VM Performance Toolkit overview
The Performance Toolkit for VM provides enhanced capabilities for a z/VM systems programmer, system operator, or performance analyst to monitor and report performance data. Offered as a priced optional feature of z/VM, the Performance Toolkit for VM is derived from the FCON/ESA program (5788-LGA), which was not available in all countries.

VM Performance Toolkit functions
The functions provided by the Performance Toolkit for VM include:

• Operation of the system operator console in full-screen mode
• Management of multiple z/VM systems (local or remote)
• Post-processing of Performance Toolkit for VM history files and VM monitor data captured by the MONWRITE utility
• Viewing of performance monitor data using either Web browsers or PC-based 3270 emulator graphics
• TCP/IP performance reporting

IBM introduced the Performance Toolkit for VM ^TM in the announcement of z/VM V4.4 to provide a variety of reports on system performance. Use the Performance Toolkit to reduce data from the z/VM MONITOR and produce reports and history files.

With z/VM V5.1, Performance Toolkit for VM was enhanced by providing functional equivalence to the Performance Reporting Facility (PRF) priced optional feature, thereby eliminating the need for separate products (PRF and RTM) to help manage your performance more efficiently. This includes a new BATCH mode of processing monitor data. Other new function provided with z/VM V5.1 includes:

• New high-level Linux reports based on Application Monitor records from Linux guests
• A new report for SCSI disks

"What's new in Performance Toolkit for VM in z/VM V5.1"

With z/VM V5.2, this new function was added to the Performance Toolkit for z/VM:

• Support for updated control blocks and new monitor data
  • Handle changes to offsets in CP Control blocks
  • Handle fields removed from CP Control blocks
  • New System Execution Space report
  • New System Storage reporting
  • Eliminate Detailed User Storage report
  • Expand QDIO report based on new Monitor Data

With z/VM V5.3, this new function was added to the Performance Toolkit for z/VM:

• Support for new z/VM Monitor Data and Features
  • FCX265 LOCKLOG Report
  • FCX266 GVSWITCH Report
  • FCX267 EVSWITCH Report
  • FCX268 GVNIC Report
  • FCX269 VNIC Report
  • FCX270 EVNIC Report
• Changes for Mixed Engine support
  • FCX100 CPU
  • FCX126 LPAR
  • FCX202 LPARLOG
  • FCX144 PROCLOG
  • FCX145 SCHEDLOG
  • FCX180 SYSCONF
• z/VM related changes
  • Service by text decks instead of module
  • FCXLEVEL changes to reflect text levels
  • Use of CP dump format and VMDUMPTL
  • Passphrase support for web access
• Support for other products
  • FC MONCOLL SEGOUT for OMEGAMON access to PERFKIT data

With z/VM V5.4, this new function was added to the Performance Toolkit for z/VM:

• Making these reports available in BATCH mode by using monitor data instead of Diag x'04' for:
  • FCX100 - CPU
  • FCX103 - STORAGE utilization
  • FCX104 - PRIVOPS
• Changes to the following reports in support of Dynamic Memory Upgrade:
  • FCX102 - SYSTEM
  • FCX180 - SYSCONF
  • FCX254 - AVAILLOG and others will have updated data
• Changes the following reports to support Relative Share:
  • FCX112 - USER
  • FCX226 - UCONF
• Provide an optional web screen for 5 seconds before the logon screen for customers to tailor to their needs.

Considerations for RTM and PRF
Although the RealTime Monitor (RTM) and Performance Reporting Facility (PRF) optional features continue to be supported in z/VM 4.4.0, IBM plans to make future performance management enhancements primarily to the Performance Toolkit for VM. IBM plans that z/VM 4.4.0 will be the last release in which the RTM and PRF features will be available with z/VM, and plans to withdraw both the RTM and PRF features from marketing in a future z/VM release. ^*

 RTM function cross reference
 VMPRF report cross reference

The Performance Toolkit for VM feature is considered to be a program update for the RTM and PRF features as defined in the z/VM Addendum for Support, Z125-6547. Therefore, any existing z/VM V4 customers who have purchased a Subscription & Support (S&S) license for the RTM or PRF feature are entitled to receive a no-charge upgrade to the Performance Toolkit for VM feature when ordering z/VM V4.4. Refer to the announcement letters for z/VM V4.4 for details.

Getting started

Linux on IBM zSeries and S/390: Performance Toolkit for VM

If you will be supporting Linux instances on z/VM, consider attending one of the new course offerings from IBM Learning Services.

• Installing, Configuring and Servicing z/VM for Linux Guests Linux (Course ZV060)
• z/VM and Linux: Connectivity and Management (ZV100)
• z/VM and Linux Technical Conferences

Note: *
All statements regarding IBM's plans, directions, and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice. Any reliance on this Statement of Direction is at the relying party's sole risk and will not create any liability or obligation for IBM.