VMAX3 Performance Workshop

Upon successful completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Relate knowledge of the Symmetrix architecture and I/O handling processes to their performance benefits
• Identify the performance impact different types of workloads have on Symmetrix VMAX 1/2 architectural components
• Use key metrics to identify performance bottlenecks and components over utilization
• Make performance-oriented recommendations when allocating new storage or migrating applications

The content of this course are designed to support the course objectives. The following focus areas are included in this course: 

Module 1: Performance Management Overview

Module 2: Tools for Analyzing Performance

• Lesson 1: Unisphere for VMAX Performance Overview
• Lesson 2: Loading Data in Performance Viewer
• Lesson 3: Navigating Performance Viewer

Module 3: Performance Analysis

• Lesson 1: Workload Profiles and Characterization
• Lesson 2: Performance Analysis Roadmap
• Lesson 3: Little’s Law and its Impact on Response Time

Module 4: Analyzing Performance of the Symmetrix Front-end Adapters

Module 5: Analyzing Symmetrix Cache Performance

• Lesson 1: Symmetrix Cache Architecture
• Lesson 2: Cache Hit and Miss I/O Operations
• Lesson 3: System and Device Write Pending Limits
• Lesson 4: Dynamic Cache Partitions
• Lesson 5: Alignment of I/Os with Cache Slots
• Lesson 6: XtremSW Cache
• Lesson 7: Roadmap and Analysis

Module 6: Analyzing Performance of Symmetrix VMAX Backend Adapters

• Lesson 1: Symmetrix Backend Architecture
• Lesson 2: Analyzing Symmetrix Backend Utilization
• Lesson 3: Analyzing I/O Imbalance
• Lesson 4: Symmetrix Backend Optimization Algorithms
• Lesson 5: Impact of RAID Protection on Backend Performance

Module 7: Performance Considerations for Business Continuity Operations

• Lesson 1: TimeFinder Performance Considerations
• Lesson 2: SRDF Performance Considerations

To understand the content and successfully complete this course, a student must have a suitable knowledgebase/skill set. The student must have an understanding of basic Symmetrix DMX and VMAX 1/2 architecture and the use of ControlCenter Performance Manager. Some experience with Symmetrix Performance Analyzer will be helpful.

A list of specific prerequisite courses can be found in EMC Education Services Learning Management System.