Dhakshinamoorthy

updated

13 years ago

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Dhakshinamoorthy

2 Intern

174 Posts

0

4126

April 22nd, 2013 03:00

Cache watermark level change cause any downtime?

Hi All,

We set the cache low/high watermark levels to 30%/50%. I read some blogs, bloggers said EMC recommendation is 60%/80%. I would like to change the watermark levels as per EMC recommendation. what will happen when i change the watermark levels on production hours.

Storage Model: EMC Celerra NX-4

Backend: Clariion AX-4 5F8

Flare: 2.23.50.5.711

cache wm.jpg

  • christopher_ime

    6 Operator

    1962 Posts

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    Posted April 27th, 2013 16:00

    I'll assume you are running Navisphere Manager 26 (with FLARE 23) and a newer version of Java.  While running a recent version of Java is not an issue necessarily in itself; however, you most likely answered "Yes" to a Java prompt asking:

    "Block potentially unsafe components from being run? (recommended)"

    This appears when you access certain displays within Navisphere Manager such as "System Properties".  Instinctively, people select "Yes", and I would agree it is recommended on webpages you aren't familiar with; however, that will unfortunately break functionality within the GUI as you had experienced.  I will mention though if you managed your array with Unisphere (via domain management), you wouldn't get this prompt.

    You can confirm you had (accidentally) answered: "Yes" if you only see the tabs:

    1) General

    2) Cache  (NOTE: even though the Cache tab is displayed, several background Java scripts don't run)

    On the other hand if you properly selected "No", then you'd see many more tabs:

    1) General

    2) Cache

    3) Memory

    4) Storage Access

    5) Software

    You have 2 solutions (*neither* requires disabling write cache or watermarks):

    Solution #1

    1) Close the GUI and clear both browser and java cache

    2) When prompted, select "No" to the Java prompt

    3) On the Cache tab modify in the following order:

    a) Change the High Watermark first

    NOTE: This is important as the GUI checks that Low watermark is < High watermark.  If you were to try to change the Low watermark first, it would appear to not accept your input.  However, in this case the new lw (60%) > old hw (50%).

    b) Change the Low Watermark, then click OK

    Solution #2

    Modify via CLI:

    1) naviseccli -h setcache -l 60 -h 80

    NOTE: only need to run on one SP as it is a "mirrored" option

    2) naviseccli -h getcache

    3) naviseccli -h getcache

    NOTE: (optional) verify that both SP's report the updated values

  • Vipin VK

    2 Intern

    812 Posts

    1756

    1

    Posted April 22nd, 2013 04:00

    You can change the watermark settings even in production hours.

  • 1756

    1

    Posted April 22nd, 2013 07:00

    Hi,

    You may also refer to below mentioned document and tread...

    https://community.emc.com/docs/DOC-19387

    https://community.emc.com/thread/109654?start=0&tstart=0

    Regards,

    Suman Pinnamaneni

  • Vipin VK

    2 Intern

    812 Posts

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    0

    Posted April 26th, 2013 00:00

    There will be a small performance impact during the time when the cache (short time) is disabled.

  • Vipin VK

    2 Intern

    812 Posts

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    0

    Posted April 26th, 2013 00:00

    Try disabling read and write cache and then changing the Water Mark values.

  • Dhakshinamoorthy

    2 Intern

    174 Posts

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    Posted April 26th, 2013 00:00

    Hi Suman and Vipin,

    I cannot change the watermark levels.I changed the levels and click "Apply->OK" the screen stays long time.

  • christopher_ime

    6 Operator

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    Posted April 27th, 2013 16:00

    While you are reviewing "defaults", I had also noticed that the (Cache) Page Size is set to the non-default of 8KB.  Could you provide more information on the environment and the (predominant) I/O size

    For instance, an example which may apply to your environment and the reason for the 16KB (Cache) Page Size is a Windows SQL environment where the volumes are (NTFS) formatted with a 64KB allocation size versus the default 4KB (NTFS) allocation unit size.

    Otherwise, generally speaking 8KB is a good default in a "mixed" environment.

  • Dhakshinamoorthy

    2 Intern

    174 Posts

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    0

    Posted April 28th, 2013 11:00

    Hi Christoper,

    you are absolutely correct. I can change the watermark levels after selecting "No" when java prompt. Thanks for your help.

  • Dhakshinamoorthy

    2 Intern

    174 Posts

    849

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    Posted April 28th, 2013 11:00

    Hi Chris,

    Most of our environment uses SQL server database with NTFS partition with 4KB default allocation unit size and we have one Oracle Database Server. So that i selected "16KB" as a cache page size. Please suggest me is there any modification need.

    I aware when we select 16KB cache page size, lot of wasted space appear and oracle win when we select 16KB.Please educate if i am wrong.

  • christopher_ime

    6 Operator

    1962 Posts

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    Posted May 3rd, 2013 17:00

    Good to hear that was the case.