Database Sensor features and benefits (FF and FP DB Sensors)

DB Sensor offers several unique features that you can use to improve your database monitoring and maintenance tasks.

Provides flexible methods for collecting sensor data
DB Sensor runs as a z/OS® batch job. You can run a DB Sensor job as a stand-alone job, or you can include DB Sensor processing in the jobs of certain tools that are included in IMS Database Solution Pack, IMS Database Utility Solution, and IMS Fast Path Solution Pack. Consequently, you can collect sensor data while running a tool to accomplish a different task.
Supports various types of IMS databases and conditions
DB Sensor supports various types of IMS databases and their conditions:
  • DB Sensor supports the full-function databases including High Availability Large Databases (HALDB) and DEDBs.
  • DB Sensor can process databases whether they are online or offline. DB Sensor can collect the most recent statistics about the databases.
Collects various aspects of database utilization
DB Sensor scans a database, analyzes the state of database space utilization, and collects statistics. DB Sensor calculates data element values from the statistics and stores them in the IMS Tools Knowledge Base Sensor Data repository as sensor data.
The data elements represent the following aspects of database and they can be used to determine whether you need to reorganize or re-create the database:
  • Root segments distribution and synonyms
  • Database records
  • IMS segment occurrence and free space
  • IMS segments fragmentation (split segments)
  • Estimated I/O occurrences
  • Usage of overflow area
  • Usage of DEDB IOVF and DOVF
  • Usage of DEDB SDEP
  • DEDB UOW distribution
  • Data set space information (for example, used space compared to allowable size, data set size, free space, extensions, and CI and CA splits)
  • DEDB definition information
Prints sensor data
When DB Sensor stores the sensor data in the Sensor Data repository, it prints the data element values in the Sensor Data Statistics report. This report can be stored in the Output repository of IMS Tools Knowledge Base. You can use this report to determine the state of database immediately after you run DB Sensor or at a later time for historical analysis.
Integrates with IMS Tools Base components and common tools
DB Sensor integrates with the capabilities provided by IMS Tools Base and Management Console.
  • When Policy Services evaluates the sensor data, you can receive notifications and recommendations from Policy Services if one or more data element values exceed the threshold values. The policy evaluation of Policy Services can be invoked through Autonomics Director and IMS Database Reorganization Expert.
  • You can analyze the sensor data by viewing the charts that are provided by Management Console. Sensor data that is displayed in graphical form helps you to identify and predict trends based on database statistics.
  • Stand-alone DB Sensor and Integrated DB Sensor jobs (runs within IMS HP Image Copy, IMS HP Pointer Checker, and IMS HP Fast Path Utilities jobs) can be submitted automatically by Autonomics Director.
  • When DB Sensor stores sensor data in the Sensor Data repository, it sends a notification to Autonomics Director. You can set Autonomics Director to automatically start evaluating policies by calling Policy Services upon receiving the notification.