2. PERFORMANCE REPORTING ANALYSIS › 2.8 Sysplex Analysis

2.8 Sysplex Analysis

The sysplex analysis (SPA) routines present reports from the
RMF hardware and system control program files of the CA MICS
database to provide a convenient method of tracking the
operation of a sysplex and the underlying coupling facility
linking the various systems together.

IBM's System/390 Parallel Sysplex consists of hardware (the
Coupling Facility) and software (starting with MVS/ESA SP
5.1) combining to provide high performance data sharing and a
single point of control of all systems configured in the
sysplex.

The S/390 Coupling Facility provides services necessary for
multisystem data sharing by authorized systems in a parallel
sysplex.  It does this by handling serialization and buffer
management, caching for shared data, and message queuing.
The result is the appearance of a single system and a single
database in a parallel group.

The modifications to MVS in support of a parallel sysplex
include enhancements that provide more simplified management
of multiple systems, and new functions to support additional
open standards interfaces.  Beyond these changes, many of the
MVS subsystems have also been modified to take advantage of
data sharing and system sharing services, including CICS,
IMS, JES, and OpenEdition/MVS.

Needless to say, the simplified outward appearance of a
sysplex environment is accomplished through very
sophisticated hardware and software operating together to
insure data integrity and reliability.  Because multiple
systems are operating conjunctively, considerable overhead
must be dedicated to communication between systems, and the
handling of virtually any situation that might interfere with
the smooth and efficient processing demanded by today's
information systems organizations.

The goal of the sysplex analysis software is to ensure that
the parallel sysplex is optimally configured, and that
adequate resources have been allocated across the entire
sysplex.  The reports allow you to map the existing
configuration; determine what messaging activity is taking
place between and within individual systems; and to detect
unusual or out of the ordinary conditions that may be
impacting on over-all system throughput and availablity,
including suggestions on the course of action that should be
taken.

Section 2.8.4 defines the terms and explains the basic
dynamics of many of the elements used in sysplex analysis.
Depending on your familiarity with these terms and concepts,
you may find it useful to read this section before proceeding
with Sections 2.8.2 and 2.8.3.

The following sections describe the operation of the sysplex
analysis routines and how to use the reports they produce:

    1 - Functional Description
    2 - Usage Guidelines
    3 - Standard Output
    4 - Parallel Sysplex Concepts
    5 - Component Operation