IBM System z Software Pricing

Sysplex Calculator (PLEXCALC) Overview

The Sysplex Calculator is a new, no-charge, downloadable tool from IBM that can help you assess whether your Parallel Sysplex qualifies for aggregation. This tool is designed to analyze Systems Measurement Facility (SMF) data from two or more machines and produce a report describing which Parallel Sysplex each machine belongs to, if any, based upon the 50 percent criterion stated on this website.

The Sysplex Calculator is designed to analyze SMF data from any mainframe running an eligible operating system that generates RMF-compliant SMF70 records. While the Sysplex Calculator is designed to assist you in determining eligibility for Parallel Sysplex Aggregation, final eligibility determination can only be made by IBM through your IBM representative.

Updated 26 August 2010 The Sysplex Calculator has been updated to correct an error in its calculations in certain circumstances on the new IBM zEnterprise 196 (z196) processors.

Updated 22 July 2010 The Sysplex Calculator has been updated to support the new IBM zEnterprise 196 (z196) processors.

Updated 17 September 2008 The Sysplex Calculator has been updated to correct a formatting error some users discovered when reporting data from zAAP/zIIP engines on z10 machines.

Updated 28 November 2007 The Sysplex Calculator has been updated to correct a formatting error some users discovered when reporting data from zAAP/zIIP engines.

Updated 13 March 2007 The Sysplex Calculator has been updated to correct a small bug some users discovered when specifying the lunch hour parameter.

Updated 2 February 2007 The Sysplex Calculator has been updated to more clearly take into account the workload dispatched onto System z Application Assist Processors (zAAPs) and System z9 Integrated Information Processors (zIIPs). Additional lines will be displayed in the Sysplex Calculator Report when zAAP or zIIP engines are found to be present.

Updated 19 December 2005 The summary statements in the header of the Sysplex Calculator Report have been updated to more clearly specify the PrimaryPlex for each machine analyzed. A sample report is available in the Sysplex Verification Package.

Updated 27 October 2005 The Sysplex Calculator has been updated to more accurately reflect IBM's true intention regarding Parallel Sysplex Aggregation criteria. The key changes are as follows:

• The Sysplex Calculator now calculates the average utilization over a 40-hour prime shift window of time.
• For better clarity, the body of the report now summarizes data as 'average MSUs consumed per hour' rather than '% of MVS workload per RMF interval'.
• The default input is now 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday (40 hours total) which represents IBM's view of 'prime shift'. The defaults may be adjusted through the parameters but it is still expected that you analyze 40 total hours from 5 consecutive business days.
• In establishing your prime shift hours, IBM will allow you to eliminate up to 2 consecutive hours per day if you wish not to consider lunchtime utilization, in the case that your lunchtime utilization patterns are not aligned with your 'prime shift' utilization patterns.
• In the event that different LPARs are running in different timezones, you may specify which LPAR represents local time (referred to as the MASTER) and all other LPAR timestamps will be adjusted to match the master.

We hope you will find these improvements helpful. If you have additional suggestions, please email them to sysplex@us.ibm.com

If you need assistance with using the Sysplex Calculator or you require assistance interpreting the Sysplex Calculator Report, please contact IBM via email: sysplex@us.ibm.com