Isilon Cluster CPU Test

Without adequate processing power, the storage cluster may abruptly stop functioning. This is why, it is imperative that administrators keep an eye on the CPU usage of the storage cluster, so that if CPU usage exceeds permissible limits, it can be quickly detected and treated to ensure optimal performance of the storage cluster. This is where the Cluster CPU Utilization test helps. This test monitors the overall CPU utilization of the storage cluster and reveals where the maximum CPU time is spent – in serving user requests? in system-level processing? or being idle? This way, the test not only points administrators to the excessive CPU usage by the storage cluster, but also indicates the reason for the same, so that administrators can initiate the correct remedial measures.

Target of the test : An EMC Isilon Storage System

Agent deploying the test : A remote agent

Outputs of the test : One set of results for the target storage system being monitored.

Configurable parameters for the test

Parameter	Description
Test Period	How often should the test be executed.
Host	The IP address of the host for which this test is to be configured.
Port	The port at which the host listens. By default, this will be NULL.
Timeout	Specify the time duration (in seconds) beyond which this test should time out in the Timeout text box. The default is 10 seconds.
Use SUDO	By default, this parameter is set to No. This indicates that, by default, the eG agent will not require any special permissions to execute the commands. However, in some highly secure environments, this command cannot be executed directly as the eG agent install user is different from the root user who has the privileges to run all commands on the target storage system. In such cases, create a sudo user using the steps discussed in the Pre-requisites for Monitoring the EMC Isilon Storage System section. Credentials of such a user should be specified in the Username and Password text boxes in the COMPONENTS page. Set the Use Sudo parameter to Yes. This will enable the eG agent install user to execute the commands.

Measurements made by the test

Measurement	Description	Measurement Unit	Interpretation
System CPU usage	Indicates the percentage of CPU time the storage cluster spent in system-level processing.	Percent	Compare the value of this measure with the value of the User CPU usage and Idle CPU measures to understand where storage cluster spent the maximum CPU time - in serving user requests? in system-level processing? or being idle? In the event of a slowdown, you can use the results of this comparative analysis to determine what caused the CPU contention.
User CPU usage	Indicates the percentage of CPU time that the storage cluster spent in user-level processing.	Percent	Compare the value of this measure with the value of the System CPU usage and Idle CPU measures to understand where storage cluster spent the maximum CPU time - in serving user requests? in system-level processing? or being idle? In the event of a slowdown, you can use the results of this comparative analysis to determine what caused the CPU contention.
Idle CPU	Indicates the percentage of time the CPU was idle on the storage cluster.	Percent	Compare the value of this measure with the value of the System CPU usage and User CPU usage measures to understand where storage cluster spent the maximum CPU time - in serving user requests? in system-level processing? or being idle? In the event of a slowdown, you can use the results of this comparative analysis to determine what caused the CPU contention.