PM for Power Systems

PM Agent does not require any activation (setup, configuration or similar) to start collecting data. The PM Agent performance data (file QA1PONE) is automatically collected when the system is started and if Collection Services are running. 

You will need to activate PM Agent to transmit the data. You can activate PM Agent either during IPL or interactively. SNA is the default communication protocol that is used and it is recommended that you use Electronic Service Agent (ESA).

NOTE: SNA as a communication protocol has been withdrawn as a method to transmit PM for Power Systems - System i performance data. Please see the following link for key dates and information on the recommendation of using Electronic Service Agent for transmitting PM for System i performance data.

• Learn more (34KB)

For additional information on configuring ESA, please refer to the following:

• PM for Power Systems Transmission (IBM i) FAQ
• How to Send PM Agent Data on Supported i5/OS Releases

Getting Started at IPL time
If PM Agent is not activated on your system, following an IPL you will receive a message CPAB02A which will ask you whether you want to send data to IBM by activating PM Agent. This message will be sent to the QSYSOPR message queue. By responding to the message with "G", PM Agent will proceed with the activation.

After successful activation, a message CPIB02B will be sent to the QSYSOPR message queue telling you that your PM Agent is activated.

Getting Started at anytime
If there was an error during at IPL or you wish to activate PM Agent at anytime (V5R4 or earlier):

• Sign on as QSECOFR
• Type CFGPM400 and accept the default responses

If there was an error during at IPL or you wish to activate PM Agent at anytime (V6R1 or later):

• Sign on as QSECOFR
• Type CFGPMAGT
• Answer 1 = Send data with Service Agent in the connectivity question
• Answer 0 = No in the receive question.

After successful activation, a screen will appear indicating that PM Agent has been successfully activated.

If PM Agent is not successfully activated...
In case of error during activation, a message CPIB02C will be received on the QSYSOPR message queue indicating that PM Agent was not activated.

For release-specific information about PM Agent activation, please refer to the IBM Software technical document.

Special instructions for supporting Shared Processor Pool Graphs
To configure PM for Power Systems in support of the Shared Processor Pool Graphs on IBM i, please follow these instructions / requirements:

• Ensure currency on all IBM i PTF’s
• IBM Power 5 hardware or above
• Minimum of one partition running IBM i V5R4 or later
• Enable the IBM i partition for the collection of the shared pool and system wide processor utilization data before it is transmitted to IBM. The following settings are required to do this:
  • On an HMC: check 'allow performance information collection' on the partition properties / hardware / processors tab
  • If using IVM: on the 'lssyscfg' command, specify the 'all_perf_collection' to '1' to allow authority. (Note: the default is '0')

Special instructions for supporting System View Graphs
To configure PM for Power Systems in support of the total System View Graphs on IBM i, please follow these instructions / requirements:

• IBM Power 6 hardware or above
• Minimum of one partition running IBM i V6R1M0 or newer
• Minimum firmware level xx340_061 or higher
• Enable the IBM i partition for the collection of the shared pool and system wide processor utilization data before it is transmitted to IBM. The following settings are required to do this:
  • On an HMC: check 'allow performance information collection' on the partition properties / hardware / processors tab
  • If using IVM: on the 'lssyscfg' command, specify the 'all_perf_collection' to '1' to allow authority. (Note: the default is '0')

Verifying PM Agent setup
To verify the setup, please do the following tasks:

• Type GO PM400 to access the PM Agent menu
• Select option 1. Work with Contact Information. Verify your name, email and address are correct

NOTE: You can access the PM for Power Systems menu at any time to tailor PM Agent for your system.

IBM i problem handling
If you have a question about activating PM Agent on IBM System i, please refer to the IBM representative contact list.

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AIX 6.1 TL06 SP3 and AIX 7.1 TL 00 SP2 and higher 

To activate PM AIX Collection Agent please do the following steps:

• Beginning with the installation of AIX 6.1 TL06 SP3 and AIX 7.1 TL 00 SP2, the PM AIX Collection Agent which collects performance data will automatically create and populate the PM data file needed for subsequent transmission to IBM as part of the PM for Power Systems process. The automated PM performance data file collection is an integrated function within topas, the integrated performance data collector within AIX. The user will no longer need to run the 'smit topas' or 'smit SetUpPM' commands to start creation of the file.

Determine what method to submit performance data to IBM
You can use either Hardware Management Console (HMC) or Electronic Service Agent (ESA) to send your AIX performance data to IBM. It is not recommend that you use both HMC and ESA to send performance data to IBM.

