Db2 Direct I/O Test

This test monitors the I/O activity on the currently active logical partitions.

Target of the test : A DB2 database server with DPF enabled

Agent deploying the test : An internal agent

Outputs of the test : One set of results for every logical partition of each database on the DB2 database server that is currently active

Configurable parameters for the test
Parameter Description

Test period

How often should the test be executed

Host

The IP address of the DB2 server

Port
  • The port number through which the DB2 server communicates. The default port is 50000.
    		•

    User

    Specify the name of the user who is authorized to access the target database server and collect the required metrics in this text box. You can create a separate user on the OS hosting the DB2 server for this purpose. The steps for the same are detailed in the Creating a Special User for Monitoring DB2 Server topic.

    Password

    Enter the password of the specified USER in the PASSWORD text box.

    Confirm Password

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

    Database

    Specify the name of the database on the monitored DB2 server to be used by this test.

    Include DB

    Specify a comma-separated list of databases that you wish to monitor in the Include DB text box.

    Exclude DB

    Specify a comma-separated list of databases that need to be excluded from monitoring in the Exclude DB text box.

    SSL

    If the target database server is SSL-enabled, then set the SSL flag to Yes. If not, then set the SSL flag to No.

    Trust Store File Name

    This parameter is applicable only if the target DB2 UDB database is SSL-enabled, if not, set this parameter to none. Specify the file name of the client-side SSL truststore that contains the server certificate required for establishing an SSL connection. The truststore is used to verify the identity of the server and enable a secure communication channel.

    By default, the truststore file should be placed in:<EG_INSTALL_DIR>/jre/lib/security/mytruststore.jks

    Here, mytruststore.jks is the Truststore file name. You may change this to any valid file name. By default, none is specified against this text box.

    Trust Store Password

    This parameter is applicable only if the target DB2 UDB database is SSL-enabled, if not, set this parameter to none. If a Truststore File name is provided, then, in this text box, provide the password that is used to obtain the associated certificate details from the Truststore File. By default, this parameter is set to none.

    Confirm Password

    Confirm the Password by retyping it in the Confirm Password text box.
    Measurements made by the test
    Measurement Description Measurement Unit Interpretation

    Direct Read Rate:

    Indicates the total number of direct reads by the application per second. In other words, it is the number of read operations that do not use the buffer pool.

    Reads/Sec

    Direct reads are performed in units, the smallest being a 512-byte sector. They are used when:

    • Reading LONG VARCHAR columns
    • Reading LOB (large object) columns
    • Performing a backup

    A high value over a period of time may be indicative of a performance bottleneck.

     

    Direct Write Rate:

    Indicates the total number of direct writes by the application per second. In other words, it is the number of write operations that do not use the buffer pool.

    Writes/Sec

    Direct writes are performed in units, the smallest being a 512-byte sector. They are used when:

    • Writing LONG VARCHAR columns
    • Writing LOB (large object) columns
    • Performing a restore
    • Performing a load

    A high value over a period of time may be indicative of a performance bottleneck.

    Buffer Pool IO Rate:

    Indicates the rate at which the buffer pool I/O operations are being done in this logical partition.

    IOPS

    In conjunction with the hit ratio statistics, and the characteristics of the applications executing, the I/O load may require adjustment of BUFFPAGE, or applications may require further tuning.