2. PERFORMANCE REPORTING ANALYSIS › 2.8 Sysplex Analysis › 2.8.1 Functional Description

2.8.1 Functional Description

The sysplex analysis portion of the CA MICS Performance
Manager Option provides both software and a methodology to
evaluate the operation of a parallel sysplex.  The software
consists of reports and tables to measure the interactivity
between members, resource utilization on the Coupling
Facility, and potential performance problems and bottlenecks.

Explanations of the terms used below in describing these
reports and tables are presented in Section 2.8.4. A
description of the controls available and how to evaluate the
effect of those controls on the various components of the
sysplex is given in the standard output and the parallel
sysplex concepts sections (see Sections 2.8.3 and 2.8.4).

The range of data that can be reported from a particular
CA MICS database depends on the timespans that were defined
for these files and the number of cycles defined in each
timespan.   If you are not familiar with the generation
options for the database unit containing the MVS SCP
Information Area, ask your CA MICS System Administrator for
this information.

Five basic reports are available.  Each report can be
tailored during online definition to display data at various
timespans and summarization patterns (reporting by zone,
hour, or day, etc.).  The reports produced are:

  o  Sysplex Configuration Map - Reports that XCF members
     are signaling other members.  Both total signals and
     signaling raters are reported, as well as indicators of
     externally (operations) induced alterations to the
     sysplex environment such as member activations and
     deactivations, and resetting of the counters maintained
     by the system during the interval covered by the report.
     The report is designed to aid in understanding how the
     sysplex is structured, and to help in planning for an
     optimal configuration.

  o  Sysplex XCF Member Profile - Provides a detailed report
     on the activity for a specific XCF Member.  The report
     shows, by the selected time interval, both environmental
     factors guiding member behavior (activations,
     deactivations, etc.), and utilization measures
     addressing signaling activity both for the selected
     member and the whole sysplex.  The members relative
     contribution to overall signaling activity is also
     presented.  The report helps with determining activity
     patterns within specific members, and how those patterns
     may be contributing to overall sysplex performance.

  o  Sysplex Performance Exceptions Report - Reports on
     unusual or out of the ordinary conditions that may
     represent a performance problem for the sysplex.
     Information reported includes the interval and duration
     during which the exception(s) was/were detected, the
     number of occurrences and an explanation or recommended
     course of action for addressing the exception.

  o  Sysplex XCF Channel Activity Report - Displays the
     channel activity associated with the Coupling Facility.
     This report shows, by the selected time interval, key
     measures of request activity on the channel subsystem,
     including rate of activity, number of unsuccessful
     requests, and average service time.  Additionally,
     average path and subchannel availability and usage is
     reported.  The report can be used to track subsystem
     resource utilization, and can help with determining when
     increased capacity may be needed.

  o  Coupling Facility Configuration Report - This report
     provides a table depicting interval by interval Coupling
     Facility CPU activity and configuration changes.
     Average and maximum percent utilization of the Coupling
     Facility is reported, as is the amount of storage
     allocated and used by the defined structures.  The
     report provides feedback to help with tuning the
     Coupling Facility.