preceding paragraphs describe active and passive storage array controllers with reference to the first storage array (102), the storage array controllers (112,120) that are part of other storage arrays (104) in the storage system (100) may operate in a similar manner.

Each storage array (102,104) depicted inFIG. 1includes one or more write buffer devices (148,152). Each write buffer device (148,152) may be configured to receive, from the one of the storage array controller (106,112,118,120), data to be stored in one or more of the storage devices (146,150). In the example ofFIG. 1, writing data to the write buffer device (148,152) may be carried out more quickly than writing data to the storage device (146,150). The storage array controllers (106,112,118,120) may therefore be configured to effectively utilize the write buffer devices (148,152) as a quickly accessible buffer for data destined to be written to one or the storage devices (146,150). By utilizing the write buffer devices (148,152) in such a way, the write latency experienced by users of the storage system (100) may be significantly improved relative to storage systems that do not include such write buffer devices (148,152). The write latency experienced by users of the storage system (100) may be significantly improved relative to storage systems that do not include such write buffer devices (148,152) because the storage array controllers (106,112,118,120) may send an acknowledgment to the user of the storage system (100) indicating that a write request has been serviced once the data associated with the write request has been written to one or the write buffer devices (148,152), even if the data associated with the write request has not yet been written to any of the storage devices (146,150).

The presence of the write buffer devices (148,152) may also improve the utilization of the storage devices (146,150) as a storage array controller (106,112,118,120) can accumulate more writes and organize writing to the storage devices (146,150) for greater efficiency. Greater efficiency can be achieved, for example, as the storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may have more time to perform deeper compression of the data, the storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may be able to organize the data into write blocks that are in better alignment with the underlying physical storage on the storage devices (146,150), the storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may be able to perform deduplication operations on the data, and so on. Such write buffer devices (148,152) effectively convert storage arrays of solid-state drives (e.g., “Flash drives”) from latency limited devices to throughput limited devices. In such a way, the storage array controller (106,112,118,120) may be given more time to better organize what is written to the storage devices (146,150), but after doing so, are not then mechanically limited like disk-based arrays are.

Each storage array (102,104) depicted inFIG. 1includes one or more storage devices (146,150). A ‘storage device’ as the term is used in this specification refers to any device configured to record data persistently. The term ‘persistently’ as used here refers to a device's ability to maintain recorded data after loss of a power source. Examples of storage devices may include mechanical, spinning hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and the like.

The storage array controllers (106,112) ofFIG. 1may be useful in ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The storage array controllers (106,112) may assist in ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling by: receiving an I/O request associated with an entity; determining whether an amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is greater than an amount of available system resources in a storage system; responsive to determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system: queuing the I/O request in an entity-specific queue for the entity; detecting that additional system resources in the storage system have become available; and responsive to detecting that additional system resources in the storage system have become available, issuing an I/O request from an entity-specific queue for an entity that has a highest priority among entities with non-empty entity-specific queues, wherein a priority for each entity that utilizes the storage system is determined based on the amount of I/O requests associated with the entity in a time-independent period; determining a priority for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue; determining an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel; establishing, in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, the time-independent period; determining an amount of I/O requests processed for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue during the time-independent period; assigning priorities to each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests processed for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue during the time-independent period; determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel while adhering to a response time requirement; determining, in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, a fair share of system resources for each entity; assigning priorities to each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue in dependence upon the amount I/O requests processed for each entity during the time-independent period in excess of the fair share of system resources for each entity; determining, in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, a fair share of system resources for each entity; tracking, for each entity, the amount I/O requests processed for each entity during the time-independent period; crediting each entity with the fair share of system resources for each entity upon the expiration of the time-independent period; determining the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request; determining the amount of available system resources in the storage system; responsive to determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is not greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system, issuing the I/O request to the storage system; responsive to issuing the I/O request, debiting a fair share of system resources allocated to the particular entity, and performing other functions as will be described in greater detail below.

The arrangement of computing devices, storage arrays, networks, and other devices making up the example system illustrated inFIG. 1are for explanation, not for limitation. Systems useful according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include different configurations of servers, routers, switches, computing devices, and network architectures, not shown inFIG. 1, as will occur to those of skill in the art.

Ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is generally implemented with computers. In the system ofFIG. 1, for example, all the computing devices (164,166,168,170) and storage controllers (106,112,118,120) may be implemented to some extent at least as computers. For further explanation, therefore,FIG. 2sets forth a block diagram of a storage array controller (202) useful in ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The storage array controllers (202,206) depicted inFIG. 2may be similar to the storage array controllers depicted inFIG. 1, as the storage array controllers (202,206) ofFIG. 2may be communicatively coupled, via a midplane (210), to one or more storage devices (216) and to one or more write buffer devices (218) that are included as part of a storage array (220). The storage array controllers (202,206) may be coupled to the midplane (210) via one or more data communications links (204,208) and the midplane (206) may be coupled to the storage devices (216) and the memory buffer devices (218) via one or more data communications links (212,214). The data communications links (204,208,212,214) ofFIG. 2may be embodied, for example, as a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (‘PCIe’) bus, as a Serial Attached SCSI (‘SAS’) data communications link, and so on. Although only one of the storage array controllers (202) is depicted in detail, readers will appreciate that other storage array controllers (206) may include similar components. For ease of explanation, however, the detailed view of one of the storage array controllers (202) will be described below.

The storage array controller (202) detailed inFIG. 2can include at least one computer processor (240) or ‘CPU’ as well as random access memory (‘RAM’) (244). The computer processor (240) may be connected to the RAM (244) via a data communications link (238), which may be embodied as a high speed memory bus such as a Double-Data Rate 4 (‘DDR4’) bus. Although the storage array controller (202) detailed inFIG. 2includes only a single computer processor, however, readers will appreciate that storage array controllers useful in ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include additional computer processors. Likewise, although the storage array controller (202) detailed inFIG. 2includes only a RAM (244), readers will appreciate that storage array controllers useful in ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include additional forms of computer memory such as flash memory.

The storage array controller (202) detailed inFIG. 2includes an operating system (246) that is stored in RAM (246). Examples of operating systems useful in storage array controllers (202,206) configured for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure include UNIX™, Linux™, Microsoft Windows™, and others as will occur to those of skill in the art. The operating system (246) depicted inFIG. 2may be embodied, for example, as system software that manages computer hardware and software resources on the storage array controller (202).

The storage array controller (202) detailed inFIG. 2also includes an array operating environment (252) that is stored in RAM (252). The array operating environment (252) may be embodied as one or more modules of computer program instructions used to enable the storage array controller (202) to service access requests that are directed to the storage array (220). The array operating environment (252) may be responsible for generating I/O requests (e.g., read requests, write requests) that are sent to the storage devices (216) or the write buffer devices (218). The array operating environment (252) may be further configured to perform various functions that result in more efficient utilization of the resources within the storage array (220). The array operating environment (252) may be configured, for example, to compress data prior to writing the data to one of the storage devices (216), to perform data deduplication operations, to pool data that is to be written to one of the storage devices (216) so that data may be written in blocks of a predetermined size, and so on.

The storage array controller (202) detailed inFIG. 2also includes a scheduling module (256), a module that includes computer program instructions useful in ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The scheduling module (256) may be in ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure by: receiving an I/O request associated with an entity; determining whether an amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is greater than an amount of available system resources in a storage system; responsive to determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system: queuing the I/O request in an entity-specific queue for the entity; detecting that additional system resources in the storage system have become available; and responsive to detecting that additional system resources in the storage system have become available, issuing an I/O request from an entity-specific queue for an entity that has a highest priority among entities with non-empty entity-specific queues, wherein a priority for each entity that utilizes the storage system is determined based on the amount of I/O requests associated with the entity in a time-independent period; determining a priority for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue; determining an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel; establishing, in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, the time-independent period; determining an amount of I/O requests processed for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue during the time-independent period; assigning priorities to each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests processed for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue during the time-independent period; determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel while adhering to a response time requirement; determining, in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, a fair share of system resources for each entity; assigning priorities to each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue in dependence upon the amount I/O requests processed for each entity during the time-independent period in excess of the fair share of system resources for each entity; determining, in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, a fair share of system resources for each entity; tracking, for each entity, the amount I/O requests processed for each entity during the time-independent period; crediting each entity with the fair share of system resources for each entity upon the expiration of the time-independent period; determining the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request; determining the amount of available system resources in the storage system; responsive to determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is not greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system, issuing the I/O request to the storage system; responsive to issuing the I/O request, debiting a fair share of system resources allocated to the particular entity, and performing other functions as will be described in greater detail below.

The storage array controller (202) detailed inFIG. 2also includes a plurality of host bus adapters (222,224,250) that are coupled to the computer processor (240) via a data communications link (230,232,258). Each host bus adapter (222,224,250) may be embodied as a module of computer hardware that connects the host system (i.e., the storage array controller) to other network and storage devices. Each of the host bus adapters (222,224,250) ofFIG. 2may be embodied, for example, as a Fibre Channel adapter that enables the storage array controller (202) to connect to a SAN, as a Target Channel Adapter, as a SCSI/Storage Target Adapter, and so on. The storage array controller (202) depicted inFIG. 2also includes a plurality of Ethernet adapters (226,228) that enables the storage array controller (202) to connect to a LAN or other data communications network. Each of the host bus adapters (222,224,250) and the Ethernet adapters (226,228) may be coupled to the computer processor (240) via a data communications link (230,232,234,236,258) such as, for example, a PCIe bus.

