VALIDATOR AND METHOD FOR MANAGING DATABASE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
A system for calculating demand on system resources in a database system, the system including an interface for receiving data indicative of database system operational characteristics; a processor responsive to the data for emulating the performance of a hypothetical database system having operational characteristics consistent with the data; and an analyzer responsive to the processor for providing a report indicative of the performance of the hypothetical database system.
1 . A validator for managing database system performance in a database system, the validator including:
an interface for receiving data indicative of database system operational characteristics;
a processor responsive to the data for emulating the performance of a hypothetical database system having operational characteristics consistent with the data; and
an analyzer responsive to the processor for providing a report indicative of the performance of the hypothetical database system.
2 . A validator according to claim 1 wherein the database system uses CLSM-type architecture.
3 . A validator according to claim 1 wherein the processor is integrated into the engine of the database system.
4 . A validator according to claim 3 wherein the database system includes a query optimizer, and the processor leverages one or more functionalities of the query optimizer.
5 . A validator according to claim 4 wherein the query optimizer is extended to include a validator cost model for usage by the processor.
6 . A validator according to claim 1 wherein the interface organizes the data into a plurality of models.
7 . A validator according to claim 9 wherein the models include:
a database model including data indicative of schema, DDL, and table definitions;
a workload model including data indicative of SQL and transaction definitions;
a configuration model including data indicative of node, disk, AMP and PE definitions; and
a priority model including data indicative of a prioritizing protocol.
8 . A validator according to claim 9 wherein the models are selectively storable in and accessible from an information repository.
9 . A validator according to claim 1 wherein the interface includes an input for modifying the received data.
10 . A validator according to claim 9 wherein the report is prepared on the basis of a user command and the input is responsive to the user command for modifying the received data.
11 . A validator according to claim 1 including a probe for obtaining data indicative of operational characteristics of the database system and providing this data to the interface.
12 . A validator according to claim 11 wherein the probe obtains data from one or more performance logs maintained by the database system.
13 . A validator according to claim 11 wherein the probe obtains data on the basis of an analysis of the hardware configuration of the database system.
14 . A validator according to claim 11 wherein the probe obtains data on the basis of an analysis of the physical design of the database system.
15 . A validator according to claim 11 where data obtained by the probe is used to calculate performance factors to adjust theoretical performance calculations for conformity with actual performance.
16 . A validator according to claim 1 wherein the report provides a comparison of the performance of the database system to the hypothetical database system.
17 . A validator according to claim 1 wherein the report includes details of one or more relationships between operational characteristics and performance.
18 . A validator according to claim 1 wherein the operational characteristics include CPU, disk and network particulars.
19 . A validator according to claim 1 operable at a plurality of levels requiring respective threshold amounts of the data.
20 . A validator according to claim 19 wherein the levels include any one or more of:
a first level for generating a configuration model without performance analysis;
a second level for generating a configuration model with performance analysis;
a third level for analytic performance analysis; and
a fourth level for simulated performance analysis.
21 . A method for managing database system performance in a database system, the method including the steps of:
receiving data indicative of database system operational characteristics;
being responsive to the data for emulating the performance of a hypothetical database system having operational characteristics consistent with the data; and
being responsive to the emulation for providing a report indicative of the performance of the hypothetical database system.