What's new in IBM i 7.2

Learn what is new or changed in the performance topic this release.

Collection Services

  • A new data collection category named *SQL is now available. This category supports data collection for the SQL Plan Cache. The Create Performance Data (CRTPFRDTA) command exports the SQL data to a new database file QAPMSQLPC.
  • Temporary storage usage is now being collected at the job and system level. The additional data is provided in files QAPMJOBMI and QAPMSYSTEM.
  • Memory usage metrics are enhanced to include many new metrics along with separately reporting metrics for 4K versus 64K page sizes. The additional data is provided in file QAPMPOOLB.
  • Several new files summarize collected data for use by IBM® Navigator for i system monitors. The Create Performance Data (CRTPFRDTA) command exports the data when parameter CRTPFRSUM is set to *SYSMON or *ALL. Even without running monitors, you can create these files to view the new system monitoring perspectives within Performance Data Investigator. The following are the new system monitor files: QAPMSMCMN, QAPMSMDSK, QAPMSMJMI, QAPMSMJOS, QAPMSMPOL, and QAPMSMSYS.
  • Many other existing files have changes and new fields. For more information, see the Collection Services data files topic.

IBM Navigator for i Performance interface

The performance interface includes Performance Data Investigator (PDI), Collection Manager, and web-based GUI interfaces for Collection Services, Job Watcher, and Disk Watcher. New functions for Batch Model, System Monitor, and Performance Reports are described here.
  • Batch Model: A new Batch Model set of tasks is available under Sizing as part of the Performance task. The Batch Model tool models the system utilization and job run times of IBM i batch workloads. Use the Batch Model tasks to help analyze and predict batch job performance on the IBM i and help answer the question: “What can I do to my system to meet my overnight batch runtime requirements (also known as the batch window)?” A Batch Model collection is created based on existing performance data that is collected by using IBM i Collection Services. The Batch Model file based collections can be viewed and managed with other collections in the Collection Manager table.
  • System Monitor: A new System Monitor package is available within the Performance task to provide near real-time graphs for system monitor data collected. This new package provides lightweight, single metric views with refresh capability for real-time system monitoring data. The charts can be launched either from the System Monitor function of IBM Navigator for i or from Performance Data Investigator (Investigate Data task) Perspectives List panel. The list of perspectives (charts) available is the same list as the data categories collected from the System Monitor function. In addition, the Configure Collection Services GUI is enhanced to enable system monitoring configuration.
  • Integration with Database: The Database package is enhanced.* This provides SQL plan cache data perspectives with new SQL Collection Services data, new detailed Database I/O views for both Physical and Logical I/O metrics, and new SQL Cursor and Native DB Opens. A Health Indicators perspective for Database Health is added to the Health Indicators package.

    SQL Plan Cache and SQL Performance Monitor database performance files can be viewed with SQL Overview and SQL Attribute Mix perspectives*. From a Database task that is viewing any of these database performance files, you can launch into PDI to view the set of charts. From within the PDI Perspective list panel, the SQL Plan Cache Snapshot, Event Monitor, and SQL Performance Monitor database performance files can be seen in the Collection dropdown list for each library and selected to display the selected valid perspective.

  • Performance Reports: A Performance Data Report can be generated for a set of PDI perspectives. You can view the report in IBM Navigator for i or generate a PDF or zip file. By using Performance Data Reports, you can efficiently export multiple charts or tables for a collection at one time.
  • Interval Details for One Thread or Task enhancements: A Show Holder button was added to display holder information when a thread or task that is holding others is identified. Use the Show Holder button to display the holding job or task information. In addition, change the interval that is viewed without going back to the previous chart by using the Interval Number arrows or by changing the Interval Number field.
  • Drilldown information: When you drill down on charts in PDI, you will see specific drilldown information to indicate the selected metric or interval that is used to filter the data that is displayed.
  • System Information panel: On PDI perspectives display panel, the Show System Information view option provides more detailed information for the system that the displayed collection came from such as processor, memory, and partition specifications.
  • Option to show SQL error messages: The Show SQL error messages option on the Options panel in PDI provides specific error information on SQL errors when the Modify SQL function is used.
  • New Perspectives: In addition to the new perspectives described for System Monitor, Batch Model, and Database, the following areas have new perspectives: Storage Allocation/Deallocation, Memory, and Java™.

* Requires PT1 Option 1 installed on the system.

IBM Navigator for i Monitors

The ability to create system and message monitors is now available in IBM Navigator for i.

IBM Navigator for i monitors can be used to display current information about the performance of your system. Additionally, you can use them to carry out predefined actions when a specific event or message occurs. Monitors continue to monitor and perform any threshold commands or actions you specified until you stop the monitor.

System Monitors
System monitors can track the elements of system performance of specific interest to you. Detailed graphs help you visualize what is going on with your system as it happens. 35 predefined metrics (performance measurements) can be chosen to pinpoint specific aspects of system performance.
Message Monitors
Message monitors can be used to monitor for when an application completes successfully/unsuccessfully or monitor for other specific messages that are critical to your business needs.