The storage array controller (202) detailed inFIG. 2also includes a switch (254) that is coupled to the computer processor (240) via a data communications link (248). The switch (254) ofFIG. 2may be embodied as a computer hardware device that can create multiple endpoints out of a single endpoint, thereby enabling multiple devices to share what was initially a single endpoint. The switch (254) ofFIG. 2may be embodied, for example, as a PCIe switch that is coupled to a PCIe bus and presents multiple PCIe connection points to the midplane (210).

The storage array controller (202) ofFIG. 2may also include a data communications link (242) for coupling the storage array controller (202) to other storage array controllers (206). Such a data communications link (242) may be embodied, for example, as a QuickPath Interconnect (‘QPI’) interconnect, as PCIe non-transparent bridge (‘NTB’) interconnect, and so on. Readers will recognize that these components, protocols, adapters, and architectures are for illustration only, not limitation. Such a storage array controller may be implemented in a variety of different ways, each of which is well within the scope of the present disclosure.

For further explanation,FIG. 3sets forth a block diagram illustrating a write buffer device (312) useful in ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The write buffer device (312) depicted inFIG. 3is similar to the write buffer devices depicted inFIG. 1andFIG. 2. The write buffer device (312) may be included in a storage array (302) that includes a plurality of storage array controllers (304,306) that are communicatively coupled to a plurality of storage devices (310) and also communicatively coupled to a plurality of write buffer devices (312) via a midplane (308).

The write buffer device (312) depicted inFIG. 3includes two data communications ports (314,316). The data communications ports (314,316) ofFIG. 3may be embodied, for example, as computer hardware for communicatively coupling the write buffer device (312) to a storage array controller (304,306) via the midplane (308). For example, the write buffer device (312) may be communicatively coupled to the first storage array controller (304) via a first data communications port (314) and the write buffer device (312) may also be communicatively coupled to the second storage array controller (306) via a second data communications port (316). Although the write buffer device (312) depicted inFIG. 3includes two data communications ports (314,316), readers will appreciate that write buffer devices useful for buffering data to be written to an array of non-volatile storage devices may include only one data communications port or, alternatively, additional data communications ports not depicted inFIG. 3.

The write buffer device (312) depicted inFIG. 3also includes a controller (320). The controller (320) depicted inFIG. 3may be embodied, for example, as computer hardware for receiving memory access requests (e.g., a request to write data to memory in the write buffer device) via the data communications ports (314,316) and servicing such memory access requests. The controller (320) depicted inFIG. 3may be embodied, for example, as an ASIC, as a microcontroller, and so on. The controller (320) depicted inFIG. 3may be communicatively coupled the data communications ports (314,316), for example, via a PCIe data communications bus.

The write buffer device (312) depicted inFIG. 3also includes a plurality of DRAM memory modules, embodied inFIG. 3as DRAM dual in-line memory modules (‘DIMMs’) (338). The DRAM DIMMs (338) depicted inFIG. 3may be coupled to the controller (320) via a memory bus such as a DDR (318) memory bus such that the controller (320) can be configured to write data to the DRAM DIMMs (338) via the DDR (318) memory bus.

The write buffer device (312) depicted inFIG. 3also includes a primary power source (326). The primary power source (326) may be embodied as computer hardware for providing electrical power to the computing components that are within the write buffer device (312). The primary power source (326) may be embodied, for example, as a switched-mode power supply that supplies electric energy to an electrical load by converting alternating current (‘AC’) power from a mains supply to a direct current (‘DC’) power, as a DC-to-DC converter that converts a source of direct current (DC) from one voltage level to another, and so on. The primary power source (326) ofFIG. 3is coupled to the controller (320) via a power line (322) that the primary power source (326) can use to deliver power to the controller (320). The primary power source (326) ofFIG. 3is also coupled to the DRAM DIMMs (338) via a power line (330) that the primary power source (326) can use to deliver power to the DRAM DIMMs (338). The primary power source (326) ofFIG. 3is also coupled to a power source controller (340) via a power line (332) that the primary power source (326) can use to deliver power to the power source controller (340). The primary power source (326) can monitor which components are receiving power through the use of one or more control lines (324), serial presence detect (‘SPD’) lines (328), or other mechanism for detecting the presence of a device and detecting that power is being provided to the device. Readers will appreciate that write devices useful for buffering data to be written to an array of non-volatile storage devices may include additional computing components not depicted inFIG. 3, each of which may also receive power from the primary power source (326).

The write buffer device (312) depicted inFIG. 3also includes a backup power source (344). The backup power source (344) depicted inFIG. 3represents a power source capable of providing power to the DRAM DIMMs (338) in the event that the primary power source (326) fails. In such a way, the DRAM DIMMs (338) may effectively serve as non-volatile memory, as a failure of the primary power source (326) will not cause the contents of the DRAM DIMMs (338) to be lost because the DRAM DIMMs (338) will continue to receive power from the backup power source (344). Such a backup power source (344) may be embodied, for example, as a supercapacitor.

The write buffer device (312) depicted inFIG. 3also includes a power source controller (340). The power source controller (340) depicted inFIG. 3may be embodied as a module of computer hardware configured to identify a failure of the primary power source (326) and to cause power to be delivered to the DRAM DIMMs (338) from the backup power source (344). In such an example, power may be delivered to the DRAM DIMMs (338) from the backup power source (344) via a first power line (342) between the power source controller (340) and the backup power source (344), as well as a second power line (334) between the backup power source controller (340) and the DRAM DIMMs (338). The backup power source controller (340) depicted inFIG. 3may be embodied, for example, as an analog circuit, an ASIC, a microcontroller, and so on. The power source controller (340) can monitor whether the DRAM DIMMs (338) have power through the use of one or more control lines (336) that may be coupled to the DRAM DIMMs (338), as well as one or more control lines that may be coupled to the primary power source (326). In such an example, by exchanging signals between the DRAM DIMMs (338), the primary power source (326), and the power source controller (340), the power source controller (340) may identify whether power is being provided to the DRAM DIMMs (338) by the primary power source (326).

In the example depicted inFIG. 3, the controller (320) may be configured to receive, from a storage array controller (304,306) via the one or more data communications ports (314,316), an instruction to write data to the one or more DRAM DIMMs (338). Such an instruction may include, for example, the location at which to write the data, the data to be written to the DRAM DIMMs (338), the identity of the host that issued the instruction, the identity of a user associated with the instruction, or any other information needed to service the instruction. In the example depicted inFIG. 3, the NVRAM controller (320) may be further configured to write the data to the one or more DRAM DIMMs (338) in response to receiving such an instruction.

In the example depicted inFIG. 3, the controller (320) may be further configured to send an acknowledgment indicating that the data has been written to the array (302) of non-volatile storage devices in response to writing the data to the one or more DRAM DIMMs (338). The controller (320) may send the acknowledgment indicating that the data has been written to the array (302) of non-volatile storage devices in response to writing the data to the DRAM DIMMs (338) in the write buffer device (312). Readers will appreciate that although some forms of DRAM DIMMs (338) are considered to be volatile memory, because the DRAM DIMMs (338) are backed by redundant power sources (326,344), writing the data to the DRAM DIMMs (338) in the write buffer device (312) may be treated the same as writing the data to traditional forms of non-volatile memory such as the storage devices (310). Furthermore, the DRAM DIMMs (338) in the write buffer device (312) can include one or more NVDIMMs. As such, once the data has been written to the DRAM DIMMs (338) in the write buffer device (312), an acknowledgement may be sent indicating that the data has been safely and persistently written to the array (302) of non-volatile storage devices.

In the example depicted inFIG. 3, the controller (320) may be further configured to determine whether the primary power source (326) has failed. The controller (320) may determine whether the primary power source (326) has failed, for example, by receiving a signal over the control line (324) indicating that the primary power source (326) has failed or is failing, by detecting a lack of power from the primary power source (326), and so on. In such an example, the controller (320) may be coupled to the backup power source (344) or may have access to another source of power such that the controller (320) can remain operational if the primary power source (326) does fail.

In the example depicted inFIG. 3, the controller (320) may be further configured to initiate a transfer of data contained in the one or more DRAM DIMMs (338) to flash memory in the write buffer device (312) in response to determining that the primary power source (326) has failed. The controller (320) may initiate a transfer of data contained in the one or more DRAM DIMMs (338) to flash memory in the write buffer device (312), for example, by signaling an NVDIMM to write the data contained in the one or more DRAM DIMMs (338) to flash memory on the NVDIMM.

