Content Server Disk Cache Usage Test

One of the common causes for a poor disk cache hit ratio is the lack of adequate memory resources for the disk cache. In the absence of memory, the disk cache will be able to store only a few frequently accessed files; this will compel the disk cache to reject many requests for files, which will then be served only by direct accesses to the disk. Using this test, administrators can periodically track the memory usage of the disk cache, measure the overall disk cache usage, and promptly detect potential memory contentions. In the event of excessive disk cache usage, you can use the detailed diagnosis of the test to figure out which files in the cache are consuming maximum space.

Target of the test : A Teratext Content Server

Agent deploying the test : An internal agent

Outputs of the test : One set of results for the Teratext Content server being monitored.

Configurable parameters for the test
Parameter Description

Test Period

How often should the test be executed

Host

The host for which the test is to be configured

Port

The port number at which the specified host listens

User, Password, Confirm Password

To monitor the Content Server, the eG agent should connect to the server using the credentials of a user with rights to access the IR-EXPLAIN-1database. Provide the credentials of such a user in the User and Password text boxes, and confirm the password by retyping it in the Confirm Password text box. 

Detailed Diagnosis

To make diagnosis more efficient and accurate, the eG Enterprise embeds an optional detailed diagnostic capability. With this capability, the eG agents can be configured to run detailed, more elaborate tests as and when specific problems are detected. To enable the detailed diagnosis capability of this test for a particular server, choose the On option. To disable the capability, click on the Off option.

The option to selectively enable/disable the detailed diagnosis capability will be available only if the following conditions are fulfilled:

  • The eG manager license should allow the detailed diagnosis capability
  • Both the normal and abnormal frequencies configured for the detailed diagnosis measures should not be 0.
Measurements made by the test
Measurement Description Measurement Unit Interpretation

Total size

Indicates the current size of the disk cache.

MB

 

Memory used

Indicates the total memory that is currently in use.

MB

A consistent increase in the value of this measure indicates a gradual memory erosion.

Disk cache usage

Indicates the percentage of disk cache that is currently in use.

Percent

The detailed diagnosis capability, if enabled, provides a list of files in the Content Sever; the amount of memory (in KB) of each file and the proportion of the disk cache (percentage) currently consumed by each file.