Adaptive query parallelization in multi-core column stores

With the rise of multi-core CPU platforms, their optimal utilization for in-memory OLAP workloads using column store databases has become one of the biggest challenges. Some of the inherent limi- tations in the achievable query parallelism are due to the degree of parallelism dependency on the data skew, the overheads incurred by thread coordination, and the hardware resource limits. Finding the right balance between the degree of parallelism and the multi-core utilizati

A mathematical formulation of the loop pipelining problem

This paper presents a mathematical model for the loop pipelining problem that considers several parameters for optimization and supports any combination of resource and timing constraints. The unrolling degree of the loop is one of the variables explored by the model. By using Farey’s series, an optimal exploration of the unrolling degree is performed and optimal solutions not considered by other methods are obtained. Finding an optimal schedule that minimizes resource and register requirements is solved by using an Integer linear programming (ILP) model. A novel paradigm called branch and prune is proposed to eficiently converge towards the optimal schedule and prune the search tree for integer solutions, thus drastically reducing the running time. This is the first formulation that combines the unrolling degree of the loop with timing and resource constraints in a mathematical model that guarantees optimal solutions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

A Classification of Skew Effects in Parallel Database Systems

Skew effects are a serious problem in parallel database systems, but the relationship between different skew types and load balancing methods is still not fully understood. We develop and compare two classifications of skew effects and load balancing strategies, respectively, to match their relevant properties. Our conclusions highlight the importance of highly dynamic scheduling to optimize both the complexity and the success of load balancing. We also suggest the tuning of database schemata as a new anti-skew measure

Thinking Big in a Small World — Efficient Query Execution on Small-Scale SMPs

Many techniques developed for parallel database systems were focused on large-scale, often prototypical, hardware platforms. Therefore, most results cannot easily be transfered to widely available workstation clusters such as multiprocessor workstations. In this paper we address exploitation of pipelining parallelism in query processing on small multiprocessor environments. We present DTE/R, a strategy for executing pipelining segments of arbitrary length by replicating the segment's operator. Therefore, DTE/R avoids static processor-to-operator assignment of conventional processing techniques. Consequently, DTE/R achieves automatic load-balancing and skew-handling. Furthermore, DTE/R outperforms conventional pipelining execution techniques substantially

Efficient resource utilization in shared-everything environments

Efficient resource usage is a key to achieve better performance in parallel database systems. Up to now, most research has focussed on balancing the load on several resources of the same type, i.e. balancing either CPU load or I/O load. In this paper, we present emph{floating probe, a strategy for parallel evaluation of pipelining segments in a shared-everything environment that provides dynamic load balancing between CPU- and I/O-resources. The key idea of floating probe is to overlap---as much as possible with respect to data dependencies---I/O-bound build phase and CPU-bound probe phase of pipelining segments to improve resource utilization. Simulation results show, that floating probe achieves shorter execution times while consuming less memory than conventional pipelining strategies

Skew-Insensitive Join Processing in Shared-Disk Database Systems

Skew effects are still a significant problem for efficient query processing in parallel database systems. Especially in shared-nothing environments, this problem is aggravated by the substantial cost of data redistribution. Shared-disk systems, on the other hand, promise much higher flexibility in the distribution of workload among processing nodes because all input data can be accessed by any node at equal cost. In order to verify this potential for dynamic load balancing, we have devised a new technique for skew-tolerant join processing. In contrast to conventional solutions, our algorithm is not restricted to estimating processing costs in advance and assigning tasks to nodes accordingly. Instead, it monitors the actual progression of work and dynamically allocates tasks to processors, thus capitalizing on the uniform access pathlength in shared-disk architectures. This approach has the potential to alleviate not only any kind of data-inherent skew, but also execution skew caused by query- external workloads, by disk contention, or simply by inaccurate estimates used in predictive scheduling. We employ a detailed simulation system to evaluate the new algorithm under different types and degrees of skew

Controlling Disk Contention for Parallel Query Processing in Shared Disk Database Systems

Shared Disk database systems offer a high flexibility for parallel transaction and query processing. This is because each node can process any transaction, query or subquery because it has access to the entire database. Compared to Shared Nothing, this is particularly advantageous for scan queries for which the degree of intra-query parallelism as well as the scan processors themselves can dynamically be chosen. On the other hand, there is the danger of disk contention between subqueries, in particular for index scans. We present a detailed simulation study to analyze the effectiveness of parallel scan processing in Shared Disk database systems. In particular, we investigate the relationship between the degree of declustering and the degree of scan parallelism for relation scans, clustered index scans, and non-clustered index scans. Furthermore, we study the usefulness of disk caches and prefetching for limiting disk contention. Finally, we show the importance of dynamically choosing the degree of scan parallelism to control disk contention in multi-user mode

Disk Scheduling for Intermediate Results of Large Join Queries in Shared-Disk Parallel Database Systems

In shared-disk database systems, disk access has to be scheduled properly to avoid unnecessary contention between processors. The first part of this report studies the allocation of intermediate results of join queries (buckets) on disk and derives heuristics to determine the number of processing nodes and disks to employ. Using an analytical model, we show that declustering should be applied even for single buckets to ensure optimal performance. In the second part, we consider the order of reading the buckets and demonstrate the necessity of highly dynamic load balancing to prevent excessive disk contention, especially under skew conditions