Stress Testing Hard Disks; Configuring The Storage Exerciser - HP StorageWorks 9000 - Virtual Library System User Manual

Stress Testing Hard Disks

Systems running some VLS firmware versions can stress test physical storage to ensure the integrity of
the hard disks using the Storage Exerciser tool. The Storage Exerciser provides two types of test jobs:
• Background — enables a user to initiate a low resource test job that continually writes and reads
a small amount of data at regular intervals.
• Read-only — reads and decompresses all data currently residing on the VLS by opening each
non-empty, non-hidden cartridge. All data is decompressed but not copied to any other location
or made available to any other device.
To run a Background or Read-only job using the Storage Exerciser:
1. Log into Command View VLS.
2. Select the System tab.
3. From the navigation pane, select Chassis.
4. From the task bar, select Storage Exerciser. A caution screen indicates that running a job will
affect your system's overall performance.
5. Select Accept. The Storage Exerciser opens to the Configuration tab.
NOTE:
Storage Exerciser jobs will slow down other VLS operations. Do not start a job when the performance
of other VLS operations is critical.
NOTE:
All jobs are run from the master node.
Storage Exerciser jobs only test the physical storage; they do not test load balancing or stress multiple
nodes with multiple streams.

Configuring the Storage Exerciser

In the Configuration tab, you can assign default settings for reports.
You can customize:
• The storage pool targeted in tests (all or one specific storage pool).
• The compressibility ratio for data written during a Background job. For instance, if 2:1 is selected,
the data created will be compressible at 2:1 and decompressed when read back. This exercises
the disks more thoroughly than without compression. A compressibility ratio of at least 2:1 is re-
commended.
• The number of concurrent streams (up to six) running read or write operations. The larger the
number, the more the storage system is stressed.
NOTE:
A Background job can only involve one stream unless multiple storage pools are present.
208 Monitoring