HP 3000 Manuals

HP LaserRX/MPE User's Manual: Analysis Software

Try Out Some New Features 

Follow along using HP LaserRX/MPE to see some of these changes in more
detail.  You'll discover that not only have we added a new menu item and
changed several commands, we've also added new options on some of the
dialog boxes.

Getting Logfile Info 

First, return to the File menu and use the Open Local command to open a
logfile.  Notice that the dialog box now has a Logfile Info button:


          Figure 3-8.  Open Local Dialog Box 

   *   Select the DEMO.PRF logfile from the Files list box.

       Choosing a logfile enables the Logfile Info button.

       DEMO.PRF is provided in the new B release format.  Remember that
       any A format logfiles cannot be accessed from this B release of HP
       LaserRX/MPE until you convert them on the host.

   *   Click on Logfile Info to find the type of data and date ranges
       contained in a highlighted logfile.


          Figure 3-9.  Logfile Info Dialog Box 

The information displayed includes the following:

   *   Logfile name.
   *   System ID.
   *   Collector type and version.
   *   Extractor version.
   *   Date created.
   *   Time created.
   *   First date in the logfile.
   *   Last date in the logfile.
   *   Weekends (excluded from or included in the data).
   *   Shift start time.
   *   Shift stop time.
   *   Logfile data types.

You can find out from what system a logfile was extracted (MPE V or MPE
XL), when it was extracted, and what the extraction parameters were (such
as whether weekend data is included).  You can also see whether disc
space data is included, as well as global, application, and process
detail data and global and application summary data.

The Logfile Info button also appears on the Open Remote dialog box.  When
you are finished looking at this screen, click  OK to return to the Open
Local dialog box.  Click  OK to open the logfile.  The Status bar informs
you if you have successfully opened the logfile.


NOTE  What you see on your screen and the pictures in this document may
      vary in detail, particularly in listed files and directories.

      Similarly, graphs may not look exactly the same since they are
      drawn from different logfiles.


Using the Draw Graphs Command 

Now let's look at the new Draw Graphs dialog box.  Click on Draw again.
You will get the new dialog box.


NOTE  There is no need to drag the mouse to open the Draw menu unless you
      also have HP RXForecast on your PC. HP RXForecast adds items to
      your HP LaserRX/MPE Draw menu.



          Figure 3-10.  Draw Graphs Dialog Box 

You know from looking at the Logfile Info screen that DEMO.PRF contains
data for global and application graphs only.  (Sample disc space data is
contained in DEMODISC.PRF.)

New Graphs.     

There are nine new graph types:

   *   Global Queue Depth.
   *   Global Jobs & Sessions.
   *   Application Response States.
   *   Application Queue Depth.
   *   Application Resource Usage.
   *   Disc Space.
   *   Disc Free Space.
   *   Disc Space Users.
   *   Disc Space--Transient/Virtual.
       If the logfile highlighted in the Available Logfiles list box
       contains MPE V data, the Disc Space--Virtual graph type is listed.
       If it contains MPE XL data, the Disc Space--Transient graph is
       listed.

New Global Graphs.     

Use DEMO.PRF to look at the two new Global graphs.

   1.  Verify that DEMO.PRF is selected (highlighted).

   2.  Verify that Points Every is set to Hour.

   3.  Leave all other options at their defaults.

   4.  Select Global Jobs & Sessions.

   5.  Select Global Queue Depth.

       Notice that Global Jobs & Sessions remained highlighted or
       selected.  You click on a graph selection again to deselect it.

   6.  Deselect any other highlighted graph types (Global Bottlenecks).

   7.  Select  OK to draw the two graphs.


          Figure 3-11.  Global Jobs & Sessions Graph 

The Global Jobs & Sessions graph, as explained earlier, shows the average
number of interactive sessions and batch jobs that were logged on and
busy.  Y-Axis scaling is automatic.


          Figure 3-12.  Global Queue Depth Graph 

The Global Queue Depth graph shows how many processes, on the average,
were waiting on the four key system resources throughout the day.  A
queue depth of 1.0 on the CPU line means an average of one process was
using, or waiting on, the CPU. A queue depth of 1.0 on the impede line
means an average of one process was waiting for a software lock or latch
(such as database lock) during that time.

Use Screen/Menu Help to get information about the variables on these two
graphs or refer to Appendix A .

Close the two global graphs.

New Application Graphs.     

Now draw the new application graphs.

