How To
Summary
Performance data collection methods have evolved with TPC/VSC/SC.
Objective
The aim of this article is to provide performance data collection instructions for the recent versions of TPC/VSC/SC.
Environment
Although, the instructions could be similar for many different IBM and OEM storage products this article is specifically for systems based on IBM Spectrum Virtualize software.
San Volume Controller, Storwize Systems, IBM FlashSystem® 9100, IBM Spectrum Virtualize
Steps
Important considerations before you start.
- The CSV headers are created with the locale language settings of the user's workstation browser.
The locale language needs to be set to English when the data is required for IBM support tickets.
If necessary, follow the standard procedure for your operating system and browser to change the language to English.
In certain cases, a non-standard procedure might be required to change the language to English for versions 5.2.x and 5.3.x. - Volume statistics are always required for detailed performance investigations.
Data that spans long periods with a "sample" interval can create large CSVs.
For this reason, try to include only necessary time periods. - "Export to CSV" from a particular Performance View might be useful to illustrate a particular symptom, but it is not useful for a detailed performance analysis. When necessary, these types of CSVs should be used only to supplement a preferred data collection method.
- The default retention periods are as follows:
Sample = 2 weeks
Hourly = 4 weeks
Daily = 52 weeks
If these retention periods have not been modified, then it is important to investigate performance issues within 2 weeks while the most granular data is available.
Data collection Matrix
| TPC/VSC/SC version | Preferred method | Alternative method | Output format |
| 5.3.x | Export Performance Data | Script | ZIP | CSV |
| 5.2.10 - 5.2.17 | Performance Support Package | Script | GUI / Report Server | ZIP | CSV |XLSX |
| 5.2.8 - 5.2.9 | Script | GUI / Report Server | ZIP | CSV |XLSX |
| 5.2.7 | GUI / Report Server | n/a | XLSX |
| 5.x - 5.2.3 | GUI / Report Server | Stand-alone Client | XLSX | CSV |
| 4.x | Stand-alone Client | n/a | CSV |
- From the "Block Storage Systems" view, right-click the relevant storage system and select "Export Performance Data".
-
Volume data is always required, so ensure that the “Advanced export” option is selected if the selected period is greater than 12 hours.
-
Click “Create” to continue, then accept the prompt to download the file in your browser.
Performance Support Package
-
From the "Block Storage Systems" view, right-click the relevant storage system and select "Create Performance Support Package".
-
Select the time range(select "Advanced package" if the time spans 12 hours or more)
-
Click "Next", the package is created and you receive a prompt to download the file in your browser.
(The dialog box can be closed while the package is downloading.)
Script
This process is also described in the IBM Knowledge Center
https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SS5R93_5.2.9/com.ibm.spectrum.sc.doc/ref_per_export_perf_data_script.html
The script resides in the TPC “scripts” directory in the TPC installation path.
- Log in to a command terminal window on the TPC/VSC/SC server.
- Navigate to the appropriate path in the command terminal window
Windows default path --> C:\Program Files\IBM\TPC\Data\scripts
AIX/Linux default path --> /opt/IBM/TPC/Data/scripts/ or /usr/IBM/TPC/Data/scripts/ - Script usage.
The syntax options are similar for the Windows script(.bat) and AIX/Linux scripts(.sh)
-
devName might be obtained with the following commands in Linux.
The Windows syntax is similar, alternatively devName can be retrieved from the GUI.
#cd /opt/IBM/TPC/cli
# ./tpctool.sh lsdev -user username -pwd xxxxxxx -l -
Run the script with the default options if the performance problem occurred less than 4 hours before the data collection.
-
If a different time range is required then the “-start” and “-end” options might be used.
NB. If the data collection period spans 12 hours or greater add the “-advPkg yes” option to the command to include volume data and 1-minute samples. -
The path to the zip file is specified in the command output, It contains CSVs (with headers) for each metric.
GUI / Report Server
- Log in to the TPC web GUI.
- Navigate to the "Systems Management" view.
- Verify that the "Reporting Server" is running.
- Navigate to "Reporting --> View predefined reports"
- Log in to the Report Server(Cognos) with the credentials that were set during installation.
- Navigate to "Public Folders --> Storage Systems".
- Select the "Performance Data export" report.
NB. The default report action runs the report, if this was modified by the user then it might need to be changed back.
- Wait for the selection boxes to load.
- Use the filters to select the relevant system.
For the "Interval" field choose "Sample" to get the most granular report.
- Ensure that all metrics are selected.
- Save the report.
When the report is complete, you will be prompted to save the file in your browser, or if Excel is installed (on the PC being used), the report is opened.
The report contains a separate tab for each type of metric.
Stand-alone Client
- Launch the stand-alone client.
- Create a separate CSV (with headers) for each group of metrics in the "Storage Subsystem Performance" view.
- Verify that the CSV headers are in English before they are zipped and uploading them to a support ticket.
(Adjust the locale or language settings if necessary).
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Document Information
Modified date:
28 March 2023
UID
ibm10741093