To collect detailed trace information, you need to tailor
Performance Explorer to work optimally with the application process
from which the trace is being taken.
To configure Performance Explorer, follow these steps:
- Create a session definition that informs
the system which performance data you want to collect. On the Add
Performance Explorer Definition (ADDPEXDFN) display, specify the collection
type and a name for the definition. This definition is stored as a
database member by that name in the QAPEXDFN file in library QUSRSYS.
The name that you specify is used on the Start Performance Explorer
(STRPEX) command.
- (Optional) Add a filter (Add PEX Filter
(ADDPEXFTR) command). A Performance Explorer filter identifies the performance data
that is to be collected during a Performance Explorer session, and
is meant to limit the amount of data collected by specifying a compare
value for specific events.
- Start collecting data (Start Performance Explorer (STRPEX)
command). A job may be in more than one Performance Explorer collection if the
*PMCO event is not being collected. If the *PMCO event is being collected, then a job can be in
more than one collection only if all the collections have the same
interval specification (ADDPEXDFN INTERVAL() parameter). You can specify a definition and optional filter on the
STRPEX command.
- Run your command, program, or workload for data that you
want to analyze.
- Stop collecting the data and save it to database files
for analysis. Use the End Performance Explorer (ENDPEX) command to
stop the collection.
- Analyze the performance data. The Print
Performance Explorer Report (PRTPEXRPT) command provides unique reports
for each type of data (statistical, profile, trace profile, or trace).
The following are other options for analysis:
- Write your own queries for the set of database files.
- Use iDoctor for IBM® i - PEX Analyzer. iDoctor for IBM i is a set
of software performance analysis tools and associated services that
extend your ability to evaluate the health of your system by gathering
detailed information and providing automated, graphical analysis of
this data.
- To end the Performance Explorer session, use the End Performance
Explorer (ENDPEX) command.
All of the Performance Explorer commands can be accessed with one
of the following methods:
- The command interface. Type the commands from the
command line. All the commands are part of the IBM i operating system.
- The Performance Tools menu options.