Defining SMF synchronization

SMF provides options that you can use for synchronization of record writing in the sysplex. The SMF options are:

INTVAL(mm): SMF global recording interval - default is 30 minutes
SYNCVAL(mm): Synchronization with the hour - default is 00

If you use the default values, this means that SMF records will be written every 30 minutes at the full and the half hour.

Monitor I has these options that specify when to write SMF records:

SYNC(SMF): Synchronization with SMF - this is the default and means that records will be written as specified with INTVAL and SYNCVAL options.
SYNC(RMF™,mm): RMF synchronization with the hour
NOSYNC: No synchronization
INTERVAL(mm): Interval length - this value is ignored with SYNC(SMF)

The synchronization of SMF records written by Monitor III is defined by the SMF and Monitor I options:

Monitor I active: Monitor III has the same synchronization as Monitor I
Monitor I inactive: Monitor III has the global SMF synchronization (defined by INTVAL and SYNCVAL)

Note:

If you intend to create Postprocessor sysplex reports, you must use the same SYNC values on all systems in the sysplex. Do not use NOSYNC on any of the systems, in this case.
Nevertheless, different interval lengths are acceptable (but not recommended). The Postprocessor will use the smallest common multiplier to determine the interval length.
For example, if you have intervals of 10 minutes on SYSA and 15 minutes on SYSB, a sysplex report will be generated every 30 minutes (taking three intervals from SYSA and two intervals from SYSB).

Recommendation

Use the following values to synchronize SMF record writing:

SMF: INTVAL(nn) SYNCVAL(00) where nn can be 05, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30 or 60
Monitor I: SYNC(SMF)

For long-term monitoring with RMF XP, you achieve synchronization of SMF record type 104 collection by specifying the INTERVAL parameter in the GPM4CIM configuration file. This parameter defines the length of the monitoring interval and determines the frequency, with which RMF retrieves data from the monitored endpoints.

RMF XP Synchronization for SMF type 104

INTERVAL(length): Duration of the data monitoring interval in seconds - default: INTERVAL(300)

For more information see Configuration files and parameters.

For information about SMF record format and printing, see the z/OS RMF Programmer's Guide. See the z/OS MVS System Management Facilities (SMF) book for descriptions and formulas of the fields for each SMF record RMF produces.