Prevent Availability Risks and Optimize Db2 Performance

    The volume and complexity of Db2 Statistics data and Db2 Accounting data creates a major challenge for analysts who want to derive value from the rich metrics available.

    Easy visibility into key Db2 metrics through SMF records is crucial to proactively prevent availability risks and to effectively manage and optimize performance.

            
        

            
        

    Analyze and Optimize Db2 Performance with Built-In Health Insights and AI

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    Proactively Analyze and Prevent Risks

    Utilize built-in health insights and artificial intelligence to proactively identify risks, ensure availability, and optimize your Db2 environment. 

            
        

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    Save Time and Quickly Resolve Issues

    Quickly spot and resolve issues using thousands of out-of-the-box reports, built-in live edit, compare, share, and drill down features. 

            
        

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    Expedite Learning and Enhance Domain Expertise

    Detailed built-in explanations, guided drilldown options, and end-to-end z/OS support facilitates easy system understanding and knowledge transfer. 

            
        

    Comprehensive Solutions to Your Db2 Performance Management Issues

    Quickly Troubleshoot Db2 Performance Issues

    Reduce Mean Time To Resolution for unpredictable problems.

    Key Features

    Automated alerts and intuitive drill downs ensure that when performance or availability issues occur, the root cause is quickly identified and resolved before end-users are impacted or resources wasted.
    Discover potential issues before they occur with automated site assessments and easily resolve them

    Tune and Optimize Db2 Performance

    Tune and optimize your Db2 performance for maximum efficiency.

    Key Features

    Built-in AI-based health and performance insights and recommendations guide you towards sub-optimal areas impacting performance and availability and provide an intuitive and easy way to resolve and optimize your Db2 environment.
    Comprehensive pre-built reports provide day-one access to tuning recommendations and overall site health.

    Extensive Report-Customization and Integrations

    Easily integrate data from different sources and customize reports.

    Key Features

    Integrating data, such as from CICS, IFCID 199, or other SMF sources provides insights Db2 data alone cannot. Utilize built-in report customization and data integrations to take full control of your data and provide answers to any of your questions.
    Edit, expand, and customize reports with built-in options to add sources, hone in on specific data, view data in different ways, and more.

    Identify Db2 Performance Trends and Anomalies

    Gain elevated insights and predictability with trending and anomaly detection.

    Key Features

    AI-based anomaly detection alerts you to significant changes based on your specific baselines so issues that cannot be detected due to normal performance constraints are immediately found.
    Trending and compare features provide critical before/after views and help you understand performance and resource utilization trends of your Db2 servers.

    Built-In Intelligence at Your Fingertips

    Health Insights Assessments – Enterprise-wide

    Best Practice Db2 Compliance Ratings

    Automated assessments of 80+ metrics for every Db2 member and buffer pool in your environment help identify potential risks to availability and performance.

    In this example with key Buffer Pool metrics, exceptions relating to hit ratios and page residency times are identified for every data sharing group and presented in a single easily consumable view.

    Health Insights Assessments – Focused Views

    Numerous drilldowns are available to move from a high-level enterprise-wide view into focused analysis to help identify actionable insights for specific Db2 members, buffer pools, etc. The following image captures the outcome of two such drilldown steps, initially “Pool by Size” (not shown, indicating these exceptions are occurring in buffer pools belonging to the set of 4K buffers) and then by “Buffer Pool” to isolate the exceptions to specific buffer pools (shown here).

    Health Insights Assessments – Time Charts

    Health Insights Assessments – Time Charts

    At any phase of the analytical process “Time Charts” of all assessed metrics can be generated to examine potential high-level relationships between the metrics. In this example, possible time-of-day correlations between the two metrics with exceptions (with the orange and red borders) and overall getpage activity (in the first chart) can be evaluated, and any specific metric can be selected for more detailed analysis.

    Extensive Visibility into Buffer Pool and I/O Metrics

    Buffer Pool and I/O Metrics Extensive Visibility

    Since Db2 relies on having needed data residing in a buffer to avoid I/Os that are synchronous with the unit of work (“random sync read I/Os”), extensive visibility into buffer pool and I/O metrics is crucial for Db2 performance tuning.

    Seamlessly Integrate Statistics and Accounting Data

    Seamlessly Integrate Statistics and Accounting Data

    Context-sensitive drilldowns are especially powerful when working with large quantities of data, enabling you to zero in on the subset of data pertinent to the specific type of analysis currently being performed. As one example, industry Db2 performance experts frequently suggest analyses focused by connection type, since online work (e.g., coming into Db2 from CICS) typically has a very different profile from batch work (e.g., coming in through IMS batch BMPs).

