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Performance Management

These changes affect the performance management of z/VM:

  • MONDCSS and SAMPLE CONFIG Changes
  • MONWRITE Changes
  • Monitor Changes
  • Command and Output Changes
  • Effects on Accounting Data
  • Performance Toolkit for VM Changes
  • Omegamon XE Changes

MONDCSS and SAMPLE CONFIG Changes

The size of the default monitor MONDCSS segment shipped with z/VM has been increased from 16 MB (4096 pages) to 64 MB (16384 pages). In addition, the default size of the MONITOR SAMPLE CONFIG area has been increased from 241 pages to 4096 pages. The changes to these defaults were implemented because the old defaults are often too small for most systems today. Modern systems are running with an increasing number of devices and virtual machines, and the SAMPLE CONFIG area as previously defined can not contain all the data. Also, over the last several releases both the size of the monitor records and the number of monitor records being generated have grown, thus the need for a larger MONDCSS segment. Even though the segment is larger, the entire 64 MB of storage is not completely used. Empty pages in the segment are not instantiated and the pages used for configuration evaporate after a short time.

If you use your own MONDCSS segment, the new default SAMPLE CONFIG size may be too large. If this is the case you will receive the following error message when you try to connect using the *MONITOR system service and the MONWRITE utility. 

HCPMOW6270E MONWRITE severed the IUCV connection, reason code 2C
HCPMOW6267I MONITOR writer connection to *MONITOR ended

If you receive this message you will have to increase the size of your MONDCSS segment or manually set the size of your SAMPLE CONFIG area using the MONITOR command.

MONWRITE Changes

The size of the MONWRITE 191 disk has been increased to 300 cylinders to handle the size of the monitor data modern systems tend to record.

The MONWRITE module is now generated as relocatable.

MONVIEW Changes

The MONVIEW sample program now finds monitor records that do not set their control record domain flags.

The MONVIEW sample program now processes domains higher than 10.

Monitor Changes

Several z/VM 6.2 enhancements affect CP monitor data. There are two new monitor domains, Domain 9 - ISFC and Domain 11 - Single-System Image, nineteen new monitor records, several changed records, and two records which are no longer generated. The detailed monitor record layouts are found on our control blocks page.

In z/VM 6.2, Cryptographic Coprocessor Facility (CCF) Support has been removed. The System z processors supported by z/VM provide the following cryptographic hardware features: CP Assist for Cryptographic Function (CPACF), Crypto Express2 feature, and Crypto Express3 feature. Because the old Cryptographic Coprocessor Facility (CCF) and its predecessors are no longer available on these processors, CP support for old cryptographic hardware has been removed. Due to the removal of this support the following monitor records are no longer generated.

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 5 Record 6 Add Access to CRYPTO Facility
Domain 5 Record 7 Remove Access to CRYPTO Facility

Enhancements have been made to the ISFC subsystem. These enhancements improve the transport mechanism and provide convenient interfaces for exploitation by other subsystems within the CP nucleus. To show activity related to ISFC links and ISFC transport end points the new ISFC Domain (Domain 9) has been added along with the following new monitor records:

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 1 Record 23 ISFC End Point Configuration
Domain 1 Record 24 ISFC Logical Link Configuration
Domain 9 Record 1 ISFC End Point Status Change
Domain 9 Record 2 ISFC End Point Activity
Domain 9 Record 3 ISFC Logical Link Definition Change
Domain 9 Record 4 ISFC Logical Link Activity

Real device mapping is now provided as a means of identifying a device either by a customer-generated equivalency ID (EQID) or by a CP-generated EQID. This mapping is used to ensure virtual machines relocated via the new Live Guest Relocation (LGR) support added in z/VM 6.2 continue to use the same or equivalent devices following a relocation. The following CP monitor records have been updated to add the device EQID:

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 1 Record 6 Device Configuration Data
Domain 6 Record 1 Vary On Device

A new SSI Domain (Domain 11) and new monitor records have been added in conjunction with the single system image (SSI) cluster configuration and management support.

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 1 Record 25 SSI Configuration Information
Domain 11 Record 1 State Change Synchronization Activity
Domain 11 Record 2 State/Mode Information
Domain 11 Record 3 State Change Event
Domain 11 Record 4 Slot Definition

In addition the following monitor records have been updated for the new user identity and configuration support:

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 1 Record 15 Logged on user
Domain 4 Record 1 User Logon Data

z/VM 6.2 provides shared disk enhancements that improve the support for sharing real DASD among z/VM images and simplifies the management of minidisk links and minidisk cache (MDC) for minidisks shared by multiple images. The following monitor records have been added for this support:

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 6 Record 31 Minidisk Activity
Domain 11 Record 6 XDISK Serialization Activity
Domain 11 Record 7 XDISK Activity

