Abstract: A volume provisioning advisor for managing storage allocation in a plurality of virtual storage subsystems is disclosed. A request for data storage and workload requirements is received from a user. Performance information for storage controllers and managed disks within a virtualization engine is received. Resource groups are defined based on the received performance information and available managed disks, and their utilizations tracked. Resource group performance within the virtualization engine is predicted based on the user workload requirements and existing or historical resource group utilization. Storage is allocated to one or more managed disks within the virtualization engine based on predicted resource group performance.

Abstract: A method to optimize revenue realized under multiple service level agreements with multiple data storage clients is disclosed. The method provides an information storage and retrieval system. The method includes entering into (N) service level agreements to provide data storage services for (N) applications using the information storage and retrieval system, where each of the (N) service level agreements specifies an average maximum response time RTSLA. The method calculates for each value of (j), the value per unit throughput ?j for the (j)th application, and then determines for each value of (j) the optimum data flow rate x(j)OPT. The method estimates, for each value of (j), a maximum data flow rate X(j)MAX that the (j)th application can utilize, and determines, for each value of (j), if x(j)OPT equals X(j)MAX.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing automatic performance optimization of virtualized storage allocation within a network of storage elements is disclosed. A request for storage of data is received and workload requirements of the user making the request are obtained. System parameters are analyzed and storage is provided to meet the desired performance requirements based on analysis of system parameters.