System for optimally storing a data file for enhanced query processing

Claim 2

In a data processing system having an instruction processor for performing a query against a database data file and a plurality of disks coupled to the data processing system and accessible to the instruction processor, a computer implemented method for automatically establishing storage for the data file for enhanced query processing performance, comprising the steps of: obtaining a predetermined data rate, quantified as a predetermined unit of data per predetermined unit of time, at which an instruction processor is capable of processing a query against the database; selecting a set of disks from the plurality of disks that are accessible to the instruction processor and that have a combined data transfer rate to the instruction processor that is greater than or equal to said data rate; and allocating storage for the data file on said set of disks.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein said allocating step includes the steps of: dividing said data file into a plurality of portions; and allocating contiguous storage on each of said set of disks for a respective one of said plurality of portions.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2, further including the steps of: dividing one portion of said plurality portions into subportions if contiguous space is not available for said one portion on a respective disk; and allocating contiguous storage for said one portion on said respective disk.

Claim 5

In a data processing system having a plurality of instruction processors for performing a query against a database data file and a plurality of disks coupled to the data processing system and accessible to each of the instruction processors, a computer implemented method for automatically establishing storage for the data file for enhanced query processing performance, comprising the steps of: obtaining a predetermined data rate, quantified as a predetermined unit of data per predetermined unit of time, at which a single instruction processor is capable of processing a query against the data file; obtaining a count of the plurality of instruction processors available to process a query; determining a total data rate that is required to keep the plurality of instruction processors busy; selecting a set of disks from the plurality of disks that are accessible to each of the instruction processors and that have a combined data transfer rate to the plurality of instruction processors that is greater than or equal to said total data rate; and allocating storage for the data file on said set of disks.

Claim 6

In a data processing system having a plurality of instruction processors for performing a query against a database data file and a plurality of disks coupled to the data processing system and accessible to each of the instruction processors, a computer implemented method for automatically establishing storage for the data file for enhanced query processing performance, comprising the steps of: obtaining a predetermined data rate, quantified as a predetermined unit of data per predetermined unit of time, at which a single instruction processor is capable of processing a query against the data file; obtaining a count of the plurality of instruction processors available to process a query; determining a total data rate that is required to keep the plurality of instruction processors busy; selecting a set of disks from the plurality of disks that are accessible to each of the instruction processors and that have a combined data transfer rate to the plurality of instruction processors that is greater than or equal to said total data rate; and allocating storage for the data file on said set of disks.

Claim 7

The method of claim 4, wherein said allocating step includes the steps of: dividing said data file into a plurality of portions; and allocating contiguous storage on each of said set of disks for a respective one of said plurality of portions.

Claim 8

The method of claim 5, further including the steps of: dividing one portion of said plurality portions into subportions if contiguous space is not available for said one portion on a respective disk; and allocating contiguous storage for said one portion on said respective disk.

Claim 9

In a data processing system having an instruction processor for performing a query against a database data file, and a plurality of disks coupled to the data processing system via a plurality of control units, wherein the plurality of disks are accessible to the instruction processor, a computer implemented method for automatically allocating storage of the data file for enhanced query processing performance, comprising the steps of: obtaining a record size of a record in the database; obtaining a record count of records in the database; obtaining a predetermined data rate, quantified as a predetermined unit of data per predetermined unit of time, at which an instruction processor is capable of processing a query against the database; obtaining disk data transfer rates for the plurality of disks; selecting a set of disks from said plurality of disks that are accessible to the instruction processor and that have a combined data transfer rate to the instruction processor that is greater than or equal to said data processing rate, wherein each of said set of disks is coupled to a distinct one of said plurality of control units; and allocating storage for the data file on said set of disks.

Claim 10

In a data processing system having an instruction processor for performing a query against a database data file, and a plurality of disks coupled to the data processing system via a plurality of control units, wherein the plurality of disks are accessible to the instruction processor, a computer implemented method for automatically allocating storage of the data file for enhanced query processing performance, comprising the steps of: obtaining a record size of a record in the database; obtaining a record count of records in the database; obtaining a predetermined data rate, quantified as a predetermined unit of data per predetermined unit of time, at which an instruction processor is capable of processing a query against the database; obtaining disk data transfer rates for the plurality of disks; selecting a set of disks from said plurality of disks that are accessible to the instruction processor and that have a combined data transfer rate to the instruction processor that is greater than or equal to said data processing rate, wherein each of said set of disks is coupled to a distinct one of said plurality of control units; and allocating storage for the data file on said set of disks.

Claim 11

The method of claim 7, wherein said allocating step includes the steps of: dividing said data file into a plurality of portions; and allocating contiguous storage on each of said set of disks for a respective one of said plurality of portions.

Claim 12

The method of claim 8, further including the steps of: dividing one portion of said plurality portions into subportions if contiguous space is not available for said one portion on a respective disk; and allocating contiguous storage for said one portion on said respective disk.

Claim 15

In a data processing system having an instruction processor for performing a query against a database data file and a plurality of disks coupled to the data processing system, a computer implemented method for automatically establishing storage for the data file for enhanced query processing performance in response to a request for data file establishment, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a predetermined data rate, quantified as a predetermined unit of data per predetermined unit of time, at which the instruction processor is capable of processing a query against the database; selecting a set of disks from the plurality of disks, wherein said set of disks together are capable of transmitting data to the instruction processor at a rate that is approximately equal to said data rate; and allocating storage for the data file on said set of disks.

Claim 16

In a data processing system having an instruction processor for performing a query against a database data file and a plurality of disks coupled to the data processing system, a computer implemented method for automatically establishing storage for the data file for enhanced query processing performance in response to a request for data file establishment, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a predetermined data rate, quantified as a predetermined unit of data per predetermined unit of time, at which the instruction processor is capable of processing a query against the database; selecting a set of disks from the plurality of disks, wherein said set of disks together are capable of transmitting data to the instruction processor at a rate that is approximately equal to said data rate; and allocating storage for the data file on said set of disks.

Claim 17

The method of claim 11, wherein said allocating step includes the steps of: dividing said data file into a plurality of portions; and allocating contiguous storage on each of said set of disks for a respective one of said plurality of portions.

Claim 18

The method of claim 12, further including the steps of: dividing one portion of said plurality portions into subportions if contiguous space is not available for said one portion on a respective disk; and allocating contiguous storage for said one portion on said respective disk.