HP Data Protector Software Performance White Paper

17
Finding bottlenecks
Process for identifying bottlenecks
In order to get the maximum performance of a backup and restore environment, it is important to
understand that many elements influence backup and restore throughput.
A process is needed that breaks down a complex SAN infrastructure into simple parts, which
can be analyzed, measured, and compared. The results can then be used to plan a backup
strategy that maximizes performance.
Figure 7 illustrates an example for identifying bottlenecks in SAN environments.
Figure 7. Example for identifying bottlenecks
The following steps are used to evaluate the throughput of a complex SAN infrastructure:
1. Measure the tape subsystem’s WRITE performance.
2. Measure the tape subsystem’s READ performance.
3. Measure the disk subsystem’s WRITE performance.
4. Measure the disk subsystem’s READ performance.
5. Evaluate the backup and restore application’s effect on disk and tape performance.
Details of each of the steps are demonstrated in the test environment. See
Evaluating tape and
disk drive performance on page 31.
With the tests and subsequent analysis on a component level, it is possible to identify
bottlenecks in the SAN.
Performance tools
Understanding the performance of a server, its HBAs, CPU, memory, and storage, can be vital
in determining the expected performance of a backup solution. Much of the theoretical
performance information may be known when sizing the server and its components, but the true
performance may not be known until baseline testing is conducted on the system. HP offers
tools that help in determining the raw performance of each component involved in the backup
and restore solution.
The following performance tools were used:
• HP StorageWorks Library and Tape Tools diagnostics (L&TT)