PM iSeries™ uses Collection Services to gather performance data. Learn how PM iSeries and Collection Services work together to provide the data you need.
The most important requirement for establishing an accurate trend of the system utilization, workload, and performance measurements is consistency. Ideally, performance data should be collected 24 hours per day. Because of the relationship between PM iSeries and Collection Services, you need to be aware of the implications that can occur when you are using PM iSeries.
Here are some guidelines to help you define your collections when you are using PM iSeries:
The Location to store collections field uses the default value /QSYS.LIB/QMPGDATA.LIB when PM iSeries is active. If you replace QMPGDATA with some other value, PM iSeries cycles the collection on the hour and changes it back to QMPGDATA. If you want to collect data into a different library, change where PM iSeries looks for data. Type GO PM400 from the command line, select option 3 (Work with Customization), and change the library name.
PM iSeries satisfies this requirement by collecting data 24 hours a day with Collection Services. PM iSeries collects performance data at 15-minute intervals. PM iSeries uses the 15-minute interval default, but does not change what the interval is set to. A 15-minute interval is the recommended interval.
Standard plus protocol is the default value for the collection profile. The collection profile indicates what data is collected. The data categories in the standard plus protocol profile correspond to the *ALL value for the DATA parameter on the Start Performance Monitor (STRPFRMON) command. If you change this to any other value, PM iSeries changes it back on the hour. This is true even if you select Custom and include all categories. The change takes effect immediately. The collection does not cycle (unless required to do so for other reasons). This action is done to gather enough information for PM iSeries reports.
For example, when you activate PM iSeries, the Create database files during collection field is checked as the default value. If you change this, PM iSeries changes it back to the default value on the hour. The change takes effect immediately. The collection does not cycle (unless required to do so for other reasons).
You can end Collection Services at any time from iSeries Navigator. If you end Collection Services, the following considerations apply when PM iSeries is running: