Profiling Platform Storage Using IO500 and Mistral

Abstract

This paper explores how we used IO500 and the Mistral tool from Ellexus to observe detailed performance characteristics to inform tuning IO performance on Astra, a ARM-based Sandia machine with an all flash, Lustre-based storage array. Through this case study, we demonstrate that IO500 serves as a meaningful storage benchmark, even for all flash storage. We also demonstrate that using fine-grained profiling tools, such as Mistral, is essential for revealing tuning requirement details. Overall, this paper demonstrates the value of a broad spectrum benchmark, like IO500, together with a fine grained performance analysis tool, such as Mistral, for understanding detailed storage system performance for better informed tuning.