    In this example, a drilldown seamlessly integrates connection type (from Accounting data) with sync read I/Os (from Statistics data) to create this time of day profile.

    Integrated Visibility into Db2 I/O Statistics by Buffer Pool and Database

    Integrate SMF 42 Records with IFCID 199

    Powerful insights into disk I/O and cache performance by Db2 buffer pool and database can be facilitated by integrating data set I/O performance data (from SMF 42 records) with Db2 dataset I/O statistics (IFCID 199) data.

    Metrics including disk response time by components (IOSQ, Pend, Disc, Conn) and disk cache hits and misses are presented, by Db2 buffer pool (along the top row) and database (along the bottom). And any of these can be selected for more detailed analysis, leveraging numerous drill-downs.

    Visibility into Db2 Elapsed Time Profiles

    Combine Different Db2 Accounting Data Profiles

    In Db2 accounting data, combining “class 2” (CPU) and “class 3” (wait) times provides an elapsed time profile of time spent within Db2.

    Here we see such a profile for work coming from CICS, showing that database sync I/O time (in yellow), CPU time (in red), and Global Contention for L-Locks (gray) are the primary contributors to elapsed time.

    Drilldowns by CICS Transaction ID

    Drilldown by Correlation Name for Work Coming into CICS from Db2

    For work coming into CICS from Db2, we can take advantage of the fact that the calling transaction ID is included in the correlation name field found in the Db2 accounting data to facilitate numerous types of analyses by CICS transaction. This example presents a view of Db2 elapsed time profiles by CICS transaction.

    Integration and Visual Comparison of CICS and Db2 SMF Data

    Visual Comparisons Between CICS and Db2 Data

    Also capitalizing on the presence of the CICS transaction ID in the Db2 correlation name field, additional integration of the measurement data produced by the two subsystems is provided. In this example, CICS SMF 110.1 transaction data (on the top row) is combined with Db2 SMF 101 accounting data (on the bottom row). This facilitates visual comparisons between the two data sources of activity rates, CPU, response/elapsed times, and activity rates by CICS region/Db2 member.

    AIOps via SaaS Delivery

    Cloud Software as a Service (SaaS) icon

    Advantages to adopting a cloud model include rapid implementation (no lead time to install and setup the product locally), minimal setup (only for transmitting SMF data), offloading staff resources required to deal with SMF processing issues or to install product maintenance, and easy access to IntelliMagic consulting services to supplement local skills.

    Health Insights Assessments – Enterprise-wide

    Best Practice Db2 Compliance Ratings

    Automated assessments of 80+ metrics for every Db2 member and buffer pool in your environment help identify potential risks to availability and performance.

    In this example with key Buffer Pool metrics, exceptions relating to hit ratios and page residency times are identified for every data sharing group and presented in a single easily consumable view.

    Health Insights Assessments – Focused Views

    Numerous drilldowns are available to move from a high-level enterprise-wide view into focused analysis to help identify actionable insights for specific Db2 members, buffer pools, etc. The following image captures the outcome of two such drilldown steps, initially “Pool by Size” (not shown, indicating these exceptions are occurring in buffer pools belonging to the set of 4K buffers) and then by “Buffer Pool” to isolate the exceptions to specific buffer pools (shown here).

    Health Insights Assessments – Time Charts

    Health Insights Assessments – Time Charts

    At any phase of the analytical process “Time Charts” of all assessed metrics can be generated to examine potential high-level relationships between the metrics. In this example, possible time-of-day correlations between the two metrics with exceptions (with the orange and red borders) and overall getpage activity (in the first chart) can be evaluated, and any specific metric can be selected for more detailed analysis.

    Extensive Visibility into Buffer Pool and I/O Metrics

    Buffer Pool and I/O Metrics Extensive Visibility

    Since Db2 relies on having needed data residing in a buffer to avoid I/Os that are synchronous with the unit of work (“random sync read I/Os”), extensive visibility into buffer pool and I/O metrics is crucial for Db2 performance tuning.

    Seamlessly Integrate Statistics and Accounting Data

    Seamlessly Integrate Statistics and Accounting Data

    Context-sensitive drilldowns are especially powerful when working with large quantities of data, enabling you to zero in on the subset of data pertinent to the specific type of analysis currently being performed. As one example, industry Db2 performance experts frequently suggest analyses focused by connection type, since online work (e.g., coming into Db2 from CICS) typically has a very different profile from batch work (e.g., coming in through IMS batch BMPs).

    In this example, a drilldown seamlessly integrates connection type (from Accounting data) with sync read I/Os (from Statistics data) to create this time of day profile.