The following monitor records have been updated for this support:

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 0 Record 14 Expanded Storage Data (Global)
Domain 4 Record 2 User Logoff Data
Domain 4 Record 3 User Activity Data

With the added ability to relocate a virtual machine from one z/VM image in a single system image to another, the following monitor records have been added and updated:

Added monitor records:

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 4 Record 11 Guest Relocation Started
Domain 4 Record 12 Guest Relocation Ended

Updated monitor records:

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 0 Record 3 Real Storage Data (Global)
Domain 0 Record 7 Shared Storage Data
Domain 0 Record 8 User Data
Domain 0 Record 12 User Wait States
Domain 1 Record 15 Logged On User
Domain 2 Record 11 I/O Priority Changes
Domain 4 Record 1 User Logon
Domain 4 Record 2 User Logoff Data
Domain 4 Record 3 User Activity Data
Domain 4 Record 4 User Interaction Data
Domain 8 Record 1 Virtual NIC Session Activity
Domain 10 Record 2 Sample Application Data

The following monitor records have been added or changed for the new CPU-Measurement Facility Host Counters support.

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 1 Record 14 Domain Detail
Domain 5 Record 13 CPU-Measurement Facility

To record information for data added by the new System Topology support, the following two new records have been added:

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 1 Record 26 System Topology (Configuration)
Domain 5 Record 14 System Topology (Event)

To provide additional debug information for system and performance problems, z/VM 6.2 added or changed these monitor records:

Monitor Record Record Name
Domain 0 Record 2 Processor Data (per processor)
Domain 0 Record 13 Scheduler Activity (per processor)
Domain 0 Record 17 Physical CPU Data Utilization Data for LPAR Management
Domain 0 Record 23 Formal Spin Lock Data
Domain 1 Record 1 Event Profile
Domain 1 Record 4 System Configuration Data
Domain 1 Record 6 Device Configuration Data
Domain 1 Record 7 Memory Configuration Data
Domain 1 Record 9 Sample Profile
Domain 1 Record 18 Record of CPU Capability Change
Domain 2 Record 9 SET SHARE Changes
Domain 2 Record 13 Add VMDBK to the limit list
Domain 2 Record 14 Drop VMDBK from the limit list
Domain 3 Record 1 Real Storage Management (Global)
Domain 3 Record 2 Real Storage Activity (per processor)
Domain 3 Record 4 Auxiliary Storage Management
Domain 3 Record 21 Central Storage added to Real Memory
Domain 4 Record 9 User Activity at Transaction End
Domain 5 Record 9 Crypto Performance Counters
Domain 6 Record 1 Vary On Device
Domain 6 Record 21 Virtual Switch Activity

z/VM 6.2 corrects a problem in how the high-frequency state sampler assesses state for the base virtual CPU of a virtual MP guest. It has always been true that if a nonbase virtual CPU goes to the dispatch list, the base virtual CPU goes also even if it is nondispatchable. Prior to z/VM 6.2, the high-frequency state sampler would count such a base virtual CPU as "other" state. This led to elevated "other" counts. On z/VM 6.2, the high-frequency state sampler counts such a base virtual CPU as "dormant" state. Monitor records D4 R4 MRUSEINT and D4 R10 MRUSEITE are affected.

VM64818 for z/VM 5.4 and z/VM 6.1 changed the D1 R4 MRMTRSYS record to add a new flag byte MTRSYS_CALLEVEL. This flag byte records the presence of APARs that add ambiguous changes to Monitor records. On those two releases only, if VM64818 is applied, the bits in MTRSYS_CALLEVEL have the following meanings: 

x80                VM64798 is installed (z/VM 6.1 only)
x40                VM64794 is installed (z/VM 5.4 or 6.1)
All other bits     unused

In z/VM 6.2 these two bits are no longer meaningful.

D5 R9 MRPRCAPC is now generated only if crypto hardware is present in the partition.

Command and Output Changes

This section cites new or changed commands or command outputs that are relevant to the task of performance management. The section does not give syntax diagrams, sample command outputs, or the like. Current copies of z/VM publications can be found in our online library.

MONITOR: adds support for new domains.

MONITOR SAMPLE: adds support for CPU Measurement Facility host counters. Also affects z/VM 5.4 and z/VM 6.1 if VM64961 is applied.

QUERY CAPABILITY: command outputs are modified to support z196. Also affects z/VM 5.4 and z/VM 6.1 if VM64798 is applied.

QUERY ISFC TRANSPORT: new command.

QUERY ISLINK: changes output format to reflect ISFC's new data-carrying capabilities.

QUERY MDCACHE: adds support for MDC becoming disabled due to a write-link from another member of the SSI.

QUERY MONITOR: adds support for new domains.

