Patent ID: 8285752

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: collecting data indicative of performance of a monitored computer system; storing the data in a database table, wherein the database table is stored on a storage device; summarizing the data into a plurality of summary levels, wherein each of the summary levels comprises summarized data over a respective one of a plurality of intervals of time; storing the summarized data in the plurality of summary levels in the database table, wherein the database table comprises a respective one or more partitions corresponding to each of the plurality of summary levels, wherein the summarized data for each of the plurality of summary levels is stored in the corresponding one or more partitions of the database table, and wherein storing the summarized data comprises, for each of the plurality of summary levels: determining a storage size of each of the one or more partitions for the respective summary level prior to storing the summarized data for the respective summary level, comprising dividing a respective retention period for the respective summary level by a pre-defined constant, wherein at least one of the retention periods is configurable by a user; storing the summarized data for the respective summary level in one or more partitions of a respective temporary database table; and merging the one or more partitions of the respective temporary database table with the one or more partitions of the database table for the respective summary level; and deleting the summarized data from the database table, wherein the summarized data for each of the plurality of summary levels is deleted upon expiration of the respective retention period for the respective summary level.