The Host Environment

Module 2.1

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The Host Environment
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
 List the hardware and software components of the host
environment
 Describe key protocols and concepts used by each
component

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Examples of Hosts

Server
Laptop

Group of Servers

Mainframe

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Host Physical Components

Bus
CPU Storage

I/O Devices

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CPU

Bus
ALU L1 Cache

Bus

Registers
CPU

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Storage

n
…
Data n

3 Data 3
Disk
2 Data 2
1 Data 1
0 Data 0
Address Content

Memory

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Storage Hierarchy – Speed and Cost

Fast CPU registers

L1 cache
L2 cache

Speed Magnetic RAM

disk

Optical
Tape
disk
Slow
Low High
Cost
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I/O Devices
 Human interface
– Keyboard
– Mouse
– Monitor

 Computer-computer interface
– Network Interface Card (NIC)

 Computer-peripheral interface
– USB (Universal Serial Bus) port
– Host Bus Adapter (HBA)

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Host Environment: Logical Components
Host

Apps

Operating System

DBMS Mgmt Utilities

File System

Volume Management

Multi-pathing Software
Device Drivers
HBA HBA HBA

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File Systems
Host

Apps

Operating System

DBMS Mgmt Utilities

File System

Volume Management

Multi-pathing Software
Device Drivers
HBA HBA HBA

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File System: Metadata Examples
UNIX (UFS) Windows (NTFS)
 File type and permissions  Time stamp and link count
 Number of links  File name
 Owner and group IDs  Access rights
 Number of bytes in the file  File data
 Last file access  Index information
 Last file modification  Volume information

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File Systems: Journaling and Logging
 Improves data integrity and system restart time over
non-journaling file systems.
 Uses a separate area called a log or journal.
– May hold all data to be written
– May hold only metadata

 Disadvantage - slower than other file systems.

– Each file system update requires at least 1 extra write – to the log

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Volume Management
Host

Apps

Operating System

DBMS Mgmt Utilities

File System

Volume Management

Multi-pathing Software
Device Drivers
HBA HBA HBA

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HBAs
Host

Apps

Operating System

DBMS Mgmt Utilities

File System

Volume Management

Multi-pathing Software
Device Drivers
HBA HBA HBA

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Improving Data Availability at the Host
Redundancy:
 Multiple HBAs
 Multi-pathing software
 Clustering

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How Files are Moved to and from Storage
Teacher Course File(s) File System Files File System Blocks

Configures / Reside Mapped by

Manages in file system to

Disk Sectors Disk Physical LVM Logical

Extents Extents

Managed by Consisting Mapped by Residing

Disk Storage of LVM to in
Subsystem

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Module Summary
Key points covered in this module:
 Hosts typically have:
– Hardware: CPU, memory, buses, disks, ports, and interfaces.
– Software: applications, operating systems, file systems, device
drivers, volume managers

 HBAs connect hosts to storage devices.

 Multi-pathing software uses redundant paths to ensure
uninterrupted communication between the host and the
storage
 Clustering uses redundant host systems to improve data
availability
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 Check Your Knowledge
 What are some examples of hosts?
 Describe the hardware components found in most hosts.
 What is the function of the operating system?
 What is the function of the file system?
 What are some techniques that can be used to improve
availability at the host?
 What is volume management?

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