Deploying workload-specific solutions

When associated with a Tailored Fit Pricing for workload-specific solution such as an Application Development and Test Solution, SMF and the Sub-Capacity Reporting Tool (SCRT) use Tailored Fit Pricing to understand the resource consumption of the solution. This allows SCRT to remove the direct impact of these solutions from the rolling four-hour average of the LPARs where it runs. SCRT also provides an isolated view of the container environment, including the products in use.

With Tailored Fit Pricing for IBM Z, there is no need to isolate a solution to a separate LPAR for pricing purposes and you are not required to build spreadsheets manually to track specific workloads. Tailored Fit Pricing gives you the freedom to deploy a solution where it makes the most sense based on a technical evaluation.

After an initial set up is performed, the SMF data that SCRT uses contains all the information required for Tailored Fit Pricing. There is no need for any complex data collection and analysis, even for cases where the new solution is colocated with other workloads.

You can deploy the Tailored Fit Pricing workload-specific solutions solutions as follows.
  • New Application Solution. Add new approved z/OS solutions either:
    • Colocated in an existing LPAR with other unrelated workloads without directly impacting R4HA
    • To a dedicated LPAR.

    For a colocated solution, you can measure the MSU used for the Tailored Fit Pricing colocated solution independently of the other workloads in the LPAR. Optionally, the consumption by the solution may be capped using a function similar to WLM Resource Group capping. The system records data about the colocated solution for accounting SCRT reporting purposes. SCRT analyzes the recorded data and produces a report for consumption by fulfillment systems, removing the workload’s MSU utilization from the R4HA.

  • Application Development and Test Solution (DevTest), for z/OS-based development and test workloads. The DevTest environment is typically on dedicated LPARs.

Figure 1 illustrates the possible placement of workload-specific solutions solutions.

Figure 1. Tailored Fit Pricing lets you place solutions as required by business needs
Tailored Fit Pricing lets you place solutions as required by business needs