Testing the cluster with Symping

The cluster management console allows cluster and consumer administrators to test that the cluster configuration is correct by running test work. It also provides information on the cluster's workload performance.

About this task

Note: From the cluster management console, if you run Symping with multiple tasks, and then select to terminate one of the running or pending tasks, the system terminates all tasks in the session.

Procedure

  • Test the cluster for a complete workload cycle.

    This is the default option when using Symping. Use this tool to test your cluster configuration. Running this tool is often the last step in installation to make sure you have configured your cluster properly so that work can run.

    1. From the cluster management console Dashboard, select Common Tasks > Symphony Workload > Run Symping.

      The Symping window opens.

    2. Check the status.

      If the status is ready, you can continue. If it is not ready, check your connection with IBM® Spectrum Symphony.

    3. (Optional) View or modify advanced options:
      1. Click Show Advanced Settings and Output.

        The task details, host summary, and optional settings display.

        Task details and host summary display detailed information for the last test run. If you have not yet run Symping since navigating to this page, these areas are blank.

      2. Under Optional Settings, customize your Symping options.
    4. (Optional) Run the tool under a different user account than you are logged on as:
      1. Click Show authorization details.
      2. Specify a user name and password.
    5. Click Run.

      The cluster speed and efficiency results are displayed under Run.

    6. (Optional) Export the results to save locally. Compare these results against results gathered at other times, with other settings.
  • Test the cluster for task overhead.

    Task overhead is the overhead the system requires when running work. Task overhead is determined by subtracting the execution time from the total time the work took to run (pure processing time).

    Change the advanced settings to test any fine tuning you want, such as increased output message size and increased input message size, to determine an approximate amount of overhead for your typical workload.

    1. From the cluster management console Dashboard, select Common Tasks > Symphony Workload > Run Symping.

      The Symping window opens.

    2. Check the status.

      If the status is ready, you can continue. If it is not ready, check your connection with IBM Spectrum Symphony.

    3. (Optional) View or modify advanced options:
      1. Click Show Advanced Settings and Output.

        The task details, host summary, and optional settings display.

        Task details and host summary display detailed information for the last test run. If you have not yet run Symping since navigating to this page, these areas are blank.

      2. Select Test for...Task overhead.
    4. (Optional) Run the tool under a different user account than you are logged on as:
      1. Click Show authorization details.
      2. Specify a user name and password.
    5. Click Run.

      Task overhead results display under Run.

    6. (Optional) Export the results to save locally. Compare these results against results gathered at other times, with other settings.