   1.  Click on Draw.

   2.  Verify that Points Every is set to Hour.

   3.  Select:

          a.  Application Response States.

          b.  Application Queue Depth.

          c.  Application Resource Usage.

   4.  Click on the global graphs to deselect them.

   5.  Select  OK to draw the three graphs.


          Figure 3-13.  New Application Graphs 

The initial Application Response States graph shows the top five
applications ranked by CPU usage.  Use the vertical scroll bar to select
an individual application's graph showing the components of response
time.

You can use this graph to get some idea of what activities comprise the
time spent processing user transactions.  The application can be using
CPU or waiting for CPU, for disc, for memory, or a software lock or latch
(impede).  Knowing what slows an application down over time can help
determine how to make it go faster.

The initial Application Queue Depth graph shows the top five applications
ranked by the average number of processes queued for CPU. Use the
vertical scroll bar to select an individual application's graph showing
the average number of processes that are using or queued for CPU, disc,
memory, or software locks and latches (impedes).

You may notice certain times of the day where a bottleneck occurs for
this application, which may not be a system-wide bottleneck.  You may see
a large impede queue called by processes in the application contending
for the same TurboImage data base, for example.

The initial Application Resource Usage graph shows the top five
applications ranked by terminal transaction rates.  Use the vertical
scroll bar to select an individual application's graph showing how that
application used CPU and disc for each terminal transaction.

This graph is most useful for interactive transaction-oriented
applications since it shows the amount of CPU and the number of physical
disc transfers required for each terminal transaction that is processed.
If these values change, then you can assume that either the type of
transaction was changing or some condition had caused a change in
resource usage per transaction (for example, a data base in need of
reorganizing).

Use Screen/Menu Help to get information about the variables on these
graphs or refer to appendix A of this document.  Use the vertical scroll
bar just as you already do with other application graphs.

Leave one of these graphs open to try out the new Zoom Application and
Zoom Process commands.  The important thing to notice is that you can
zoom-by-application and then zoom-by-process on the same graph, which
makes this detail data more readily available.

When you are finished trying the Zoom Application and Zoom Process
commands, close the open graph and any detail windows created.

New Disc Space Graphs.     

Now draw the new disc space graphs.

   1.  Open the DEMODISC.PRF logfile.

   2.  Click on Draw.

       As the Status Bar warns, not all available graph types are listed.
       Because disc space data is collected only once a day, the four
       disc space graph types cannot be drawn unless Points Every is Day.
       When you change Points Every to Day, the disc space graphs are
       immediately added to the list of available graphs.

   3.  Select Points Every Day.

   4.  Select:

          a.  Disc Space.

          b.  Disc Free Space.

          c.  Disc Space Users.

          d.  Disc Space--Transient.

   5.  Click on the application graphs to deselect them.

       Any time you draw graphs, their highlighted names in the Available
       Graphs list box remain highlighted until you click on them again
       to deselect them.  This is important to remember because sometimes
       the previously highlighted graph name has scrolled out of view.

   6.  Select  OK to draw the four graphs.


          Figure 3-14.  Disc Space Graphs 

The Disc Space graph shows how total disc capacity was utilized over
time.  Files mean permanent disc files, virtual (or transient) means code
and data swapping area.  Unused disc space can be free for use by
permanent disc files, virtual or transient swapping area, or (on MPE XL)
both.  Use log scaling for greater readability of variables plotted near
the X-Axis.  Y-Axis scaling is automatic.

The Disc Free Space graph shows available free space over time and gives
an indication of fragmentation.  If disc space consists mainly of small
pieces, then compacting the discs (by doing a reload, for example) can
often improve performance.  The top line of this graph shows the total
amount of free space while the colors indicate the degree of
fragmentation.  Y-Axis scaling is automatic.

The Disc Space Users graph shows who was using the permanent disc space.
By default, the categories are MPE accounts, although you can form your
own disc space groupings.  The first graph shows the five accounts using
the most space.  You may use the vertical scroll bar to select any
account.  This is very helpful to see how an account's disc space usage
has changed over the long term.  Y-Axis scaling is automatic.

See the HP LaserRX/MPE User's Manual:  Collection Software for an
explanation of disc space groupings.

The Disc Space--Transient (MPE XL) and Disc Space--Virtual (MPE V) graphs
concentrate on conditions where the system may be running out of disc
space.  It shows permanent disc space and transient disc space, as well
as how much free space is available for each.  You might use this graph
to reserve more or less space for transient or virtual use on your
system.  Y-Axis scaling is automatic.