    Integrated Visibility into Db2 I/O Statistics by Buffer Pool and Database

    Integrate SMF 42 Records with IFCID 199

    Powerful insights into disk I/O and cache performance by Db2 buffer pool and database can be facilitated by integrating data set I/O performance data (from SMF 42 records) with Db2 dataset I/O statistics (IFCID 199) data.

    Metrics including disk response time by components (IOSQ, Pend, Disc, Conn) and disk cache hits and misses are presented, by Db2 buffer pool (along the top row) and database (along the bottom). And any of these can be selected for more detailed analysis, leveraging numerous drill-downs.

    Visibility into Db2 Elapsed Time Profiles

    Combine Different Db2 Accounting Data Profiles

    In Db2 accounting data, combining “class 2” (CPU) and “class 3” (wait) times provides an elapsed time profile of time spent within Db2.

    Here we see such a profile for work coming from CICS, showing that database sync I/O time (in yellow), CPU time (in red), and Global Contention for L-Locks (gray) are the primary contributors to elapsed time.

    Drilldowns by CICS Transaction ID

    Drilldown by Correlation Name for Work Coming into CICS from Db2

    For work coming into CICS from Db2, we can take advantage of the fact that the calling transaction ID is included in the correlation name field found in the Db2 accounting data to facilitate numerous types of analyses by CICS transaction. This example presents a view of Db2 elapsed time profiles by CICS transaction.

    Integration and Visual Comparison of CICS and Db2 SMF Data

    Visual Comparisons Between CICS and Db2 Data

    Also capitalizing on the presence of the CICS transaction ID in the Db2 correlation name field, additional integration of the measurement data produced by the two subsystems is provided. In this example, CICS SMF 110.1 transaction data (on the top row) is combined with Db2 SMF 101 accounting data (on the bottom row). This facilitates visual comparisons between the two data sources of activity rates, CPU, response/elapsed times, and activity rates by CICS region/Db2 member.

    AIOps via SaaS Delivery

    Cloud Software as a Service (SaaS) icon

    Advantages to adopting a cloud model include rapid implementation (no lead time to install and setup the product locally), minimal setup (only for transmitting SMF data), offloading staff resources required to deal with SMF processing issues or to install product maintenance, and easy access to IntelliMagic consulting services to supplement local skills.

    See Why IntelliMagic is Trusted by Some of the World’s Largest Mainframe Sites

    IntelliMagic [Vision for z/OS] does a great job of collecting and reporting on z/OS performance. We could not do without it when bringing in new hardware and needing to look at current performance to determine future needs
    Anonymous-02 | Banking Company
    Read our case
    The ability to dive deep into the graphs is something that is provided only by IntelliMagic, no other monitoring software, real-time or not, has that ability.
    James Schlosser | Northwestern Mutual
    Read our case
    It saves us a lot of work in collecting and editing metadata about our storage environment.
    Paul van Velsen | Dutch IRS
    Read our case
    The Health Insight reports are great for helping me quickly hone in on aspects of system performance that require further investigation, without having to browse through hundreds of reports that simply report that everything is 'normal'
    Frank Kyne | Watson & Walker
    Read our case
    We started with a test installation of the DASD analyses and then decided to use them. Then we gradually expanded the functions (system, CF, XCF, MQ, TCP/IP and tape). This year Db2 was added and we have replaced and optimized SAS programs with IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS.
    Walter Auerochs | DATEV
    Read our case
    IntelliMagic is used by our systems programmers, capacity and performance engineers, DB2 systems programmers, CICS/MQ technicians, and Storage Management (disk and tape) engineers in our mainframe infrastructure teams
    Anonymous-04 | Insurance Company
    Read our case

    Book a Demo or Connect With an Expert

    Discuss your technical or sales-related questions with our mainframe experts today

    End-to-End Infrastructure Analytics for z/OS Performance Management

    zSystems Performance Management

    Optimize z/OS Mainframe Systems Management with Availability Intelligence

    Benefits

    Optimize z/OS Systems performance management using AI-driven analytics to proactively monitor and manage your z/OS environment, prevent disruptions, reduce costs, and preserve the reliability and availability that mainframes are known for.
    Explore z/OS Systems Performance Analytics

    Db2 Performance Management

    Prevent Availability Risks and Optimize Db2 Performance

    Benefits

    The volume and complexity of Db2 Statistics data and Db2 Accounting data creates a major challenge for analysts who want to derive value from the rich metrics available.
    Easy visibility into key Db2 metrics through SMF records is crucial to proactively prevent availability risks and to effectively manage and optimize performance.
    Explore Db2 Performance Analytics