Although the preceding paragraphs describe storage systems and many of the hardware components and software components contained therein, readers will appreciate that ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling may be carried out in other types of storage systems that include different hardware components and different software components. In fact, ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling may be carried out in in any storage system that includes any form of limited resources, whether the limited resources are in the form of computing resources, storage resources, network bandwidth resources, other resources, or any combination thereof. For example, ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling may be carried out in a storage system that includes a plurality of blades, where each blade can include processing resources such as one or more computer processors, storage resources such as one or more storage devices, or any combination thereof.

For further explanation,FIG. 4sets forth a flow chart illustrating an example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method depicted inFIG. 4may be carried out, for example, by a scheduling module as described above with reference toFIG. 2. The scheduling module may be executing on computer hardware within a storage system (404) that, although depicted in less detail inFIG. 4, may be similar to the storage systems described above with reference toFIGS. 1-3as the storage system (404) can include storage devices (422,424,426) as well as many of the other components described in the previous figures.

The example method depicted inFIG. 4includes receiving (406) an I/O request (402) associated with an entity. The I/O request (402) may be received (406), for example, via a SAN that connects users of the storage system (404) to the storage system (404). In such an example, the I/O request (406) may be associated with a particular entity such as, for example, a particular user of the storage system (404), a particular user-visible entity such as a volume that is supported by the storage system (404), a particular system-visible entity such as a medium that is supported by the storage system (404), or any other entity that may be associated with an I/O request (402). The I/O request (402) that is received (406) may be embodied, for example, as a request to write data to the storage system (404), as a request to read data from the storage system (404), or as another type of I/O request.

The example method depicted inFIG. 4also includes determining (408) whether an amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than an amount of available system resources in the storage system (404). The amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) may be expressed, for example, in terms of the amount of processing resources required to service the I/O request (402), in terms of the amount of storage capacity required to service the I/O request (402), in terms of the amount of network bandwidth required to service the I/O request (402), or in other quantifiable terms. Readers will appreciate that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) may also be expressed in terms such as a unit of I/O requests that is established by a system administrator, established by a scheduling module as described above with reference toFIG. 2, or established by some other entity. A unit of I/O requests may be used in a debit/credit system that will be described in greater detail below and may be representative of the cumulative amount of system resources of many types (e.g., processing, network, storage) that are generally consumed when servicing different types of I/O requests. Consider an example in which the following table represents the amount of system resources required to service different types of I/O requests:

In the resource consumption table included above, the amount of resources required to service various types of I/O requests are expressed units of I/O requests. The particular value associated with each type of I/O request may be determined, for example, by determining the number of I/O requests of each type that may be executed in parallel by the storage system (404) while meeting a predetermined performance threshold. For example, if all I/O requests should be serviced within a response time of 100 ms, through the use of testing operations it may be determined that the storage system (404) can execute ten times the number of read operations of 64 KB or less in parallel than the storage system (404) can execute write operations over 64 KB in size in parallel. As such, a write operation of over 64 KB in size required ten times more I/O requests to be performed than a read operation of 64 KB or less in terms of the amount of system resources required to service each type of I/O request.

Readers will appreciate that in the example method depicted inFIG. 4, the storage system (404) may not be able to service an unlimited number of I/O requests in parallel, especially while meeting the predetermined performance threshold. Through testing or observation of the actual operation of the storage system (404) it may be determined, for example, that the storage system (404) can execute 1000 read operations of 64 KB or less in parallel while meeting the predetermined performance threshold. Likewise, it may be determined that the storage system (404) can execute100write operations of over 64 KB in size in parallel while meeting the predetermined performance threshold. In such an example, using the resource consumption table included above, the storage system (404) would be able to execute 1000 units of I/O requests in parallel while meeting the predetermined performance threshold.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 4, the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) may represent the portion of total system capacity that is not currently in use. Continuing with the example described above in which the storage system (404) would be able to execute 1000 units of I/O requests in parallel while meeting the predetermined performance threshold, assume that the storage system (404) is currently executing100read operations of 64 KB or less, 100 read operations of over 64 KB in size, 100 write operations of 64 KB or less, and 15 write operations of over 64 KB in size. Using the resource consumption table included above, the 100 read operations of 64 KB or less would consume 100 units of I/O requests, the 100 read operations of over 64 KB in size would consume 200 units of I/O requests, the 100 write operations of 64 KB or less would consume 500 units of I/O requests, and the 15 write operations of over 64 KB in size would consume 150 units of I/O requests. As such, the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) would be 50 units of I/O requests, as 950 units of I/O requests are currently being consumed by the I/O requests currently executing on the storage system (404).

In the example method depicted inFIG. 4, determining (408) whether an amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than an amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) may be carried out, for example, by determining amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) from a resource such as the resource consumption table included above and comparing the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) to the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404). In such an example, in response to determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is not (416) greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system, the I/O request (402) may be issued (420) to the storage system (404) for immediate processing by the storage system (404). Readers will appreciate that all I/O requests (402) that are received may be issued (420) to the storage system (404) for immediate processing by the storage system (404) so long as the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is not (416) greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system.

The example method depicted inFIG. 4also includes, responsive to affirmatively (410) determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404), queuing (412) the I/O request (402) in an entity-specific queue for the entity that is associated with the I/O request (402). Readers will appreciate that issuing the I/O request (402) to the storage system (404) when the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) may cause overall system performance to degrade, and as such, the I/O request (402) should be queued until sufficient system resources are available to service the I/O request (402). In the example method depicted inFIG. 4, the I/O request (402) may be queued (412) in an entity-specific queue for the entity that is associated with the I/O request (402). Readers will appreciate that the storage system (404) may maintain an entity-specific queue for each entity that may be associated with I/O requests that are serviced by the storage system (404).

Consider an example in which the storage system (404) services I/O requests that are directed to one or ten volumes supported by the storage system (404). In such an example, the storage system (404) may maintain ten entity-specific queues, where a first entity-specific queue is used to store I/O requests directed to a first volume, a second entity-specific queue is used to store I/O requests directed to a second volume, a third entity-specific queue is used to store I/O requests directed to a third volume, and so on. In such an example, when an I/O request (402) is received that is associated with a particular entity, if the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404), the I/O request (402) will be queued (412) in the entity-specific queue for the entity that is associated with the I/O request (402).

The example method depicted inFIG. 4also includes detecting (414) that additional system resources in the storage system (404) have become available. Detecting (414) that additional system resources in the storage system (404) have become available may be carried out, for example, by detecting that the storage system (404) has completed the execution of one or more I/O requests. In such an example, the amount of system resources within the storage system (404) that have become available may be a function of the type and number of I/O requests whose execution has completed.

Consider the example described above in which the storage system (404) is able to execute 1000 units of I/O requests in parallel while meeting the predetermined performance threshold. In such an example, assume that 100 read operations of 64 KB or less, 100 read operations of over 64 KB in size, 100 write operations of 64 KB or less, and 15 write operations of over 64 KB in size are issued for execution by the storage system (404). In such an example, using the resource consumption table included above, the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) would be 50 units of I/O requests. Further assume that execution of the 100 read operations of 64 KB or less subsequently completes, thereby indicating that additional system resources in the storage system (404) have become available. In such an example, using the resource consumption table included above, the amount of additional system resources in the storage system (404) that have become available would be 100 units of I/O requests. Readers will appreciate that the storage system (404) may track the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) by initially setting the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) to a value that represents the entire I/O processing capacity of the storage system (404), debiting the value by the cost associated with an I/O request each time that an I/O request is issued to the storage system (404), and crediting the value by the cost associated with an I/O request each time that execution of a previously issued I/O request is completed.

The example method depicted inFIG. 4also includes, responsive to detecting that additional system resources in the storage system (404) have become available, issuing (418) an I/O request from an entity-specific queue for an entity that has a highest priority among entities with non-empty entity-specific queues. Readers will appreciate that while the storage system (404) may maintain an entity-specific queue for each entity that is associated with I/O requests that are serviced by the storage system (404), some entity-specific queues may be empty as no I/O requests associated with a particular entity may be stored in the entity-specific queue that is associated with the particular entity. For those entities that have non-empty entity-specific queues, however, an I/O request may be issued (418) for servicing by the storage system (404) from the entity-specific queue for the entity that has a highest priority among entities with non-empty entity-specific queues in response to detecting that additional system resources in the storage system (404) have become available. Readers will appreciate that an I/O request may only be issued (418) for servicing by the storage system (404) from the entity-specific queue for the entity that has a highest priority among entities with non-empty entity-specific queues, however, if the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) is equal to or greater than the amount of system resources required to service such an I/O request.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 4, a priority for each entity that utilizes the storage system (404) is determined based on the amount of I/O requests issued by the entity in a time-independent period. The time-independent period may be embodied, for example, as one or more ‘generations’ of I/O requests, where each generation of I/O requests may be equal to the amount of I/O requests that the storage system (404) may execute in parallel while meeting a predetermined performance threshold. Consider the example described above in which the storage system (404) can execute 1000 units of I/O requests in parallel while meeting the predetermined performance threshold. In such an example, a first generation of I/O requests may be defined as the first 1000 units of I/O requests executed by the storage system (404), a second generation of I/O requests may be defined as the second 1000 units of I/O requests executed by the storage system (404), and so on. Readers will appreciate that one or more generations of I/O requests is a time-independent period, as a generation of I/O requests may only cover a small period of time when the storage system (404) is receiving a relatively large number of I/O requests while another generation of I/O requests may cover a much larger period of time when the storage system (404) is receiving a relatively small number of I/O requests. Stated differently, different generations of I/O requests may span different lengths of time, thereby causing each period to be time-independent as two periods may cover different lengths of time. For example, a first generation of I/O requests may capture I/O requests issued in a 1 second time period while a second generation of I/O requests may capture I/O requests issued over a 100 ms time period.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 4, determining a priority for each entity that utilizes the storage system (404) based on the amount of I/O requests associated with the entity in a time-independent period may be carried out, for example, by assigning a highest priority to the entity that had the smallest amount of I/O requests associated with the entity during the time-independent period, by assigning a second highest priority to the entity that had the second smallest amount of I/O requests associated with the entity during the time-independent period, by assigning a third highest priority to the entity that had the third smallest amount of I/O requests associated with the entity during the time-independent period, and so on. In an alternative embodiment, only a predetermined number of priorities may exist and be assigned to each entity based on the amount of I/O requests associated with the entity in a time-independent period. For example, a lowest priority may be assigned to all entities that issued more than their fair share of I/O requests during the time-independent period and a highest priority may be assigned to all entities that did not issue more than their fair share of I/O requests during the time-independent period. Readers will appreciate that in embodiments where multiple entities share the same priority, issuing (418) an I/O request from an entity-specific queue for an entity that has a highest priority among entities with non-empty entity-specific queues may be carried out, for example, by issuing (418) I/O requests from an entity-specific queue for each of the entities that have a highest priority in a round robin fashion or in some other fashion.