Use Screen/Menu Help to get information about the variables on these
graphs or refer to Appendix A .

Close the graphs.

Exporting Data 

Two commands, Export Window and Export Logfile, let you export data.

Export Window.     

The Export Window command functions like the old Xport command, with one
difference:  you can now export graphic data in the TIFF format.  The
TIFF format is used by many other PC applications, which makes it easier
to copy HP LaserRX/MPE graphs into them.

Using the Export Window command, you can export only as much data as will
fit in the window that you are exporting.


          Figure 3-15.  Export Window Dialog Box 

Export Logfile.     

When you open a logfile, you enable the Export Logfile command.  You
don't have to have a window open to export data using this command.

The Export Logfile command extends the capabilities of the Export Window
command.  It allows you to export the same type of data (application and
process detail), but it doesn't restrict how much data you export.


CAUTION  Do not export large volumes of data with the Export Logfile
         command until you become familiar with the time it takes for the
         operation.  See "Tips" .



          Figure 3-16.  Export Logfile Dialog Box 

The Export Logfile dialog box includes options familiar from the Draw
Graphs and Export Window dialog boxes.  You can toggle between
application and process data types to determine which type of data is to
be exported.  You can also choose to turn report headings on or off.

In addition, the Export Logfile Filters dialog box is available through
the Next button.  It provides an application filter capability that
allows you to export logfile data from a specific application.


          Figure 3-17.  Export Logfile Filters Dialog Box 

Connecting and Disconnecting 

The File Connect command has changed to the File Connect LAN and the File
Connect Serial commands.  These commands get you to the Connect LAN and
Connect Serial dialog boxes.


          Figure 3-18.  Connect LAN Dialog Box 


          Figure 3-19.  Connect Serial Dialog Box 

You must now provide the logon user and account information, along with
necessary passwords.  You can enter a logon string (up to 72 characters
long) in which you can specify such things as custom session names.  (All
passwords are encrypted; they appear as a series of "@" symbols when they
are displayed.)


CAUTION  Logging into a group other than SCOPE.SYS will prevent MPE V
         systems from finding the remote data communication library.
         Logging into a different group will only work if a copy of
         SL.SCOPE.SYS is made in the logon group.

         We strongly recommend that you log into SCOPE.SYS to avoid
         having to repeat this copy with every HP LaserRX/MPE software
         update.

         This is not a problem on MPE XL systems if default security is
         used for the SCOPE.SYS group.


Passwords are now encrypted here as well as in the Configure Serial
Connect and Configure LAN Connect dialog boxes.

You can connect to a maximum of five systems in the same session of HP
LaserRX/MPE: five LAN or one serial and four LAN.

As a consequence, a new Disconnect LAN dialog box let's you choose the
system or systems from which to disconnect.


          Figure 3-20.  Disconnect LAN Dialog Box 

Configuring HP LaserRX/MPE Options 

There has also been a change to the Configure Options dialog box.


          Figure 3-21.  Options Dialog Box 

Auto Connect Selection.     

The Remote File Access option (located in the upper left-hand corner of
the dialog box) of previous releases of HP LaserRX/MPE has been renamed
the Auto Connect Selection.

This option works in conjunction with Auto Connect.  When Auto Connect is
checked, HP LaserRX/MPE uses whatever is checked--Serial or LAN--to
determine whether it looks at your serial or LAN connection configuration
when HP LaserRX/MPE is invoked.  It then makes one connection based on
what you specified on the Configure Serial Connect or Configure LAN
Connect dialog box.

You can automate connection to more than one machine (but not
simultaneously) using the macro function (see Chapter 8 ).

You can also use HP LaserRX/MPE batch interface commands to connect from
the MS-DOS command line.  See Chapter 9  for an explanation of HP
LaserRX/MPE batch interface commands and batch interface command file.

Auto Disconnect Option.     

If the Auto Disconnect option is enabled, the connection with the host is
automatically terminated when you exit HP LaserRX/MPE. (Note that you are
not prompted with the Logoff Host?  question.)

Black Background and Solid Lines.     

Also on the Configure Options dialog box are two new options that allow
you to change the display:  Black Background and Solid Lines.  When Black
Background is checked, the graph is displayed with a black background.
This can make it easier to see the data lines.  You can also check Solid
Lines to have the data lines displayed as unbroken lines.

Print Reduction.     

The new Print Reduction option lets you reduce print time to supported
printers by reducing the size of the graph.

MPE/iX 5.0 Documentation