The case of the disappearing disk space

Modern, complex iSeries applications can consume disk storage so rapidly and excessively that you see a “spike” in disk utilization. Finding which jobs are using up disk storage and for what objects, is a difficult and time consuming task - a task that, if not completed quickly enough, can lead to application slowdowns or system crashes.

DASD-Plus Alert (formerly known as disk/HUNTER) supports IBM iSeries system and application availability by providing real-time spike detection, notification services and automated data collection/analysis. The analysis provides system operators with the detailed, root-cause information they need to take corrective action.

Today, if iSeries disk utilization starts to climb because of a runaway job or query, and is undetected, the system can crash. If an operator notices this growth, it is very difficult to identify which job(s) are consuming disk resources. Even if there are a small number of jobs, the objects that are consuming disk resources are detected.

Key benefits

Simple
Allows the system operator to easily configure the utility and set up threshold indicators. These indicators can be used to easily identify disk consumption based on threshold and the jobs, objects and users responsible. Immediate action can be taken to preserve valuable disk resources.

Automated
Since the utility runs as a low-impact background job, the high cost of dedicated, manual monitoring is eliminated, and the root-cause detail it provides helps to avoid strategic application downtime which is not only very expensive, but politically dangerous.

Informative
With DASD-Plus Alert, the system operator can take appropriate action to correct the problem much more quickly and with accurate information (as opposed to guesses), potentially averting system downtime and the cost/crisis that follows.

Reporting
DASD-Plus Alert includes the following reports:

Consumption by Job: Identifies the jobs depleting disk space. The jobs, that have exceeded threshold values, can be quickly identified so immediate action can be taken.

Identification of Objects: Identify the objects that are growing and consuming disk space. The object name and type are shown to assist in determining the root cause of disk consumption.

User Profile Storage: The top 20 consumers of disk storage are listed. The users, which have shown increased storage from the last collection session, will be shown allowing the system operator to take appropriate action.

Job Temporary Storage: Lists the top 20 jobs that are consuming temporary storage. The storage, in megabytes, for each job, user and number are displayed. These jobs can be easily monitored.

IFS Storage Increase: Details the change in disk consumption by user, object and type in the IFS. The object name and path where the object is located is listed for easy access.

DASD-Plus Alert Events: Reports the threshold history of the product. The date, time and overall storage growth details are shown.

Easy Configuration
DASD-Plus Alert is easily configured from one main menu and once complete, the settings are recognized throughout the product. These settings and configuration can be done while the monitor is active and customized per auxiliary storage pool. To facilitate the tracking and diagnostics process, administrators can customize the report names and job description in the DASD-Plus Alert attributes.