Db2 Workload Manager Wlm as a Monitoring Solution

Automated Health Check for Workload Manager Goals

IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS leverages underlying knowledge about the Workload Manager to help you optimize goals and performance and alert you to otherwise hidden availability risks.

Optimize WLM Performance and Highlight Availability Risks

Dynamic workload management, which is performed by the Workload Manager (WLM), is an essential part of the z/OS operating system where multiple workloads run simultaneously.

Workloads are categorized into distinct service classes, for which a 'goal' and 'importance' is defined. The goal describes what performance a service class should get, and the importance defines how important it is that goals are met for this service class, relative to the other service classes. WLM uses this to make sure the most important workloads get priority at times when resources are scarce.

The performance index (PI) is the metric that measures whether WLM goals are met, by computing how high the response time was relative to the goal: PI = Measured Transaction Response Time / Response Time Goal. A value greater than 1 means the response time for the service class did not meet the goal.

With easy-to-use interactive data navigation, historical reporting, single-click data comparisons and report customizations, built-in recommendations and anomaly detection, and a comprehensive set of WLM reports, IntelliMagic Vision provides unrivaled visibility into your environment.

Clear Insights into WLM Goals

IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS makes a rating for how well goals were met, based on the height of the PI in combination with the importance. This gives clear insight into how well WLM manages to achieve its goals, and in case of missed goals, how severe problems are. These ratings are shown in the WLM dashboard.

Understand Internal Components with Deep Insights

When the dashboard shows yellow or red bubbles, it is important to be able to find out why the response time goals were not met. The "using" and "delay" components of the response time are shown by IntelliMagic Vision at various levels, such as per LPAR or per service class. This provides a very deep insight in whether CPUs are busy doing actual work, or whether there is any contention on the processors or on the DASD.

For instance, when the Using DASD component is significant, it is very worthwhile to investigate using IntelliMagic Vision drill-downs if I/O tuning or a (partial) storage system upgrade can make a difference. These are likely much less expensive than a processor upgrade.

Intuitive Visibility into SMF Data

In contrast to approaches today that require coding programs or mastering tooling siloed by technology to access various types of SMF data, a common, intuitive user interface eliminates effort spent mining data and instead frees up staff to focus entirely on high-value analysis.

This single interface used across the entire z/OS platform greatly expedites learning, promotes collaboration, and enhances analytical effectiveness.

Context Sensitive Drill Downs

Context sensitive drill downs enable an analyst to identify alternative analytical paths based on the data currently being displayed and quickly investigate each hypothesis with just a few clicks, greatly reducing lost time when exploring what ends up being a "dead-end" path.

When dealing with massive SMF data volumes, this capability to focus analysis on the desired subset of data becomes especially valuable.

Accelerated Root Cause Analysis

Highly flexible drill-down capabilities of IntelliMagic Vision enable data to be viewed at the processor, system, card, or address space level and specific migration activity. Built-in conditional filters can further be a customized for a set of reports on a focused dashboard.

Quickly investigate each hypothesis with just a few clicks and greatly reducing lost time when exploring "dead-end" paths.

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Whether you're in the early stages of product research, evaluating competitive solutions, or trying to solve a problem, we're happy to help you get the information you need to move forward with your IT initiatives.

Additional Resources for Workload Manager

Managing z/OS Workload Manager (WLM) Goals and Performance

This white paper covers how to utilize a modernized approach to better manage z/OS Workload Manager goals and performance and ensure that your Service Levels are being met.

Read White Paper

Investigating Spikes in CPU by WLM Importance Level

This video investigates the address spaces driving an unanticipated finding of a spike in CPU consumption for the highest importance "Systems" work,

View Video

Is Some Automation Unnecessary Noise or Just Lower Priority Work?

Computers don't get tired, bored, or complain about the endless work we have them doing. But sometimes automation is running in not so obvious places. Learn some practical guidance for managing those workloads.

Read Blog

Areas Supported by IntelliMagic Vision for z/OS

Systems, Processors, & MLC

Continual visibility into how the z/OS systems infrastructure is handling your workloads helps you improve performance and protect availability.

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Db2, CICS, WebSphere, TCP/IP, & MQ

Unprecedented visibility into the extensive metrics provided by critical z/OS subsystems to enhance availability and analyze performance.

Learn More

Disk, Tape, & Virtual Tape

Industry-leading visibility and expertise to analyze and proactively identify potential I/O issues in your disk and virtual tape and replication architectures.

Learn More

Secure and 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

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Db2 Workload Manager Wlm as a Monitoring Solution

Source: https://www.intellimagic.com/products/intellimagic-vision-zos/zos-systems-processors-network/automated-health-check-workload-manager-goals/

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