QUERY MONITOR: adds support for CPU Measurement Facility host counters. Also affects z/VM 5.4 and z/VM 6.1 if VM64961 is applied.

QUERY REORDER: new command. Also new in z/VM 5.4 and 6.1 if VM64774 is applied.

SET REORDER: new command. Also new in z/VM 5.4 and 6.1 if VM64774 is applied.

SET SRM STORBUF: The defaults on SET SRM STORBUF are now 300 250 200.

SET SRM LIMITHARD: The default for SET SRM LIMITHARD is now CONSUMPTION.

VMRELOCATE: new command.

Effects on Accounting Data

VM64798 (z196 support) changed the type 0D record to add CPU capability fields: 

ACONCCAP DS    CL8   (45-52) Nominal CPU Capability
ACOCCR   DS    CL3   (53-55) Capacity-Change Reason
ACOCAI   DS    CL3   (56-58) Capacity-Adjustment Indication
ACOCPRSV DS    CL20  (59-78) Reserved
The new fields are all character representations of decimal values, left-padded with zeroes.

Performance Toolkit for VM Changes

Performance Toolkit for VM has been enhanced in z/VM 6.2.

The following reports have been changed:

Performance Toolkit for VM: Changed Reports

Name Number Title What Changed
CHANNEL FCX107 Channel Load
  • 'Chan-Group Descr' - added new OSX/OSM CHPID type
CPU FCX100 CPU Load and Transactions
  • Processor list is now sorted by CPU number
DASDLOG FCX183 DASD performance log
  • 'SEEK Cyls' now supports EAV
DEMNDLOG FCX259 Demand Scan Log
  • Displays large values instead of question marks
DEVCONF FCX131 I/O Device Configuration
  • 'Device Type' now supports 3390-A
  • 'Device Type' - added new INMN or IEDN type
  • Now indicates whether the device supports XRC
DEVCONF FCX131 I/O Device Configuration
  • Now displays device type for FCP devices
DEVICE FCX108 General I/O Device
  • 'Type' now supports 3390-A
  • 'SEEK Cyls' now supports EAV
DEVICE CPOWNED FCX109 CP Owned Device
  • Now correctly displays number of extents and %used for 9336 devices
  • Correctly handles shifting via Web interface
DEVICE details FCX110 I/O Device Details
  • Now correctly displays TDISK % used for FBA devices
  • 'Device Type' now supports 3390-A
  • 'Last SEEK', 'MDISK Extent', and 'VSEEK' now support EAV
DEVLOG FCX168 General I/O Device Data Log
  • 'Type' now supports 3390-A
  • 'SEEK Cyls' now supports EAV
  • Deleted number of DASD value on right
GVNIC FCX268 General Virtual Network Device Description
  • 'Type' - added new INMN and IEDN type of virtual NIC
  • 'Port Num' - added port value for the guest connection
GVSWITCH FCX266 General Virtual Switch Description
  • Added the OSA port number
  • Configuration - added access type for a virtual switch
LCHANNEL FCX161 LPAR Channel Load
  • 'Chan-Group Descr' - added new OSX/OSM CHPID type
LPAR FCX126 LPAR Log
  • Corrected (load fields could display dots on large systems)
LPARLOG FCX202 LPAR Load Log
  • Corrected (load fields could display dots on large systems)
LXCPU FCX243 General Linux CPU Utilization
  • Corrected possible memory leak
MONDATA FCX155 Monitor Data Statistics
  • Added registration of all new records and domains
MONITOR FCX124 Performance Data Selection Menu
  • Added SSI Data Menu
MONSET FCX149 Monitor Settings
  • Added indicator of CPU Measurement Facility Counters for PROCESSOR domain
  • Added description of domain 11 (SSI)
PROCLOG FCX144 Processor Log
  • Now correctly handles varying processors offline/online
  • Correctly displays Fast page pct in mean line
  • Correctly displays time interval in header
QDIO FCX251 QDIO Activity
  • 'QDIO Fmt' - added new INMN or IEDN type
QDIOLOG FCX252 QDIO Activity Log
  • 'QDIO Fmt' - added new INMN or IEDN type
SFSLOG FCX150 Shared File System Log
  • Now correctly handles the SFS server recycle condition
STORAGE FCX103 Storage Utilization
  • Added section 'Memory Constraint Relief'
SYSCONF FCX180 System Configuration
  • Added the numeric representation for CAI and CCR with the human readable interpretation of these values
  • Added indicator of whether the system is in an ensemble
  • Added Server Time Protocol (STP) facility configuration data
  • Added new messages in the log section (Synch-check occurred, Synchronization complete, Timezone change occurred)
  • Added ensemble identification (Ensemble ID)
  • Added CP load module name and its generation date/time
  • Added channel subsystem (CSS) ID
  • Added PDR volume
  • Added processor configuration mode
SYSSET FCX154 System Settings
  • Added SET REORDER for SYSTEM ON/OFF
  • Added SRM LIMITHARD value
  • Now correctly displays SHARE value for mixed engine configuration
SYSSUMLG FCX225 System Summary Log
  • Correctly handles number of processors
SYSTEM FCX102 System Counters
  • Added section 'Memory Constraint Relief'
UCOMM FCX132 User Communication
  • Corrected average values
UCOMMLOG userid FCX167 User Communication Log
  • Corrected average values
UCONF FCX226 User Configuration
  • Added SET REORDER for user ON/OFF
  • Corrected storage size field
  • Corrected QUICKDSP value
UPAGE FCX113 User Page Data
  • Corrected average values
UPAGELOG userid FCX163 User Page Data Log
  • Corrected average values
USER userid FCX115 User Resource Details
  • 'Device activity and status' section now supports EAV minidisk size and last SEEK cylinder
VNIC FCX269 Virtual Network Device Activity
  • Added new type of virtual NIC (QDIO with OSM/OSX chpid)

