Processor Graphs on IBM i
Processor cycles used are classified into one of three categories based on the job type of the
process involved for IBM i partitions:
I = Interactive (Jobtype = I)
B = Batch (Jobtype = B)
S = System
The total amount of processor cycles used is the total of these three categories and gives you an
indication of the amount of processor resource remaining available for additional workload. Batch
job throughput might decrease if the total processor utilization approaches 100%. The batch job
turn around time becomes longer due to an increase in the time that a job spends on the job
queue before becoming active.
The guidelines displayed at the bottom of the graph, under the Facts heading, depend on the
number of processors that are on the system or are defined to the LPAR. It is possible to have
close to 100% processor utilization as long as batch throughput is acceptable.
The total of the interactive and system utilization and the utilization of the system’s interactive
capacity for interactive workloads are metrics that you need to consider. Interactive is the same
as 5250 online transaction processing (OLTP) when referencing interactive CPW or interactive
capacity.
Interactive Plus System Utilization
In general, it is typical to experience long and unpredictable interactive response times when the
guidelines shown under Facts on this report are exceeded. Response times become longer
because the processor becomes busier, queues build up, and each transaction spends more time
waiting for its turn to use the CPU.
Interactive users have the best response times when the interactive plus system CPU utilization
measurement is maintained below the guidelines.
Interactive Capacity
The guideline established for interactive work is clearly less than that for interactive plus system
utilization. Some systems are limited in their interactive capability by Edition or
interactive feature
card
. The guideline shown for interactive capacity is based on the interactive threshold for that
particular Edition or of the interactive feature card.
Four graphs are available to show the processor utilization of a partition:
Average Processor Utilization in % per day (the default graph)
Usage by Hour/Average during the period
Peak
Processor
Utilization
Peak Interactive Utilization
The following sections explain each of these graphs.
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PM for Power Systems Graph Reference Document