Consider the example described above in which the storage system (404) can execute 1000 units of I/O requests in parallel while meeting the predetermined performance threshold. In such an example, assume that the time-independent period is defined including the most recent two generations of I/O requests serviced by the storage system (404), such that the time-independent period includes the most recent 2000 units of I/O requests performed by the storage system (404). In this example, further assume that the storage system (404) services I/O requests directed to three distinct volumes (volume 1, volume 2, and volume 3), where in the most recent two generations of I/O requests serviced by the storage system (404), 1200 units of I/O requests was directed to volume 1, 650 units of I/O requests was directed to volume 2, and 150 units of I/O requests was directed to volume 3. In such an example, a highest priority may be assigned to volume 3, a second highest priority may be assigned to volume 2, and a lowest priority may be assigned to volume 1. Readers will appreciate that by assigning priorities in such a way, the entity that is most responsible for the storage system (404) being in a state where the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) will suffer the longest delays in processing its queued I/O requests as queued I/O requests for the other entities will be issued for processing by the storage system (404) first.

For further explanation,FIG. 5sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method depicted inFIG. 5is similar to the example method depicted inFIG. 4, as the example method depicted inFIG. 5also includes receiving (406) an I/O request (402) associated with an entity, determining (408) whether an amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than an amount of available system resources in the storage system (404), issuing (420) the I/O request (402) to the storage system (404) in response to determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is not (416) greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404), and in response to affirmatively (410) determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404): queuing (412) the I/O request (402) in an entity-specific queue for the entity that is associated with the I/O request (402), detecting (414) that additional system resources in the storage system (404) have become available, and issuing (418) an I/O request from an entity-specific queue for an entity that has a highest priority among entities with non-empty entity-specific queues in response to detecting that additional system resources in the storage system (404) have become available.

The example method depicted inFIG. 5also includes determining (502) a priority for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue. In the example method depicted inFIG. 5, determining (502) a priority for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue may be carried out, for example, by assigning a highest priority to the entity that had the smallest amount of I/O requests associated with the entity during the time-independent period, by assigning a second highest priority to the entity that had the second smallest amount of I/O requests associated with the entity during the time-independent period, by assigning a third highest priority to the entity that had the third smallest amount of I/O requests associated with the entity during the time-independent period, and so on. In an alternative embodiment, only a predetermined number of priorities may exist and be assigned to each entity based on the amount of I/O requests associated with the entity in a time-independent period. For example, a lowest priority may be assigned to all entities that issued more than their fair share of I/O requests during the time-independent period and a highest priority may be assigned to all entities that did not issue more than their fair share of I/O requests during the time-independent period.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 5, determining (502) a priority for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue can include determining (504) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel. Determining (504) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel may be carried out, for example, through the use of one or more test suites that issue I/O requests to the storage system (404). Alternatively, determining (504) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel may be carried out by monitoring actual system performance during operation of the storage system (404) and identifying workload levels that cause system performance to degrade, as such a degradation in system performance may be indicative that system capacity has been fully utilized. In such an example, monitoring actual system performance during operation of the storage system (404) may be carried out indefinitely as amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel may change over time in response to components within the storage system (404) aging, in response to the storage system (404) storing more data, and for a variety of other reasons.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 5, determining (504) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel can include determining (506) the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel while adhering to a response time requirement. Such a response time requirement may specify the maximum permissible amount of time that may lapse between the time that an I/O request is issued to the storage system (404) and the time that the storage system (404) indicates that the I/O request has been serviced. Readers will appreciate that in other embodiments, other or additional performance criteria may be taken into consideration as determining (504) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel can potentially include determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel while adhering to a read latency requirement, determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel while adhering to a write latency requirement, determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel while adhering to an IOPS requirement, or determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel while adhering to other requirements. In such an example, one or more of such performance criteria may be taken into consideration when determining (504) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 5, determining (502) a priority for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue can also include establishing (508), in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel, the time-independent period. Establishing (508), in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel, the time-independent period may be carried out by establishing a time-independent period that includes one or more generations of I/O requests. In such an example, each generation of I/O requests may be equal to the amount of I/O requests that the storage system (404) may process in parallel. Consider the example described above in which the storage system (404) can execute 1000 units of I/O requests in parallel while meeting a predetermined performance threshold. In such an example, a first generation of I/O requests may be defined as the first 1000 units of I/O requests executed by the storage system (404), a second generation of I/O requests may be defined as the second 1000 units of I/O requests executed by the storage system (404), and so on. Readers will appreciate that one or more generations of I/O requests is a time-independent period, as a generation of I/O requests may only cover a small period of time when the storage system (404) is receiving a relatively large number of I/O requests while another generation of I/O requests may cover a much larger period of time when the storage system (404) is receiving a relatively small number of I/O requests. In the example method depicted inFIG. 5, the time-independent period can include an amount of most recently processed I/O requests that is equal to the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, the time-independent period can include an amount of most recently processed I/O requests that is equal to an integer multiple of the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, the time-independent period can include an amount of most recently processed I/O requests that is equal to an fractional portion of the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, and so on.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 5, determining (502) a priority for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue can also include determining (510) an amount of I/O requests processed for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue during the time-independent period. Determining (510) the amount I/O requests processed for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue during the time-independent period may be carried out, for example, through the use of an I/O history maintained by one or more modules within the storage system. Such an I/O history may include information such as, a log of I/O requests issued for processing on the storage array along with an identifier of the entity that is associated with each I/O request, a log of I/O requests executed by the storage array along with an identifier of the entity that is associated with each I/O request, or other information. Readers will appreciate that the ‘amount’ I/O requests processed for each entity may be expressed in terms of the total cost associated with all I/O requests processed for each entity during the time-independent period. In such an example, the total cost associated with all I/O requests processed for each entity during the time-independent period may be calculated using information such as the resource consumption table described above. In such a way, all I/O requests are not treated equally as some types of I/O requests require more system resources to execute than other types of I/O requests.

Consider an example in which a first entity was associated with 25 read operations of 64 KB or less, 20 read operations of over 64 KB in size, 10 write operations of 64 KB or less, and 5 write operations of over 64 KB in size that were processed by the storage system (404) in the time-independent period. In such an example, the amount of I/O requests processed for the first entity during the time-independent period would be determined (510) to be 165 units of I/O requests. In such an example, if a second entity was associated with 20 write operations of over 64 KB in size that were processed by the storage system (404) in the time-independent period, the amount of I/O requests processed for the second entity during the time-independent period would be determined (510) to be 200 units of I/O requests, meaning that the amount of I/O requests processed for the second entity during the time-independent period would be greater than the amount of I/O requests processed for the first entity during the time-independent period, in spite of the fact that the number of I/O requests processed for the first entity during the time-independent period was greater than the number of I/O requests processed for the second entity during the time-independent period.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 5, determining (502) a priority for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue can also include assigning (512) priorities to each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue in dependence upon the amount I/O requests processed for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue during the time-independent period. Assigning (512) priorities to each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue in dependence upon the amount I/O requests processed for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue during the time-independent period may be carried out, for example, by assigning a highest priority to the entity that had the smallest amount of I/O requests associated with the entity that were processed during the time-independent period, by assigning a second highest priority to the entity that had the second smallest amount of I/O requests associated with the entity that were processed during the time-independent period, by assigning a third highest priority to the entity that had the third smallest amount of I/O requests associated with the entity that were processed during the time-independent period, and so on. In an alternative embodiment, only a predetermined number of priorities may exist and be assigned to each entity based on the amount of I/O requests associated with the entity that were processed in the time-independent period. For example, a lowest priority may be assigned to all entities that were associated with more than their fair share of I/O requests that were processed during the time-independent period and a highest priority may be assigned to all entities that were not associated with more than their fair share of I/O requests that were processed during the time-independent period.