The following reports are new:

Performance Toolkit for VM: New Reports

Name Number Title Description
SSIMENU FCX271 SSI Data Menu The SSI Data Menu displays a selection menu of available SSI / ISFC reports.
ISFECONF FCX272 ISFC End Point Configuration The ISFC End Point Configuration Screen displays the ISFC end points present on this system.
ISFEACT FCX273 ISFC End Point Activity The ISFC End Point Activity Screen displays ISFC transport traffic by endpoint.
ISFLACT FCX274 ISFC Logical Link Activity The ISFC Logical Link Activity Screen displays ISFC logical link activity.
ISFLCONF FCX275 ISFC Logical Link Configuration The ISFC Logical Link Configuration Screen displays the configuration of ISFC logical links.
SSICONF FCX276 SSI Configuration The SSI Configuration Screen displays the SSI configuration of this system.
SSISCHLG FCX277 SSI State Change Synchronization Activity Log The SSI State Change Synchronization Activity Log Screen displays the current SSI state change synchronization activity, by time.
SSISMILG FCX278 SSI State/Mode Information Log The SSI State/Mode Information Log Screen displays SSI configuration of this system, by time.
ISFELOG epoint FCX279 ISFC End Point Activity Log The ISFC End Point Activity Log screen shows a log of the activity of the selected ISFC endpoint. The screen is available from BENCHMRK menu.
ISFLLOG partner FCX280 ISFC Logical Link Activity Log The ISFC Logical Link Activity Log displays a log of the traffic on the selected ISFC logical link. The screen is available from BENCHMRK menu.
ISFLALOG FCX281 ISFC Logical Link Activity By-Time Log The ISFC Logical Link Activity By-Time Log displays overall performance data for all ISFC logical links existing in the system, by time.

IBM continually improves Performance Toolkit for VM in response to customer-reported and IBM-reported defects or suggestions. In Function Level 620, the following small improvements or repairs are notable:

  • Obsolete TFTP report removed.
  • Obsolete DASD I/O Assist report (IOASSIST) removed.
  • FCONX $PROFILE (sample) file corrected for optimal default settings.
  • The Performance Toolkit for VM does not start with VMSIZE less than 32M.
  • The maximum allowed REDISP count has been increased to 14400.
  • The new message '*** Status refreshed ***' is displayed on the configuration screens each time the Monitor configuration data is received.
  • The Performance Toolkit for VM sends a proper alert in case of any Perfkit abend to a special user defined by the FC MAINTID command.
  • Special notification message FCX111I is issued and stays displayed when PERFKIT encounters a critical condition.
  • Corrected SHARE values in USER reports for mixed engine configuration.
  • The Emergency Safeguard Feature (ESF) controlled by FC EMERGENC subcommand was developed.
  • Added support of multi-day Monitor data files in BATCH mode.
  • Added support of benchmark feature for multi-day Monitor data files.
  • Added the logoff button to the Web interface screen.
  • Added the new parameter to the FC MONCOLL WEBSERV command to implement an ability to change the default timeout (30 min) for inactive Web sessions.
  • Added *VSWITCH, *ASYNCMD, *SCLP, *VMEVENT services to some reports.
  • The Performance Toolkit for VM now supports new SMAPI APIs for Event Management.

Omegamon XE Changes

Omegamon XE has added several new workspaces so as to expand and enrich its ability to comment on z/VM system performance. In particular, Omegamon XE now offers these additional workspaces and functions:

  • System Health
  • Resource Constraint
  • Virtual Memory Overcommit
  • Scaled LPAR usage metrics
  • Integration with TBSM

To support these Omegamon XE endeavors, Performance Toolkit for VM now puts additional CP Monitor data into the PERFOUT DCSS.

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