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  • MPG Bumps Performance and Capacity Planning Capabilities

    May 12, 2009 Dan Burger

    During the past 11 years, Midrange Performance Group‘s Performance Navigator has provided users of the IBM AS/400, iSeries, System i, and Power i with a ton of performance and capacity data that has been used to plan server consolidations, manage systems, improve performance, and increase workload efficiency.

    In Version 14, Performance Navigator has been upgraded to support the latest IBM i hardware including the Power 6+ processor models, blade processors, SAS RAID disk controllers, and support for Solid State Disk. For the details on the Power 6+ IBM boxes, see New Power6+ Iron: The Feeds and Speeds and for the scoop on IBM’s storage upgrades, see Sundry Spring Power Systems Storage Enhancements.

    PerfNav is being used by more than 1,000 customers, according to MPG, and is known for its “What-If” technology that supports modeling of current workloads. The what-if scenarios can be applied to multiple targets that vary from down-rev servers to the latest technologies for the purpose of determining the performance effect(s) of investing in new processors, controllers, and disk.

    One of the advantages of this software is the capability to examine recurring periods of noticeable performance problems, such as end of day, end of month, or during long backups. The drill-down features and analytical capabilities are where Performance Navigator is at its best. It is often used by companies planning system upgrades because the tool is pre-loaded with the performance capabilities of the IBM i product line.

    Because of the increasing complexity and price/performance of the IBM Power Systems and the current economic environment, MPG President Randy Watson believes there will be an increased evaluation and review of hardware and software options as customers modernize their infrastructure and implement cost-reduction programs.

    PerfNav Version 14 introduces several new functions and features for the day-to-day management of data center servers, including more than 20 graphs and reports. Systems administrators may be particularly interested in the four current day graphs that support “drill-down” capability to help with problem determination. Also, several new scripts provide analysis summaries for DASD, ODBC, response time, service level, and an enterprise performance overview covering all resources in an enterprise.

    MPG’s Performance Navigator is a Windows program that connects to IBM i servers (V3R2 through V5R2) and downloads raw performance data via ODBC. The tool offers nearly 100 colorful graphs and reports that show how server performance has changed over time and how the server will likely perform in the future. It tracks many performance attributes, including job type, job priority, users, actual and logical CPUs, application response time, disk utilization, and memory pools.

    By the way, Performance Navigator also supports Solaris and HP-UX.

    MPG is also introducing a new pricing model with Version 14 that permits customers to select either an “All-LAPR” Entitlement or the “Standard” Entitlement of LPARs 1, 2, and 3. MPG expects a large majority of customers will require the Standard Entitlement.

    MPG offers free downloads of a limited version of Performance Navigator from its Web site. This version lets users track the use of CPU and disk space. Users must purchase a key code from MPG to activate the full capabilities of Performance Navigator. Licenses for Performance Navigator 14 start at $4,295, for access to one OS/400 server and up to three LPARs (Standard Entitlement). Customers requiring four or more LPARs will pay $5,795 per server. In both instances, an annual maintenance fee of 20 percent is added to the license fee. Discounts apply for purchases involving multiple servers up to a total of 20. At that point the total cost is capped.

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    Sponsored by
    Krengeltech

    When it comes to consuming web APIs on your IBM i, your options often boil down to one of two things:

    First, you end up having to rely on a variety of open source and non-RPG solutions. This adds developer complexity, taking away time that could have been better spent invested in other projects. Of course, open source software is free, but generally comes at the cost of no professional support, which adds an element of risk in your production environment. RXS is completely professionally supported, and is complemented by a staff of trained IBM i developers who can address your nuanced development challenges, head on.

    Second, if you choose not to pursue an open-source solution, you’re often left having to shake up your current program architecture with proprietary software, external dependencies, and partial RPG implementations – many of which are sub-par compared to RPG-XML Suite’s wide range of features. RXS aims to simplify the efforts of developers with tools like code generators, useful commands, and subprocedures written in 100% RPG – no Java. Because they are entirely RPG, the RXS subprocedures are easy to add to new or existing ILE programs and architecture, helping to cut your development time. RPG-XML Suite offers powerful capabilities in an accessible, easy-to-implement format.

    With RPG-XML Suite, you can accomplish a variety of complex tasks, such as:

    • Calling REST and SOAP web services from your IBM i
    • Offering APIs from your IBM i
    • Creating JSON & XML
    • Parsing JSON & XML
    • Text manipulation, Base64 encoding/decoding, CCSID handling, hashing and encryption functions, and more.

    To try RXS for yourself, we recommend a free proof of concept, which not only gives you access to all of RPG-XML Suite’s subprocedures and utilities but also includes a tailor-made software demonstration that can be used as a starting point for your future API implementations.

    For a free proof of concept, contact us at sales@krengeltech.com, or visit our website for more information.

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    SAP Boots Business ByDesign SaaS Apps to 2010? A Not-Quite-As-Sleepy RPG Program

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Volume 9, Number 19 -- May 12, 2009
THIS ISSUE SPONSORED BY:

Fujitsu PROGRESSION
Help/Systems
Seagull Software
SkyView Partners
Guild Companies

Table of Contents

  • JDA Previews New GUI for MMS at User Conference
  • ARCAD Moves Open Systems Initiative Forward with Application Lifecycle Management Software
  • Vision Updates iTERA and MIMIX for i OS HA
  • Key Announces GA of Smart i Appliance for BI
  • Oracle Refreshes JD Edwards World, Updates Tools for EnterpriseOne
  • Surround Tech Generates .NET Interfaces for i OS Apps
  • MPG Bumps Performance and Capacity Planning Capabilities
  • Query/400 Alternative from BCD Enhances BI Capabilities
  • Spool File Distribution Gets Smarter with New inFORM Tool
  • Rimini Street Says JD Edwards Support Business Quadrupled Last Year

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