A data management and archive method and apparatus, such as for implementation
in an automated system to monitor and manage status, performance and configuration
data for a plurality of networked storage components. Analysis and cross-correlation
of data related to the plurality of storage components can be done individually,
collectively and/or comparatively. A collection manager component of a workload
analyzer is implemented to start and stop data collection in the context of a system
comprising at least one storage component (or at least two networked storage components).
The collection manager includes a command and control module that coordinates requests
of data from at least one collection agent configured on at least one host connected
to the storage component(s).
