AS400 Spool File Status Test

Spooling is a system function that saves data in a spooled file (or printer output file) for later processing or printing. When spooling is used, the spooled files are created from the application program, from a system program, or by pressing the Print key. The spooling function enables users to efficiently manage the input and output operations of the user data to be printed in the multiple-users environment. The spooled files are saved in an output queue and hold output data until it can be printed by the printer device. The files in the output queue may transit to different states while being processed by a writer. These states reveal the stages at which your printing process is currently in. The progression of the printing process mainly depends upon the sequential and error-free processing of the spooled files i.e., the state of the files should transit smoothly. For any reason, if the spooled files are stuck in any particular state for a prolonged time, the printing process will be delayed or stopped permanently based on the severity of the issue. This in turn, rapidly reduces the system performance and the user's printing experience. To avoid this, administrators should closely track status of the spooled files at regular intervals. This can be achieved using the AS400 Spool File Status test!

By periodically executing this test, administrators can figure out the number of spooled files in different states. Using the metrics reported by this test, administrators can promptly detect the number of files that are stuck in the HLD (HOLD) status and take immediate steps to release the files from the HOLD status.

Target of the test : An AS400 Server

Agent deploying the test : An external/remote agent

Outputs of the test : One set of results for the AS400 server being monitored.

Configurable parameters for the test
Parameter Description

Test Period

How often should the test be executed.

Host

The IP address of the host for which this test is to be configured.

Port

The port at which the specified host listens. By default, this is NULL.

ServerName

This test connects to the AS400 server being monitored to extract the required metrics. Therefore, specify the name of the AS400 server to connect to in the ServerName text box.

UserID

To enable the test to login to the specified AS400 server, you need to provide the test with the credentials of a valid user to the AS400 server. Hence, specify a valid userid.

Password

Provide the Password that corresponds to the specified UserID.

Confirm Password

Confirm the password by retyping it in the Confirm Password text box.

DD Frequency

Refers to the frequency with which detailed diagnosis measures are to be generated for this test. The default is 1:1. This indicates that, by default, detailed measures will be generated every time this test runs, and also every time the test detects a problem. You can modify this frequency, if you so desire. Also, if you intend to disable the detailed diagnosis capability for this test, you can do so by specifying none against DD frequency.

Detailed Diagnosis

To make diagnosis more efficient and accurate, the eG Enterprise embeds an optional detailed diagnostic capability. With this capability, the eG agents can be configured to run detailed, more elaborate tests as and when specific problems are detected. To enable the detailed diagnosis capability of this test for a particular server, choose the On option. To disable the capability, click on the Off option.

The option to selectively enable/disable the detailed diagnosis capability will be available only if the following conditions are fulfilled:

  • The eG manager license should allow the detailed diagnosis capability
  • Both the normal and abnormal frequencies configured for the detailed diagnosis measures should not be 0.
Measurements made by the test
Measurement Description Measurement Unit Interpretation

Spooled files in clear

Indicates the number of spooled files that are in various states such as OPN, RDY, CLO, SAV, MSGW, PND, and PRT states.

Number

The spooled files might have any one of the following states:

  • RDY (Ready) status - Indicates the file is available to be written to the printer device by a writer.
  • OPN (Open) status - The file has not been completely processed, and is not ready to be selected by the writer.
  • CLO (Closed) - In this state, the file has been completely processed by a program but SCHEDULE(*JOBEND) was specified and the job that produced the file has not yet finished.
  • PND (Pending) - The spooled files to be printed are pending.
  • PRT (Printing) - This states indicates that the spooled files have been completely sent to the printer but print complete status has not been sent back.
  • SAV (Saving) - In this state, the files will be written and saved until they are released for printing.
  • MSGW (Message Wait) - When a file encountered a run time error, then the program halts execution and waits for the user reply. This stage is known as a MSGW status of a file.

Spooled files in warning

Indicates the number of spooled files that are in the WTR status.

Number

In the WTR (Writer) state, the files will be produced by the writer on an output device.

Spooled files in critical

Indicates the number of spooled files that are in the HLD state.

Number

The spooled files being processed by the writer may be moved to a HOLD (HLD) status. The files stuck in this state cannot be printed automatically but have to be released by the administrator manually to get printed. This will cause a processing overhead on the printer device. Therefore, the value of this measure is desired to be low.