For further explanation,FIG. 6sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method depicted inFIG. 6is similar to the example methods depicted inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, as the example method depicted inFIG. 5also includes receiving (406) an I/O request (402) associated with an entity, determining (408) whether an amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than an amount of available system resources in the storage system (404), issuing (420) the I/O request (402) to the storage system (404) in response to determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is not (416) greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404), and in response to affirmatively (410) determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404): queuing (412) the I/O request (402) in an entity-specific queue for the entity that is associated with the I/O request (402), detecting (414) that additional system resources in the storage system (404) have become available, determining (502) a priority for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue, and issuing (418) an I/O request from an entity-specific queue for an entity that has a highest priority among entities with non-empty entity-specific queues in response to detecting that additional system resources in the storage system (404) have become available.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 6, determining (502) a priority for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue can include determining (602), in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, a fair share of system resources for each entity. Determining (602) a fair share of system resources for each entity in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel may be carried out, for example, by determining how many entities are actively associated with incoming I/O requests and dividing the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel equally among the entities that are actively associated with incoming I/O requests. A particular entity may be deemed to be ‘actively’ associated with incoming I/O requests, for example, if any I/O requests that are associated with the particular entity have been received during a predetermined number of most recent I/O generations. Readers will appreciate that althoughFIG. 6describes determining (602) a fair share of system resources for each entity in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel, the fair share of system resources for each entity may be determined (602) in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel while adhering to one or more performance criteria.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 6, determining (502) a priority for each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue can also include assigning (604) priorities to each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue in dependence upon the amount I/O requests processed for each entity during the time-independent period in excess of the fair share of system resources for each entity. Consider the example described above in which the storage system (404) can execute 1000 units of I/O requests in parallel while meeting a predetermined performance threshold. In such an example, assume that 10 entities are actively associated with incoming I/O requests. In this example, the fair share of system resources for each entity would be 100 units of I/O requests. If a particular entity was associated with 175 units of I/O requests that were processed during the time-independent period, the amount I/O requests processed for such an entity during the time-independent period in excess of the fair share of system resources for each entity would be 75 units of I/O requests. In the example method depicted inFIG. 6, assigning (604) priorities to each entity with a non-empty entity-specific queue in dependence upon the amount I/O requests processed for each entity during the time-independent period in excess of the fair share of system resources for each entity may be carried out, for example, by assigning the lowest priority to the entity that most significantly exceeded its fair share, by assigning the second lowest priority to the entity that exceeded its fair share by the second largest amount, and so on.

Readers will appreciate that the amount I/O requests processed for a particular entity during the time-independent period may be in excess of the fair share of system resources for such an entity because any incoming I/O request (402) will be issued (420) to the storage system (404) in response to determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is not (416) greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404), regardless of which entity is associated with the I/O request. Consider the example described above in which ten entities are actively associated with incoming I/O requests. In such an example, the fair share of system resources for each entity would represent 10% of the storage system's (404) capacity for processing I/O requests. If nine of the entities have no pending I/O requests being serviced by the storage system (404) and the tenth entity issues an amount of I/O requests that would consume 25% of the storage system's (404) capacity for processing I/O requests, however, the storage system (404) may be configured to immediately process all of the I/O requests from the tenth entity because the storage system (404) has sufficient resources to immediately process all of the I/O requests from the tenth entity, in spite of the fact that the amount I/O requests processed for the tenth entity during the time-independent period may be in excess of the fair share of system resources for the tenth entity.

For further explanation,FIG. 7sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method depicted inFIG. 7is similar to the example methods depicted inFIG. 4,FIG. 5, andFIG. 6, as the example method depicted inFIG. 7also includes receiving (406) an I/O request (402) associated with an entity, determining (408) whether an amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than an amount of available system resources in the storage system (404), issuing (420) the I/O request (402) to the storage system (404) in response to determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request is not (416) greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404), and in response to affirmatively (410) determining that the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) is greater than the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404): queuing (412) the I/O request (402) in an entity-specific queue for the entity that is associated with the I/O request (402), detecting (414) that additional system resources in the storage system (404) have become available, and issuing (418) an I/O request from an entity-specific queue for an entity that has a highest priority among entities with non-empty entity-specific queues in response to detecting that additional system resources in the storage system (404) have become available.

The example method depicted inFIG. 7also includes determining (702), in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel, a fair share of system resources for each entity. Determining (702) a fair share of system resources for each entity in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel may be carried out, for example, by determining how many entities are actively associated with incoming I/O requests and dividing the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel equally among the entities that are actively associated with incoming I/O requests. A particular entity may be deemed to be ‘actively’ associated with incoming I/O requests, for example, if any I/O requests that are associated with the particular entity have been received during a predetermined number of I/O generations. Readers will appreciate that althoughFIG. 7describes determining (702) a fair share of system resources for each entity in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel, the fair share of system resources for each entity may be determined (702) in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (404) in parallel while adhering to one or more performance criteria.

The example method depicted inFIG. 7further comprises, in response to issuing the I/O request (402), debiting (708) a resource utilization balance for the entity associated with the I/O request (402). The resource utilization balance for the particular entity may represent a running total of the extent to which the particular entity has utilized its fair share of system resources. The resource utilization balance may initially be set to a value that includes the particular entity's fair share of system resources, and each time that the particular entity utilizes some system resources, the particular entity's resource utilization balance may be debited (708) by an amount that is equal to the amount of system resources that the particular entity consumed. Debiting (708) the resource utilization balance for the entity associated with the I/O request (402) may be carried out, for example, by subtracting the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) from resource utilization balance for the entity that is associated with the I/O request (402). In such an example, by debiting (708) the resource utilization balance for the entity associated with the I/O request (402) in response to issuing the I/O request (402), the storage system (404) may track the extent to which each entity has utilized its fair share of system resources.

The example method depicted inFIG. 7also includes tracking (710), for each entity, the amount I/O requests processed for each entity during the time-independent period. Tracking (710) the amount I/O requests processed for each entity during the time-independent period may be carried out, for example, by summing up the amount of resources required to service each I/O request issued by each entity during the time-independent period using information from a source such as the resource consumption table described above. Consider an example in which a first entity was associated with 25 read operations of 64 KB or less, 20 read operations of over 64 KB in size, 10 write operations of 64 KB or less, and 5 write operations of over 64 KB in size that were processed by the storage system (404) in the time-independent period. In such an example, the amount of I/O requests processed for the first entity during the time-independent period would be 165 units of I/O requests.

The example method depicted inFIG. 7also includes crediting (712) the resource utilization balance for each entity with the fair share of system resources for each entity upon the expiration of the time-independent period. Readers will appreciate that by crediting (712) the resource utilization balance for each entity with the fair share of system resources for each entity upon the expiration of the time-independent period, rather than crediting the resource utilization balance for an entity associated with an I/O request when the I/O request completes, entities that use more than their fair share of system resources can be tracked such that entities that use more than their fair share of system resources may be given lower priority when system utilization reaches system capacity.

Consider the example described above in which the storage system (404) can execute 1000 units of I/O requests in parallel while meeting a predetermined performance threshold, 10 entities are actively associated with incoming I/O requests, such that the fair share of system resources for each entity would be 100 units of I/O requests. In such an example, assume that in the current time-independent period, a first entity causes 900 units of I/O requests issued, resulting in the storage system (404) hitting its full capacity and further resulting in the queuing of I/O requests. In such an example, because the resource utilization balance for the first entity is debited (708) as each I/O request is issued, the first entity would quickly develop a negative resource utilization balance, thereby identifying the first entity as an entity that has utilized system resources in excess of its fair share. As the execution of such I/O requests completes, if the resource utilization balance for the first entity were to be credited with the amount of system resources required to service each I/O request as each I/O request completes, the first entity would quickly return to a state where it has a non-negative resource utilization balance and it is not characterized as having utilized system resources in excess of its fair share, in spite of the fact that the performance of I/O requests associated with other entities suffered in large part because the first entity issued such a large amount of I/O requests. Rather than creating a situation where an entity can quickly be absolved of such resource overutilization, by only crediting (712) the resource utilization balance for each entity with the fair share of system resources for each entity upon the expiration of the time-independent period, the entity must cease over utilizing system resources in order to return to a state where it is not characterized as having utilized system resources in excess of its fair share.

The example method depicted inFIG. 7also includes determining (704) the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402). Determining (704) the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request (402) may be carried out, for example, through the use of a resource consumption table or other information source that associates various types of I/O requests with the amount of system resources required to service each type of I/O request. The resource consumption table or other information source that associates various types of I/O requests with the amount of system resources required to service each type of I/O request may be generated, for example, through the use of a test suite, by observing and analyzing actual system performance over the lifespan of the storage system (404), or in other ways.