    CICS Performance Management

    Monitor and Profile CICS Transactions and Regions with IBM Z IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS

    Benefits

    CICS SMF Transaction data is a rich source of performance insights, but its volume can make analysis challenging using traditional approaches that rely on static reports. Proactive assessment of key Statistics metrics across all regions is essential to identify potential risks to availability.
    IBM Z IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS enables performance analysts to manage and optimize their z/OS CICS transactions more effectively and efficiently, as well as proactively assess the health of their CICS regions.
    Explore CICS Performance Analytics

    Virtual Tape Performance Management

    Proactively Manage Virtual and Physical Tape Environments

    Benefits

    With tape virtualization, tape storage became easier and more economical, but at the same time, more difficult to understand which changes or hardware upgrades are the best choices. With tape libraries being shared across multiple z/OS images, the full picture can only be obtained by aggregating workload and tape hardware information from all z/OS LPARs.
    IBM Z IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS enables performance analysts to manage and optimize their z/OS Virtual Tape environments more effectively and efficiently.
    Explore Tape Performance Analytics

    Disk & Replication Performance Management

    Automatically Detect Disk Performance Risks & Quickly Resolve Issues

    Benefits

    As Disk speeds and throughputs have increased, z/OS applications have come to rely on fast and consistent storage performance. To respond quickly to unexpected disk and replication issues, it is essential that you have insight into the health of the various components in your storage environment.
    IBM Z IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS enables performance analysts to manage and optimize their z/OS Disk and Replication environment more effectively and efficiently.
    Explore Disk Performance Analytics

    MQ Performance Management

    Optimize and Analyze MQ Activity and Performance

    Benefits

    MQ is widely used across z/OS environments, but sites often find it challenging to derive the valuable performance insights potentially available from MQ SMF Statistics and Accounting data due to limitations in existing reporting and available tooling.
    IBM Z IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS enables performance analysts to manage and optimize their z/OS MQ configurations and activity more effectively and efficiently, as well as proactively assess the health of their queue managers.
    Explore MQ Performance Analytics

    z/OS Network Performance Management

    Automatically Monitor Mainframe Network Security and Protect Your Data

    Benefits

    TCP/IP is the core of the communication for the z/OS mainframe, both for traffic into and out of the mainframe and internal communication among z/OS images and processor complexes. Proper management is necessary to secure and protect system availability.
    IBM Z IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS automatically generates GUI-based, interactive, IBM best-practice compliant rated reports that proactively identify areas that indicate potential upcoming risk to TCP/IP health, performance, and security.
    Explore z/OS Network Performance Analytics

    z/OS Connect: Modern Mainframe API Environment

    Optimizing Mainframe API Monitoring for Improved Resource Management

    Benefits

    IBM Z IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS enhances mainframe API monitoring and profiling, providing crucial visibility to address issues at the API or service level, ultimately aiding performance analysts in better resource planning and management reporting.
    Explore z/OS Connect Analytics

    Flexible Deployment and Monitoring

    In the Cloud

    Cloud based deployment can be accessed from everywhere in the world and is easy to share with colleagues

    Services & Support

    Take advantage of IntelliMagic's experienced performance experts for standalone custom services or daily monitoring

    On Premise

    Install the software on premise and use it offline for total control of your installation

    Monitor Db2 Performance and Proactively Prevent Availability Risks

    The volume and complexity of Db2 Statistics data (SMF 100) and Db2 Accounting data (SMF 101) data creates a major challenge for analysts who want to derive value from the rich metrics available there. Easy visibility into key Db2 metrics through SMF records is crucial to proactively prevent availability risks and to effectively manage and optimize performance.

    IBM Z IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS automatically assesses every Db2 member (and even every buffer pool when applicable) to proactively identify potential availability risks in your environment and direct you to important issues that may warrant your attention.

    In addition, the intuitive user interface and dynamic context-sensitive drilldowns available throughout IBM Z IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS facilitate types of analysis that are not feasible with static reporting solutions, enabling you to:

    • Immediately drilldown on a specific subset of data based on observations from the current view
    • Pursue one line of analysis, and if that ends up being unfruitful, quickly pursue another hypothesis with minimal wasted time and effort
    • Seamlessly navigate to focus your analysis in a manner that insulates you from the fact you are dealing with massive quantities of underlying SMF data

    IBM Z IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS offers you the out-of-the-box visibility and intuitive navigation to manage every component of your z Systems infrastructure under a single solution, facilitating collaboration across teams that have historically been isolated by siloed tool sets.

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