Multi-level parallelism of process execution in a mutual exclusion domain of a processing system

摘要

A technique is described for improving throughput in a processing system, such as a network storage server. The technique provides multiple levels (e.g., a hierarchy) of parallelism of process execution within a single mutual exclusion domain, in a manner which allows certain operations on metadata to be parallelized as well as certain operations on user data. The specific parallelization scheme used in any given embodiment is based at least partly on the underlying metadata structures used by the processing system. Consequently, a high degree of parallelization possible, which improves the throughput of the processing system.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
in a network storage server, creating mutual exclusion domains for execution of processes of the network storage server, the mutual exclusion domains including a first domain; creating a hierarchy of subdomains within the first domain, wherein at least some of the subdomains correspond to one or more types of processes, the hierarchy having a first set of subdomains that are permitted to execute processes in parallel with each other and a second set of subdomains that are precluded from executing processes in parallel with each other; and assigning, to the first set or the second set of subdomains, processes corresponding to the first domain for execution in the network storage server.