The example method depicted inFIG. 7also includes determining (706) the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404). The amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) may represent the portion of total system capacity that is not currently in use. Continuing with the example described above in which the storage system (404) would be able to execute 1000 units of I/O requests in parallel while meeting the predetermined performance threshold, assume that the storage system (404) is currently executing 100 read operations of 64 KB or less, 100 read operations of over 64 KB in size, 100 write operations of 64 KB or less, and 15 write operations of over 64 KB in size. Using the resource consumption table included above, the 100 read operations of 64 KB or less would consume 100 units of I/O requests, the 100 read operations of over 64 KB in size would consume 200 units of I/O requests, the 100 write operations of 64 KB or less would consume 500 units of I/O requests, and the 15 write operations of over 64 KB in size would consume 150 units of I/O requests. As such, the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) would be 50 units of I/O requests, as 950 units of I/O requests are currently being consumed by the I/O requests currently executing on the storage system (404). In the example method depicted inFIG. 7, determining (706) the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) may be carried out, for example, by initially setting the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) to a value that represents the amount of I/O requests that the storage can process in parallel (possibly even while adhering to one or more performance criteria). Each time an I/O request is issued for servicing by the storage system (404), the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) may be debited by an amount that is equal to the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request. Likewise, each time the storage system (404) finishes servicing an I/O request, the amount of available system resources in the storage system (404) may be credited by an amount that is equal to the amount of system resources required to service the I/O request.

For further explanation,FIG. 8sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method depicted inFIG. 8may be carried out, for example, by a scheduling module as described above with reference toFIG. 2. The scheduling module may be executing on computer hardware within a storage system (802) that, although depicted in less detail inFIG. 8, may be similar to the storage systems described above with reference toFIGS. 1-3.

The example method depicted inFIG. 8includes determining (802) whether an amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) has reached a predetermined reservation threshold. The predetermined reservation threshold can represent an amount of system resources whose usage should be restricted, so that some portion of the system resource generally remains available. Consider an example in which a system resource such a write buffer device (822), as described above with reference toFIG. 1, is associated with a predetermined reservation threshold of 10%. As described above, such a write buffer device (822) may be utilized as a quickly accessible buffer for data destined to be written to one or the storage devices (816,818,820) in the storage system (802). By utilizing the write buffer device (822) in such a way, the write latency experienced by users of the storage system (802) may be significantly improved relative to storage systems that do not include such write buffer devices (822). The write latency experienced by users of the storage system (802) may be significantly improved relative to storage systems that do not include such a write buffer device (802) because a storage array controller may send an acknowledgment to the user of the storage system (802) indicating that a write request has been serviced once the data associated with the write request has been written to one or the write buffer devices (822), even if the data associated with the write request has not yet been written to any of the storage devices (816,818,820). Readers will appreciate that if the write buffer device (822) becomes completely full, system performance may suffer significantly. As such, it may be prudent to restrict access to some portion of the write buffer device (822) through the use of a predetermined reservation threshold.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 8, determining (802) whether an amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) has reached a predetermined reservation threshold may be carried out, for example, by comparing the total amount a particular system resource that exists in the storage system (802) to the total amount the particular system resource that is currently available, by comparing the total amount a particular system resource that exists in the storage system (802) to the total amount the particular system resource that is currently in use, or in other ways. Continuing with the example in which a system resource such a write buffer device (822) is associated with a predetermined reservation threshold of 10%, if the total capacity of the write buffer device (822) is 1 TB and the amount of free space in the write buffer device is 100 GB, the amount of available write buffer (822) resources in the storage system (802) has reached the predetermined reservation threshold.

The example method depicted inFIG. 8also includes, in response to affirmatively (806) determining that the amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) has reached the predetermined reservation threshold, determining (808) whether one or more entities in the storage system (802) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by a predetermined threshold during one or more time-independent periods. In the example method depicted inFIG. 8, the fair share of a particular system resource for each entity that is associated with incoming I/O requests may be determined by dividing the total amount of the particular system resource that is in the storage system (802) by the number of entities that are actively associated with I/O requests that are being serviced by the storage system (802). Continuing with the example described above in which a system resource such a write buffer device (822) has a total capacity of 1 TB, if there are 10 entities that are actively associated with I/O requests that are being serviced by the storage system (802), the fair share of write buffer device (822) resources for each entity is 100 GB.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 8, determining (808) whether one or more entities in the storage system (802) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by a predetermined threshold during one or more time-independent periods may be carried out, for example, by comparing the amount of a particular system resource that is utilized by each entity to the fair share of such a resource for each entity. Continuing with the example described above in which a system resource such a write buffer device (822) has a total capacity of 1 TB, there are 10 entities that are actively associated with I/O requests that are being serviced by the storage system (802), and the fair share of write buffer device (822) resources for each entity is 100 GB, assume that 150 GB of the data stored on the write buffer device (822) is attributable to a first entity. In such an example, the first entity has utilized more than its fair share of the write buffer device (822) resources available in the storage system (802). In such an example, determining (808) whether one or more entities in the storage system (802) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by a predetermined threshold during one or more time-independent periods may be carried out by comparing the amount of system resources that a particular entity utilized in excess of its fair share to the predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the predetermined threshold may be set to a non-zero value to allow for some level of resource utilization in excess of an entity's fair share, and in other embodiments the predetermined threshold may be set of a value of zero.

The example method depicted inFIG. 8also includes, in response to affirmatively (810) determining that one or more entities in the storage system (802) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by the predetermined threshold during the time-independent period, limiting (812) the one or more entities from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802). In the example method depicted inFIG. 8, limiting (812) the one or more entities from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802) may be carried out, for example, by reducing the amount of additional I/O requests associated with an entity that used more than its fair share of system resources that may be issued to the storage system (802). The one or more entities may be limited (812) from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802), for example, until a resource utilization balance as described above is restored to an acceptable level through the use of a debiting and crediting system described above, until the amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) has fallen below the predetermined reservation threshold, or until the occurrence of some other event.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 8, limiting (812) the one or more entities from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802) can include blocking (814) the one or more entities from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802). By blocking (814) the one or more entities from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802), the one or more entities that have utilized more than their fair share of system resources may be entirely prohibited from having any additional I/O requests associated with such an entity issued to the storage system (802). The one or more entities may be blocked (814) from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802), for example, until a resource utilization balance as described above is restored to an acceptable level through the use of a debiting and crediting system described above, until the amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) has fallen below the predetermined reservation threshold, or until the occurrence of some other event.

For further explanation,FIG. 9sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method depicted inFIG. 9is similar to the example method depicted inFIG. 8, as the example method depicted inFIG. 9also includes determining (802) whether an amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) has reached a predetermined reservation threshold, determining (808) whether one or more entities in the storage system (802) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by a predetermined threshold during one or more time-independent periods, and limiting (812) the one or more entities from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802).

The example method depicted inFIG. 9also includes determining (902) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel. Determining (902) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel may be carried out, for example, through the use of one or more test suites that issue I/O requests to the storage system (802). Alternatively, determining (902) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel may be carried out by monitoring actual system performance during operation of the storage system (802) and identifying workload levels that cause system performance to degrade, as such a degradation in system performance may be indicative that system capacity has been fully utilized. In such an example, monitoring actual system performance during operation of the storage system (802) may be carried out indefinitely as amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel may change over time in response to components within the storage system (802) aging, in response to the storage system (802) storing more data, and for a variety of other reasons.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 9, determining (902) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel can include determining (904) the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel while adhering to a performance requirement. Such a performance requirement may specify, for example, the maximum permissible amount of time that may lapse between the time that an I/O request is issued to the storage system (802) and the time that the storage system (802) indicates that the I/O request has been serviced. Readers will appreciate that in other embodiments, other or additional performance criteria may be taken into consideration as determining (904) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel while adhering to a performance requirement can potentially include determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel while adhering to a read latency requirement, determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel while adhering to a write latency requirement, determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel while adhering to an IOPS requirement, or determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel while adhering to other requirements. In such an example, one or more of such performance criteria may be taken into consideration when determining (904) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel while adhering to a performance requirement.

The example method depicted inFIG. 9also includes establishing (906), in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel, the time-independent period. Establishing (906), in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel, the time-independent period may be carried out by establishing a time-independent period that includes one or more generations of I/O requests. In such an example, each generation of I/O requests may be equal to the amount of I/O requests that the storage system (802) may process in parallel. Consider the example described above in which the storage system (802) can execute 1000 units of I/O requests in parallel while meeting a predetermined performance threshold. In such an example, a first generation of I/O requests may be defined as the first 1000 units of I/O requests executed by the storage system (802), a second generation of I/O requests may be defined as the second 1000 units of I/O requests executed by the storage system (802), and so on. Readers will appreciate that one or more generations of I/O requests is a time-independent period, as a generation of I/O requests may only cover a small period of time when the storage system (802) is receiving a relatively large number of I/O requests while another generation of I/O requests may cover a much larger period of time when the storage system (802) is receiving a relatively small number of I/O requests. In the example method depicted inFIG. 9, the time-independent period can include an amount of most recently processed I/O requests that is a function of the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel as the time-independent period can include an amount of most recently processed I/O requests that is equal to an integer multiple of the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, the time-independent period can include an amount of most recently processed I/O requests that is equal to an fractional portion of the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, and so on.

