Abstract: Instances of client applications running independently on different devices are monitored to generate metadata records that are stored in cloud storage. Metadata records in cloud storage that have an aspect in common are grouped and used for comparative analysis. For example, metadata records for instances of the same client application, database, query or database structure may be grouped. Reports may be generated based on the analysis. The reports may indicate comparative performance, irregular activity, patch version and configurations associated with performance degradation, and recommended actions to improve performance.

Abstract: A SQL database tool maps database objects to storage addresses. The SQL database translates SQL requests to I/O requests on specific extents of OS files. A data structure maps the OS file extents to database objects. Using this mapping, I/O requests on files can be correlated to their relevant database objects, providing analysis of I/O activity and I/O wait time for database objects. Based on the computed database object activity level, the database objects may be allocated to different storage tiers according to their I/O needs.

Abstract: Certain database structures and operations are recognized in order to generate hints for a tiered storage array. Historical snapshots of a database data dictionary are searched for patterns corresponding to the structures and operations. After a structure or operation is identified, a corresponding set of extents is identified. Logic predicts future activity associated with the extents, and a corresponding hint is provided to the storage array. Statistical information associated with the identified structure or operation may be maintained and updated to facilitate prediction of activity.

Abstract: A data storage subsystem includes a data storage array and a host device in communication with the data storage array. Applications on servers and user terminals communicate with the host to access data maintained by the storage array. In order to enhance performance, the host includes a cache resource and a computer program including cache configuration logic which determines whether an IO received from an application is associated with a predetermined type of business process, and configures the cache resource to store data associated with the received IO where it is determined that the IO is associated with the predetermined type of business process, thereby enabling the data to be available directly from the host without accessing the storage subsystem in response to a subsequent Read request.

Abstract: Data access is monitored in order to calculate priorities for extents of data based on extent access activity and priority of a business process associated with the extent. The priorities of the extents are used to generate priority hints for a tiered storage array. The priority may be time-dependent, including being indicative of anticipated future activity.

Abstract: Described are techniques for providing hints. Activity data for data portions is received. For each data portion, activity data is aggregated for each of a plurality of time periods and a value for a metric is determined for the data portion in accordance with the aggregated activity data. The values for the metric are ranked. A set of one or more data portions are identified based on the ranked metric values. Hint generation processing is performed to generate a hint for each data portion in said set. The hint may be used in connection with performing data storage movement optimizations to move selected data portions between different storage tiers having different performance classifications. The metric may be determined using one or more criteria including standard deviation, entropy and/or a maximum probability for a time period having the largest portion of I/O wait time for a data portion.