Systems and methods for performance monitoring

Abstract

Data storage systems monitor the performance of data storage operations on a granular level and compile the information for presenting to a user. The system measures the time of execution for individual granular stages of the storage operation and in response to the monitoring results, automatically adjust parameters to optimize performance. Further, the system performs a performance test by simulating the data storage operation, but may not actually write the data to the secondary storage medium.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method to adjust performance a data storage operation in a data management system, the method comprising:
 receiving, with computer hardware comprising one or more computer processors, an instruction to simulate a data backup operation on a data set, the data backup operation comprising a plurality of steps including at least a setup media agent pipeline step that has at least one adjustable parameter;   executing a plurality of iterative simulations with the computer hardware that adjust the at least one adjustable parameter associated with the setup media agent pipeline step, and measuring simulated execution times of the plurality of iterative simulations;   wherein adjusting the at least one adjustable parameter is based at least in part on at least a simulated execution time of a previous iterative simulation;   comparing, with the computer hardware, the simulated execution times of the plurality of iterative simulations to determine a minimum simulated execution time;   identifying, with the computer hardware, the at least one adjustable parameter associated with the minimum simulated execution time; and   saving the at least one adjustable parameter associated with the minimum simulated execution time as at least one default parameter for the data backup operation.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the at least one default parameter reduces an overall execution time of the data backup operation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the at least one default parameter is saved for later performance of a non-simulated data backup operation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising displaying, with the computer hardware, the simulated execution times on a graphical user interface (GUI). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the data backup operation comprises one or more of a full backup operation, a differential backup operation, an incremental backup operation, and a mirror backup operation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the data set comprises one or more of files, volumes, databases, and sub-clients. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of iterative simulations simulate at least establishing a connection between a media agent and a client computing device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of iterative simulations simulate at least storage of metadata associated with a connection between a media agent and a client computing device that stores the data set. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of iterative simulations simulate at least communicating with a storage manager. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of iterative simulations simulate at least a time to set up a media agent pipeline. 
     
     
         12 . A system to adjust performance of a data storage operation in a data management system, the system comprising:
 computer hardware comprising one or more computer processors, the computer hardware configured to:
 receive an instruction to simulate a data backup operation on a data set, the data backup operation comprising a plurality of steps including at least a setup media agent pipeline step that has at least one adjustable parameter; 
 execute a plurality of iterative simulations with the computer hardware to adjust the at least one adjustable parameter associated with the setup media agent pipeline step, and measure simulated execution times of the plurality of iterative simulations, wherein adjusting the at least one adjustable parameter is based at least in part on a simulated execution time of a previous iterative simulation; 
 compare the simulated execution times of the plurality of iterative simulations to determine a minimum simulated execution time; 
 identify the at least one adjustable parameter associated with the minimum simulated execution time; and 
 save the at least one adjustable parameter associated with the minimum simulated execution time as at least one default parameter for the data backup operation. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the at least one default parameter reduces an overall execution time of the data backup operation. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the at least one default parameter is saved for later performance of a non-simulated data backup operation. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the computer hardware is further configured to display the simulated execution times on a graphical user interface (GUI). 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the data backup operation comprises one or more of a full backup operation, a differential backup operation, an incremental backup operation, and a mirror backup operation. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the data set comprises one or more of files, volumes, databases, and sub-clients. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of iterative simulations simulate at least establishing a connection between a media agent and a client computing device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of iterative simulations simulate at least storage of metadata associated with a connection between a media agent and a client computing device that stores the data set. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of iterative simulations simulate at least communicating with a storage manager. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of iterative simulations simulate at least a time to set up a media agent pipeline.