For further explanation,FIG. 10sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method depicted inFIG. 10is similar to the example method depicted inFIG. 8, as the example method depicted inFIG. 10also includes determining (802) whether an amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) has reached a predetermined reservation threshold, determining (808) whether one or more entities in the storage system (802) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by a predetermined threshold during one or more time-independent periods, and limiting (812) the one or more entities from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802).

The example method depicted inFIG. 10also includes determining (1002), in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel, a fair share of system resources for each entity. Determining (1002) a fair share of system resources for each entity in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel may be carried out, for example, by determining how many entities are actively associated with incoming I/O requests and dividing the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel equally among the entities that are actively associated with incoming I/O requests. A particular entity may be deemed to be ‘actively’ associated with incoming I/O requests, for example, if any I/O requests that are associated with the particular entity have been received during a predetermined number of most recent I/O generations. Readers will appreciate that althoughFIG. 10describes determining (1002) a fair share of system resources for each entity in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel, the fair share of system resources for each entity may be determined (1002) in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (802) in parallel while adhering to one or more performance criteria.

The example method depicted inFIG. 10also includes determining (1004) whether an additional time-independent period has expired since the one or more entities were limited from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802). In the example method depicted inFIG. 10, determining (1004) whether an additional time-independent period has expired since the one or more entities were limited from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802) may be carried out by tracking the amount of I/O requests that were issued since the one or more entities were limited from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802). In an example in which the time-independent period is a function of the amount of I/O requests that are included in a generation of I/O requests, an additional time-independent period has expired once the amount of I/O requests that were issued since the one or more entities were limited from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802) has reached the amount of the amount of I/O requests that are included in the time-independent period.

The example method depicted in inFIG. 10also includes, in response to affirmatively (1006) determining that the additional time-independent period has expired since the one or more entities were blocked from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802), crediting (1008) the one or more entities with at least a portion of its fair share of system resources. Crediting (1008) the one or more entities with at least a portion of its fair share of system resources may be carried out, for example, through the use of a resource utilization budget or similar mechanism that is maintained for each entity that is associated with I/O requests that are serviced by the storage system (802).

For further explanation,FIG. 11sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method depicted inFIG. 11is similar to the example method depicted inFIG. 8, as the example method depicted inFIG. 11also includes determining (802) whether an amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) has reached a predetermined reservation threshold, determining (808) whether one or more entities in the storage system (802) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by a predetermined threshold during one or more time-independent periods, and limiting (812) the one or more entities from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802).

The example method depicted inFIG. 11also includes determining (1102) whether the amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) has become larger than the predetermined reservation threshold. Determining (1102) whether the amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) has become larger than the predetermined reservation threshold may be carried out, for example, by comparing the total amount a particular system resource that exists in the storage system (802) to the total amount the particular system resource that is currently available. Continuing with the example in which a system resource such a write buffer device (822) is associated with a predetermined reservation threshold of 10%, if the total capacity of the write buffer device (822) is 1 TB, the amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) will have become larger than the predetermined reservation threshold when the amount of free space in the write buffer device (822) becomes larger than 100 TB.

The example method depicted inFIG. 11also includes, in response to affirmatively (1104) determining that the amount of available system resources in the storage system (802) has become larger than the predetermined reservation threshold, enabling (1106) the one or more entities to issue additional I/O requests to the storage system (804). In the example method depicted inFIG. 11, enabling (1106) the one or more entities to issue additional I/O requests to the storage system (804) may be carried out by removing any limitations that were previously in place for entities one or more entities in the storage system (802) that have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share and were previously limited (812) from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (802).

For further explanation,FIG. 12sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method depicted inFIG. 12may be carried out, for example, by a scheduling module as described above with reference toFIG. 2. The scheduling module may be executing on computer hardware within a storage system (1202) that, although depicted in less detail inFIG. 12, may be similar to the storage systems described above with reference toFIGS. 1-3.

The example method depicted inFIG. 12also includes determining (1204) whether an amount of system resource utilization in the storage system (1202) has reached a predetermined utilization threshold. The predetermined utilization threshold can represent an amount of system resources that may be used before restrictions are put in place, so that some portion of the system resource generally remains available. Consider an example in which a system resource such a write buffer device (1222), as described above with reference toFIG. 1, is associated with a predetermined utilization threshold of 90%. As described above, such a write buffer device (1222) may be utilized as a quickly accessible buffer for data destined to be written to one or the storage devices (1216,1218,1220) in the storage system (1202). By utilizing the write buffer device (1222) in such a way, the write latency experienced by users of the storage system (1202) may be significantly improved relative to storage systems that do not include such write buffer devices (1222). The write latency experienced by users of the storage system (1202) may be significantly improved relative to storage systems that do not include such a write buffer device (1202) because a storage array controller may send an acknowledgment to the user of the storage system (1202) indicating that a write request has been serviced once the data associated with the write request has been written to one or the write buffer devices (1222), even if the data associated with the write request has not yet been written to any of the storage devices (1216,1218,1220). Readers will appreciate that if the write buffer device (1222) becomes completely full, system performance may suffer significantly. As such, it may be prudent to restrict access to some portion of the write buffer device (1222) through the use of a predetermined utilization threshold.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 12, determining (1204) whether an amount of system resource utilization in the storage system (1202) has reached a predetermined utilization threshold may be carried out, for example, by comparing the total amount a particular system resource that exists in the storage system (1202) to the total amount the particular system resource that is currently available, comparing the total amount a particular system resource that exists in the storage system (1202) to the total amount the particular system resource that is currently is use, or in other ways. Continuing with the example in which a system resource such a write buffer device (1222) is associated with a predetermined utilization threshold of 90%, if the total capacity of the write buffer device (822) is 1 TB and the amount of free space in the write buffer device is 100 GB, the amount of write buffer (1222) utilization has reached the predetermined utilization threshold.

The example method depicted inFIG. 12also includes, in response to affirmatively1206) determining that the amount of system resource utilization in the storage system (1202) has reached a predetermined utilization threshold, determining (1208) whether one or more entities in the storage system have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by a predetermined threshold during a time-independent period. In the example method depicted inFIG. 12, the fair share of a particular system resource for each entity that is associated with incoming I/O requests may be determined by dividing the total amount of the particular system resource that is in the storage system (1202) by the number of entities that are actively associated with I/O requests that are being serviced by the storage system (1202). Continuing with the example described above in which a system resource such a write buffer device (1222) has a total capacity of 1 TB, if there are 10 entities that are actively associated with I/O requests that are being serviced by the storage system (1202), the fair share of write buffer device (1222) resources for each entity is 100 GB.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 12, determining (1208) whether one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by a predetermined threshold during one or more time-independent periods may be carried out, for example, by comparing the amount of a particular system resource that is utilized by each entity to the fair share of such a resource for each entity. Continuing with the example described above in which a system resource such a write buffer device (1222) has a total capacity of 1 TB, there are 10 entities that are actively associated with I/O requests that are being serviced by the storage system (1202), and the fair share of write buffer device (1222) resources for each entity is 100 GB, assume that 150 GB of the data stored on the write buffer device (1222) is attributable to a first entity. In such an example, the first entity has utilized more than its fair share of the write buffer device (1222) resources available in the storage system (1202). In such an example, determining (1208) whether one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by a predetermined threshold during one or more time-independent periods may be carried out by comparing the amount of system resources that a particular entity utilized in excess of its fair share to the predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the predetermined threshold may be set to a non-zero value to allow for some level of resource utilization in excess of an entity's fair share, and in other embodiments the predetermined threshold may be set of a value of zero.

The example method depicted inFIG. 12also includes, in response to affirmatively (1210) determining that one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by the predetermined threshold during the time-independent period, freezing (1212), at least partially, an amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share. Freezing (1212), at least partially, an amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share may be carried out through the use of a resource utilization budget or similar mechanism that is maintained for each entity that is associated with I/O requests that are serviced by the storage system (1202). In such an example, when an I/O request that is associated with a particular entity is issued to the storage system (1202), the resource utilization budget for the particular entity may be debited by an amount that is equal to the amount of system resources required to service the I/O operation. If a particular entity utilized system resources in excess of their fair share the entity may ultimately be blocked from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (1202). Readers will appreciate that in some embodiments, as the resource utilization budget for entities are credited (e.g., upon the expiration of a time-independent period), crediting the resource utilization budget for an entity that is blocked from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (1202) may have the unintended consequence of making an over-consuming entity appear to be an entity that is not consuming more than its fair share of system resources by virtue of the entity being blocked from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (1202). To avoid this outcome, in the example method depicted inFIG. 12, the amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share may be at least partially frozen (1212). Freezing (1212), at least partially, an amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share may be carried out, for example, by decreasing the extent to which the resource utilization budget for an entity that is blocked from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (1202) is credited while the entity is blocked from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (1202).

In the example method depicted inFIG. 12, freezing (1212), at least partially, an amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share can include freezing (1214) the amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share. In the example method depicted inFIG. 12, freezing (1214) the amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share may be carried out, for example, by ceasing to credit the resource utilization budget for an entity that is blocked from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (1202) while the entity is blocked from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (1202).

