IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics data flow: an overview

Input for the IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics database consists of sequential log data sets, such as SMF and DCOLLECT system logs. IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics processes data collected from the input logs, summarizes and stores the data in the IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics database, and creates reports based on that data.

Figure 1 is an overview of the flow of data from the SMF log into IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics.

Figure 1. Overview of data flow from SMF log into IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics

The IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics data flow (see Figure 2) follows these steps:

  1. The operating system or licensed program writes data to sequential log data sets. These data sets are the input to IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics.
  2. The COLLECT function reads data from the log data sets.
  3. IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics uses record definitions to map the data from log data sets. Using record definitions, extracts only the data it needs from the log to create IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics-internal records.
  4. In some cases, IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics uses a record procedure to reformat the data mapped by record definitions. Record procedures are used to add more data and to combine data from several records. Update definitions define which tables need data from the records.
  5. When data is reformatted by a record procedure, IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics uses a second record definition to map the new data.
  6. IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics stores the data in data tables. Update definitions instruct it where to store the data. At the same time, it uses lookup tables as input to data tables. The lookup tables contain user-defined information that defines an organization's operating environment. The lookup tables then convert data or add user-defined data to the tables. Some tables contain summarized information from another table. (For example, one table might contain hourly data summarized from weekly data in another table.) Update definitions also define the summarized tables.
  7. IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics creates reports with the data from the data tables. In some cases, it uses additional data from lookup tables when creating the reports.
Figure 2. Overview of data flow within IBM Z Performance and Capacity Analytics

For more information about collecting data, refer to the Administration Guide and Reference.