If your server is managed by an HMC server, there is no additional setup needed on your HMC to send performance data to IBM. You can optionally change the time that the HMC collects the performance data by doing the following steps:

• Connect to HMC web site and login
• Select 'Service Management' on the left side of the HMC web interface
• Select 'Transmit Service Information' in the center HMC web interface
• Enter the desired time in the 'Performance management transmission:' section*
• Click 'OK' to save the changes

If you would like to use ESA, do the following steps to configure Electronic Service Agent on each of your servers:

• Login as root
• At # prompt, type 'smit' and press ENTER
• Select 'Electronic Service Agent' from the main smit menu
• Select 'Configure Electronic Service Agent'
• Enter Contact & Address information
• Confirm test was successful
• Note the port # to access the web interface
• Connect to ESA web page (change servername and port to match your server):
  https://servername:5024/esa/login.faces
• Login as root
• Select 'Settings'
• Select 'Performance management collection'
• Enter the desired time to send the AIX performance information to IBM*
• Click 'OK' to save the changes

Important Note: You must update the Customer Information option to ensure it includes email address and correct country code.  The email provided should be for a person responsible for maintaining system performance.

* The PM AIX Collection Agent generates the previous day's performance file just before midnight. So it is recommended that you set ESA or HMC to send the performance file after the file is created. Example: 01:00 am.

AIX V6.1 TL 3, AIX V5.3 TL 9 and higher releases of both but prior to AIX 6.1 TL06 SP3 and AIX 7.1 TL 00 SP2

To activate PM AIX Collection Agent please do the following steps:

• Determine what method to submit performance data to IBM
• Configure and activate PM AIX Collection Agent on each server/partition
• Manually submit server performance data to IBM to verify that Service Agent has picked up the file
• Complete Performance Management Registration

For more information, please refer to the following:

• Performance Management for Power Systems PM Collection Agent for AIX and VIOS - Setup (1.93MB)

Shared Processor Pool graph enablement:
Support is provided for AIX 7.1.0.0 TL 00 and TL 01 and AIX 6.1.0.0 TL 06 and TL07 via ifix download. Prior AIX releases and TL’s are not supported

Download of the ifix includes 4 basic steps.

The 4 basic steps necessary to enable this function are:

1) Determine the appropriate release of AIX for which the Shared Processor Pool ifix package is needed
2) Visit Developer Works web site to access the ifix package to download
3) Transfer the ifix package to the AIX server
4) Install the ifix package on the AIX server

To enable shared pool graphs, customers must also select a new TOPAS option. From the command prompt, type: 'smit topas' ---> Setup Performance Management ---> Change/Show HMC Information and enter HMC name and user name.

This ‘ReadMe’ file contains the detailed instructions for each of the steps plus other critical information.

ReadMe.txt (4KB)

Determine what method to submit performance data to IBM
You can use either Hardware Management Console (HMC) or Electronic Service Agent (ESA) to send your AIX performance data to IBM. It is not recommend that you use both HMC and ESA to send performance data to IBM.

If your server is managed by an HMC server, there is no additional setup needed on your HMC to send performance data to IBM. You can optionally change the time that the HMC collects the performance data by doing the following steps:

• Connect to HMC web site and login
• Select 'Service Management' on the left side of the HMC web interface
• Select 'Transmit Service Information' in the center HMC web interface
• Enter the desired time in the 'Performance management transmission:' section*
• Click 'OK' to save the changes

If you would like to use ESA, do the following steps to configure Electronic Service Agent on each of your servers:

• Login as root
• At # prompt, type 'smit' and press ENTER
• Select 'Electronic Service Agent' from the main smit menu
• Select 'Configure Electronic Service Agent'
• Enter Contact & Address information
• Confirm test was successful
• Note the port # to access the web interface
• Connect to ESA web page (change servername and port to match your server):
  https://servername:5024/esa/login.faces
• Login as root
• Select 'Settings'
• Select 'Performance management collection'
• Enter the desired time to send the AIX performance information to IBM*
• Click 'OK' to save the changes

Important Note: You must update the Customer Information option to ensure it includes email address and correct country code.  The email provided should be for a person responsible for maintaining system performance.

* The PM AIX Collection Agent generates the previous day's performance file just before midnight. So it is recommended that you set ESA or HMC to send the performance file after the file is created. Example: 01:00 am.

Configure and activate PM AIX Collection Agent on each server/partition
Telnet to each server and do the following steps to configure and activate the PM AIX Collection Agent:

• Login as root
• At # prompt, type 'smit topas' and press ENTER
• Select 'List active Recordings' and confirm there is an active recording
• Press ESC+3 to go back to main 'Topas' menu
• Select 'Setup Performance Management'
• Select 'Change/Show Customer Information'
• Enter your company and contact information and press ENTER to save
• Press ESC+3 to go back to 'Setup Performance Management' menu
• Select 'Enable Data Transmission'
• Your server is now ready to generate a performance file to be picked up by ESA or HMC to be sent to IBM

Important Note: You must update the Customer Information option to ensure it includes email address and correct country code. The email provided should be for a person responsible for maintaining system performance.

Manually submit server performance data to IBM to verify that Service Agent has picked up the file
Wait one day before attempting to send the performance data to IBM. Depending on your transmission method, do the following steps to manually send performance data to IBM and view log files to verify that it was successfully sent.

