CA SRM Basic Techniques › Chargeback Query

Chargeback Query

Use the chargeback query in conjunction with the Unicenter Service Accounting. This function enables you to create reports that help you relate the storage resources to their cost through the observation of consumption patterns. You need to have Unicenter Service Accounting r11.1 installed, and you also need to define a BrightStor metric to utilize the CA SRM data produced by this query. The XML file exported by CA SRM needs to match the XSL file that is shipped with Unicenter Service Delivery’s xmlAgent. A BrightStor metric named BrightStor Total File Usage is included with Unicenter Service Accounting.

See the Unicenter Service Accounting documentation on how to define a metric.

To create the query in CA SRM, follow these steps.

1. Access the Query service from the Open Systems file menu by selecting Create Services and then Query. You can also access the service from the Query table.
2. Select the application you want to create a chargeback report for and then select a template:

   

3. Select a selection type and then select the specific objects you want to query:

   

4. Select the execution frequency. The service can operate:
   • Immediately—Collection occurs immediately but only once.
   • Execute once—Collection occurs at a future date but only once. Click the drop-down list to enter the date in the calendar.
   • Execute periodically—Collection occurs at regular intervals. Designate the interval in the Every box. Enter a number then select the frequency:
     • Hours
     • Days
     • Weeks
     • Months
     • Business Days

     If you select Weeks, you can choose a specific day in the On box. The On box is inactive for the other frequencies.

     The Retain Historical Data (Trending) option is only available when you enable periodic execution.

   • Specific Time—Collection occurs at, or as soon as possible after, a specific time of day. If a server is down and CA SRM cannot collect at the specified time, CA SRM collects as soon as it can that day (prior to midnight).

     If you want to collect at a specific time check this box. This only works in conjunction with the Execute once and Execute periodically options. Use the spin box to designate the time of day you want the collection to occur.

   Hold—This option keeps the service available but the service does not run. It remains on hold until you change the option to one of the frequencies listed above. You can use the Hold option for situations where you want to kickoff this service from outside of CA SRM using the command line option. Hold is not available for every service.

5. Enter the xmlAgent path. The query creates the chargeback XML file here:

   

   If CA SRM finds Unicenter Service Accounting on the local machine, CA SRM provides a default directory.

6. The Summary dialog displays the parameters for the service that you have defined. If you want to make changes, click the Back button. If there are no changes, click Launch to name and then execute the service. Click Save to save the service without executing it. CA SRM runs the service according to the configuration shown in this dialog.
7. Enter a name for the query in this dialog. You can also provide an optional description. When you finish, click OK. The service executes or saves depending on what you selected in the previous dialog.

The query creates a file name that looks like this: BS_Chargebackxx.xml. The xx is the object name. So in the preceding example the file name generated by the query is BS_ChargebackOracleDatafiles.xml.