For further explanation,FIG. 13sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method depicted inFIG. 13is similar to the example method depicted inFIG. 12, as the example method depicted inFIG. 13also includes determining (1204) whether an amount of system resource utilization in the storage system (1202) has reached a predetermined utilization threshold, determining (1208) whether one or more entities in the storage system have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by a predetermined threshold during a time-independent period in response to affirmatively (1206) determining that the amount of system resource utilization in the storage system (1202) has reached a predetermined utilization threshold, and freezing (1212), at least partially, an amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share in response to affirmatively (1210) determining that one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by the predetermined threshold during the time-independent period.

The example method depicted inFIG. 13also includes, in response to affirmatively (1210) determining that one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by the predetermined threshold during the time-independent period, blocking (1302) the one or more entities from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (1202). By blocking (1302) the one or more entities from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (1202), the one or more entities that have utilized more than their fair share of system resources may be entirely prohibited from having any additional I/O requests associated with such an entity issued to the storage system (1202). The one or more entities may be blocked (1302) from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (1202), for example, until a resource utilization balance as described above is restored to an acceptable level through the use of a debiting and crediting system described above, until the amount of available system resources in the storage system (1202) has fallen below the predetermined reservation threshold, or until the occurrence of some other event. Readers will appreciate that in other embodiments, the one or more entities that have utilized more than their fair share of system resources may be only partially prohibited (i.e., limited) from having any additional I/O requests associated with such an entity issued to the storage system (1202).

The example method depicted inFIG. 13also includes determining (1304) whether the amount of system resource utilization in the storage system (1202) has fallen below the predetermined utilization threshold. Determining (1304) whether the amount of system resource utilization in the storage system (1202) has fallen below the predetermined utilization threshold may be carried out, for example, by comparing the total amount a particular system resource that exists in the storage system (1202) to the total amount the particular system resource that is currently available, by comparing the total amount a particular system resource that exists in the storage system (1202) to the total amount the particular system resource that is currently in use, or in other ways. Continuing with the example in which a system resource such a write buffer device (1222) is associated with a predetermined utilization threshold of 90%, if the total capacity of the write buffer device (1222) is 1 TB, the amount of system resource utilization in the storage system (1202) will have fallen below the predetermined utilization threshold when the amount of free space in the write buffer device (1222) becomes larger than 100 TB.

The example method depicted inFIG. 13also includes, in response to affirmatively (1310) determining that one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by the predetermined threshold during the time-independent period, unfreezing (1306), at least partially, the amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share. Unfreezing (1306), at least partially, the amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share may be carried out through the use of a resource utilization budget or similar mechanism that is maintained for each entity that is associated with I/O requests that are serviced by the storage system (1202). In such an example, when an I/O request that is associated with a particular entity is issued to the storage system (1202), the resource utilization budget for the particular entity may be debited by an amount that is equal to the amount of system resources required to service the I/O operation. In the example method depicted inFIG. 12, at least partially unfreezing (1306) the amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share may be carried out, for example, by enabling the resource utilization budget for an entity that is blocked from issuing additional I/O requests to the storage system (1202) to be credited.

In the example method depicted inFIG. 13, at least partially unfreezing (1306) the amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share can include determining (1308) whether an additional time-independent period has expired since the amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share was at least partially frozen (1212). In the example method depicted inFIG. 13, in response to affirmatively (1310) determining that the additional time-independent period has expired since the amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share was at least partially frozen (1212), crediting (1312) the one or more entities with at least a portion of its fair share of system resources.

For further explanation,FIG. 14sets forth a flow chart illustrating an additional example method for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method depicted inFIG. 14is similar to the example method depicted inFIG. 12, as the example method depicted inFIG. 14also includes determining (1204) whether an amount of system resource utilization in the storage system (1202) has reached a predetermined utilization threshold, determining (1208) whether one or more entities in the storage system have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by a predetermined threshold during a time-independent period in response to affirmatively (1206) determining that the amount of system resource utilization in the storage system (1202) has reached a predetermined utilization threshold, and freezing (1212), at least partially, an amount by which the one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share in response to affirmatively (1210) determining that one or more entities in the storage system (1202) have utilized system resources in excess of their fair share by the predetermined threshold during the time-independent period.

The example method depicted inFIG. 14also includes determining (1402) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel. Determining (1402) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel may be carried out, for example, through the use of one or more test suites that issue I/O requests to the storage system (1202). Alternatively, determining (1402) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel may be carried out by monitoring actual system performance during operation of the storage system (1202) and identifying workload levels that cause system performance to degrade, as such a degradation in system performance may be indicative that system capacity has been fully utilized. In such an example, monitoring actual system performance during operation of the storage system (1202) may be carried out indefinitely as amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel may change over time in response to components within the storage system (1202) aging, in response to the storage system (1202) storing more data, and for a variety of other reasons.

Although not expressly depicted inFIG. 14, readers will appreciate that determining (1402) an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel can include determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel while adhering to a performance requirement. Such a performance requirement may specify, for example, the maximum permissible amount of time that may lapse between the time that an I/O request is issued to the storage system (1202) and the time that the storage system (1202) indicates that the I/O request has been serviced. Readers will appreciate that in other embodiments, other or additional performance criteria may be taken into consideration as determining an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel while adhering to a performance requirement can potentially include determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel while adhering to a read latency requirement, determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel while adhering to a write latency requirement, determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel while adhering to an IOPS requirement, or determining the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel while adhering to other requirements. In such an example, one or more of such performance criteria may be taken into consideration when determining an amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel while adhering to a performance requirement.

The example method depicted inFIG. 14also includes establishing (1404), in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel, the time-independent period. Establishing (1404), in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel, the time-independent period may be carried out by establishing a time-independent period that includes one or more generations of I/O requests. In such an example, each generation of I/O requests may be equal to the amount of I/O requests that the storage system (1202) may process in parallel. Consider the example described above in which the storage system (1202) can execute 1000 units of I/O requests in parallel while meeting a predetermined performance threshold. In such an example, a first generation of I/O requests may be defined as the first 1000 units of I/O requests executed by the storage system (1202), a second generation of I/O requests may be defined as the second 1000 units of I/O requests executed by the storage system (1202), and so on. Readers will appreciate that one or more generations of I/O requests is a time-independent period, as a generation of I/O requests may only cover a small period of time when the storage system (1202) is receiving a relatively large number of I/O requests while another generation of I/O requests may cover a much larger period of time when the storage system (1202) is receiving a relatively small number of I/O requests. In the example method depicted inFIG. 9, the time-independent period can include an amount of most recently processed I/O requests that is a function of the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel as the time-independent period can include an amount of most recently processed I/O requests that is equal to an integer multiple of the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, the time-independent period can include an amount of most recently processed I/O requests that is equal to an fractional portion of the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system in parallel, and so on.

The example method depicted inFIG. 14also includes determining (1406), in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel, a fair share of system resources for each entity. Determining (1406) a fair share of system resources for each entity in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel may be carried out, for example, by determining how many entities are actively associated with incoming I/O requests and dividing the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel equally among the entities that are actively associated with incoming I/O requests. A particular entity may be deemed to be ‘actively’ associated with incoming I/O requests, for example, if any I/O requests that are associated with the particular entity have been received during a predetermined number of most recent I/O generations. Readers will appreciate that althoughFIG. 14describes determining (1406) a fair share of system resources for each entity in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel, the fair share of system resources for each entity may be determined (1406) in dependence upon the amount of I/O requests that may be processed by the storage system (1202) in parallel while adhering to one or more performance criteria.

Readers will appreciate that although the many of the examples depicted in the Figures described above relate to various embodiments of the present disclosure, other embodiments are well within the scope of the present disclosure. In particular, steps depicted in one figure may be combined with steps depicted in other figures to create permutations of the embodiments expressly called out in the figures. Readers will further appreciate that although the example methods described above are depicted in a way where a series of steps occurs in a particular order, no particular ordering of the steps is required unless explicitly stated. Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described largely in the context of a fully functional computer system for ensuring the fair utilization of system resources using workload based, time-independent scheduling. Readers of skill in the art will recognize, however, that the present disclosure also may be embodied in a computer program product disposed upon computer readable storage media for use with any suitable data processing system. Such computer readable storage media may be any storage medium for machine-readable information, including magnetic media, optical media, or other suitable media. Examples of such media include magnetic disks in hard drives or diskettes, compact disks for optical drives, magnetic tape, and others as will occur to those of skill in the art. Persons skilled in the art will immediately recognize that any computer system having suitable programming means will be capable of executing the steps of the method of the disclosure as embodied in a computer program product. Persons skilled in the art will recognize also that, although some of the example embodiments described in this specification are oriented to software installed and executing on computer hardware, nevertheless, alternative embodiments implemented as firmware or as hardware are well within the scope of the present disclosure.

Readers will appreciate that the steps described herein may be carried out in a variety ways and that no particular ordering is required. It will be further understood from the foregoing description that modifications and changes may be made in various embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from its true spirit. The descriptions in this specification are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed in a limiting sense. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the language of the following claims.