HP UX 11i Workload Management (gWLM/WLM) Software manual

For more information on these system divisions, visit:

•HP Matrix Operating Environment website: http://www.hp.com/go/matrixoe/integrity

•The “Technical Documentation website for HP Matrix Operating Environment” website: HP Enterprise Information Library

•The “Global Workload Manager” topic and the glossary in the online help for gWLM, available in gWLM’s graphical interface in System Insight Manager.

gWLM manages resources based on the following model:

1.You define an SRD by:

a.Deciding which of your systems you want to manage and what type of compartments you want to use.

gWLM manages existing nPars, vPars, VSPs, and virtual machines. It can manage your existing psets and fss groups as well as create new ones.

b.Associating each workload with a compartment.

For nPars, vPars, VSPs, and virtual machines, the compartment itself defines the workload. For psets and fss groups, you define the workload based on applications, users, or process IDs.

c.Associating a policy with the workload indicating how gWLM should allocate resources to the workload's compartment.

gWLM comes with several policies and also lets you define your own. You can use a single policy for multiple workloads, minimizing the number of policies, if desired.

2.Once the SRD is deployed:

a.gWLM monitors the CPU resource consumption of all the workloads in the SRD during the current allocation interval.

b.At the end of the interval, gWLM adjusts the CPU resource allocations for the compartments in accordance with the policies. It also makes the allocation data available for real-time and historical reports.

c.gWLM repeats the previous two substeps.

For information on what types of workloads to combine for optimal resource utilization, refer to the online help topic “Getting the Most Out of gWLM.”

How gWLM allocates CPU resources

gWLM addresses priority levels from highest to lowest, allocating resources to all requests at a given priority level before considering lower priority requests. If, at some priority level, all requests cannot be satisfied, the remaining resources are distributed so that the total resource allocation for each workload is as near the proportion of its weight relative to the sum of all the weights as possible. If gWLM has satisfied all resource requests at all priorities and there are resources still to be allocated, it will distribute the remaining resources by weight. Again, this is so that the total resource allocation for each workload is as near the proportion of its weight relative to the sum of all the weights as possible.

Table 1 lists the default weights for the various policy types. For policies with weights, you can also set the weight explicitly.

Table 1 Default weights by policy type

Policy type	Default weight
Fixed	N/A

10 Overview

UX 11i Workload Management (gWLM/WLM) Software specifications

HP-UX 11i Workload Management (gWLM/WLM) software is an integral component of HP's premier UNIX operating system, designed to enhance system performance and resource management across diverse workloads. This advanced tool allows system administrators to monitor, control, and allocate resources effectively to achieve optimal performance, reliability, and service levels in enterprise environments.

One of the main features of gWLM/WLM is its ability to classify workloads and manage them according to specific policies set by the administrator. By using service level objectives (SLOs), administrators can define the performance criteria for various applications and workloads. gWLM continuously tracks these workloads, ensuring that they adhere to the defined SLOs, thus maintaining a high level of application performance.

The software employs resource pools, which segment resources such as CPU, memory, and I/O bandwidth among different workloads based on predefined priorities. This capability ensures that critical applications receive the resources they require, even during peak usage periods, thereby preventing resource starvation that could lead to system slowdowns or crashes.

Another significant characteristic of gWLM/WLM is its real-time monitoring and reporting capabilities. The software provides detailed insights into resource utilization, workload performance, and system health. Administrators can access this information through a user-friendly interface, allowing for informed decision-making and proactive management.

Integration with HP Serviceguard adds another layer of functionality, enabling high availability for critical applications. gWLM can orchestrate workload migration to ensure that service levels are maintained, even in the event of hardware failures or resource contention.

The technology behind gWLM/WLM is built on advanced algorithms that leverage historical data and predictive modeling to optimize resource allocation dynamically. This means that as workloads change, the system can automatically adjust resource distribution to meet performance targets without the need for constant manual intervention.

gWLM also supports integration with various enterprise management tools, enabling administrators to implement comprehensive monitoring and management strategies across the IT infrastructure. The scalability of gWLM allows organizations of all sizes to benefit from its robust workload management features, ensuring that they can adapt to changing demands in their operational environments.

In summary, HP-UX 11i Workload Management software offers a sophisticated solution for optimizing resource utilization, managing workloads effectively, and maintaining high performance in complex enterprise environments. Its comprehensive features and technologies make it an essential tool for any organization seeking to enhance their IT operations.