To manually send AIX performance data from HMC do the following steps:

• Connect to HMC web site and login
• Select ‘Service Management’ on the left side of the HMC web interface
• Select ‘Transmit Service Information’ in the center HMC web interface
• Click the ‘Send’ button in the ‘Performance management transmission:’ area
• Click ‘OK’ to close the information dialog
• Click ‘OK’ to close the ‘Transmit Service Information’ dialog
• Click ‘OK’ to close the information dialog
• Click ‘HMC Management’ on the left side of the HMC web interface
• Click ‘View HMC Events’ in the center HMC web interface
• If you see the ‘Successfully transmitted performance information’ message, you have correctly configured PM AIX Collection Agent.

To manually send AIX performance data from ESA do the following steps:

• Connect to ESA web page (change server name and port to match your server):
  https://servername:5024/esa/login.faces
• Login as root
• Select ‘Settings’
• Select ‘Service information’
• Check the box in front of ‘Performance Management’
• Change the ‘Performance Management’ combo box to be ‘Collect Information’
• Click “Go’
• Click ‘OK’ to close the information dialog
• Click ‘OK’ to close the ‘Service information’ dialog
• Select ‘Activity log’
• If you see the ‘Performance Management data sent.’ Message, you have correctly configured PM AIX Collection Agent.

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AIX V6.1 TL2, AIX 5.3 TL8 and prior releases (pmaix.rte) 

A new PM AIX Collection Agent is now integrated within the AIX operating system starting with AIX 5.3 TL 9 and AIX 6.1 TL 3.

If you have upgraded to this version, the original AIX Performance Collector (pmaix.rte) is no longer available. Please use the other activation instructions:

• Activating PM AIX Collection Agent on AIX V6.1 TL 3, AIX V5.3 TL 9 and higher releases of both

To activate PM AIX Collection Agent, please do the following steps:

• Activate and configure Electronic Service Agent
• Install PM for Power Systems client code
• Verify that Service Agent is transmitting PM for Power Systems data
• Complete Performance Management Registration

Install and configure Electronic Service Agent
Important: If you are planning on using Electronic Service Agent (ESA) via HMC on a POWER5 or POWER6 server to transmit your PM for Power Systems AIX data to IBM, please be aware that your email address may not be transmitted to IBM. This could delay the process of getting your registration letter.

To remedy the situation, please do the following steps:

Install PTF MH01162 - HMC V7 R3.4.0 Service Pack 2 update package to your HMC

Note: PM for Power Systems AIX data can transfer to IBM today via ESA installation in the partition. In this case, the partition communicates directly with IBM without HMC involvement

Electronic Service Agent can be activated and configured at any time at no cost. However, it must be activated and configured before the PM for Power Systems client code will install. Electronic Service Agent now supports a secure connection via the internet.

NOTE: If you have AIX V5.3 TL6 or higher; the Electronic Service Agent is already installed. You will still need to install the Collection Agent. If you are running AIX V5.2, please refer to the following on how to download and install Electronic Service Agent.

To obtain Electronic Service Agent and for more information, please refer to the following section:

• Electronic Service Agent

Install PM for Power Systems client code (Collection Agent)
After the Electronic Service Agent code has been activated on a client, the PM for Power Systems (Collection Agent) client code may be installed.

The PM for Power Systems code cannot be installed if Electronic Service Agent is not present/activated on a system - installation will fail.

As of January 1, 2008, all AIX partitions must now be using the most current PM for Power Systems Collection Agent (6.0.6.0). The latest PM for Power Systems (Collection Agent) client code and user's guide can be obtained by anonymous download from the FTP site and directory. For additional information, please refer to the following:

NOTE: The pmaix.rte file on the FTP site should be dated 1/27/2009 12:00:00 AM. When installing, it may show an incorrect version installed (version 5.4.2.4); however, the correct 6.0.6.0 version will be installed to your server.

• Graph Reference Document (2.73MB)

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The client code may be downloaded and installed without being prompted for a password or entitlement verification, however no data will be processed unless the system you have installed is entitled and registered for service.

Verify that Electronic Service Agent is transmitting PM for Power Systems performance data:

• Type smit (in lower-case) to activate the System Agent interface
• Select Problem Determination
• Select Service Agent User Interface
• Select Advanced Graphical or Advanced Text User Interface
• Log into UI
• Open the network folder
• Open the machine folder for the machine of interest
• Select Performance Management
• Fill in the parameters for Performance Management and select OK
• Select Manual Tools
• Select Performance Management
• Select machine of interest
• Click Send Performance Management to IBM
• Select CallLog
• Verify successful transmission of PM data

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Registration of a server or LPAR is a process that you complete once the PM data has been successfully transmitted to IBM and you have received the e–mail containing the registration key. The registration entails the following steps: 

• Create or modify a Performance Management group
• Register the entitled systems under your group
• Set user access to view your reports

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Problems should continue to be submitted to IBM using normal country procedures already defined for "Electronic Service Agent" support for: 

• Any problems related to the activation or operation of the "Electronic Service Agent”
• The transmission of customer data from "Electronic Service Agent" to IBM

If you experience any problems with activating and using PM AIX Collection Agent, please contact your in country IBM AIX support or refer to the IBM representative contact list. For faster resolution, prior to submitting your problem, we recommend you review the PM AIX Collection Agent frequently asked questions (FAQ’s).

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