Channel Processors Test

A channel processor (CHP), which is contained in a channel adapter (CHA), processes host commands and controls data transfer between hosts and the cache. A channel adapter typically contains multiple channel processors.

This test monitors the usage of each channel processor, and reveals over-utilized processors (if any).

Target of the test : A Hitachi USP storage device

Agent deploying the test : A remote agent

Outputs of the test : One set of results for every channel processor on the Hitachi USP device 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 specified host is listening. By default, this is set to NULL.

UserID, Password and Confirm password

The test should be configured with the credentials of a special user account, which is specifically created for use with the export utility; this account should fulfill the following conditions:

  • Should not possess the ‘write’ permission;
  • Can be of any user type; however, to ensure that the eG agent collects statistics pertaining to all storage partitions, it is recommended that this user is of type storage administrator;

Provide the credentials of this user against the UserID and Password parameters. Confirm the password by retyping it in the Confirm Password text box.

Timeout

Specify the duration (in seconds) within which the SNMP query executed by this test should time out in this text box. The default is 3 seconds.
Measurements made by the test
Measurement Description Measurement Unit Interpretation

Channel processor usage

Indicates the percentage of time for which this channel processor was in use.

Percent

A high value or a value close to 100% is indicative of excessive usage of the channel processor. By comparing the value of this measure across processors, you can accurately detect imbalances in load distribution, and rapidly identify the affected channel processors. To ensure that load is balanced, you might want to consider the following:

  • Install additional CHAs, or;
  • Move devices defined on already overloaded ports to ports with CHPs that are less utilized, so as to balance front-end usage;