Methods, apparatus and computer programs for scheduling storage requests

摘要

Provided are methods, apparatus arid computer programs for scheduling storage input and/or output (I/O) requests. A method for scheduling storage access requests determines a request processing sequence calculated to maximize SLA-based revenues achievable from processing a number of requests. A storage controller includes a scheduler which implements a revenue-based scheduling function to determine a revenue-maximizing processing sequence, and then assigns storage access requests to locations in a queue corresponding to the determined sequence. In an on-line mode, the scheduler can adapt to additional received requests, evaluating the revenue function for the additional requests and modifying the schedule if required. The method may include analyzing a request stream to predict requests that are likely to be received in the near future, and taking account of the predicted requests when determining a processing schedule.