Richard, I totally agree with you, but if I tell you that my current situation happened due to the "help" from IBM support, what would you answer ? I had a rock solid system running TSM 4.2.2.1, until we had a problem with a tape library wich was unable to locate some tapes, I was then asked to update the library microcode, what I did. Off course another problem appeared, that this time should be corrected by upgradation from TSM server : I followed IBM expert advices, and this was the beginning of an upgradation waltz : microcode again, server etc etc ... Until the current state ! Sorry to tell you that, but I have 3 years of practice with TSM, and from what I'm seeing since approx 6 month, the product and service quality is really sinking. Just look at this list : why are so many people asking what version of TSM they should use ? Response : because ex-tivoli/IBM is not even able to deliver a non bugged version of its product. The last time I opened a PMR with IBM, do you know what their answer was : wait until next M.L. delivery, and jump to Version 5 ! Sorry but with such conditions, I can't afford buying another 6H0 and two 3584 libraries , just to test if "experts" advice would better or impair my productive environment : I (unfortunately) have to trust them ! Please, do not consider this as a personal attack, as I consider this list (and it's eminent members) as the most reliable source of information concerning TSM, but I'm really bored getting white hair for problems that would not exist if some people had done their job properly ... Thanks anyway.
Arnaud (now calmed). =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | Arnaud Brion, Panalpina Management Ltd., IT Group | | Viaduktstrasse 42, P.O. Box, 4002 Basel - Switzerland | | Phone: +41 61 226 19 78 / Fax: +41 61 226 17 01 | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -----Original Message----- From: Richard Sims [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, 14 February, 2003 14:22 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: OS390 TSM Performance questions. >I followed your discussion with much interest, as I'm suffering from >huge performance problem problem too. Unfortunately I'm not under >OS390, but using AIX 4.3.3 : could someone tell me if there is some >some trick like this one, that should be considered, when using this OS >? Arnaud - Your posting did not say whether you've first pursued the recommendations in the TSM Performance Tuning Guide. If you are not also the AIX systems programmer at your site, you should confer with those people to have them review the environment in which you are running. In http://people.bu.edu/rbs/ADSM.QuickFacts I've collected various performance factors to check for. Rather than looking for "tricks", it is far better to master the facets of your hardware and software environment, and thus have a solid grasp of maximum performance capabilities so as to recognize when things aren't working right and know what to do. Anything from overloaded SCSI adapters to misconfigured ethernet connections can be a factor. I can't stress strongly enough one major aspect of implementing systems that novices always overlook: doing a benchmark, first. It is vital that you "road test" whatever you implement before committing it to production. At a minimum, that should be your basis for accepting hardware and software from vendors, to see if they measure up to brochure specifications. Simple example: a printer which the vendor states will run at 100 pages per minute. If you don't initially test it, to discover that it ony produces 82 ppm when printing duplex, you're going to be in frantic mode when full-load printing comes along. The basic principle is that you MUST first assure that new hardware and software can perform at expected levels before committing them to production so as to be certain of their capabilities, and thus to truly know what is normal and what is abnormal when a problem situation occurs. And repeat your measurements if at all possible when doing firmware or microcode upgrades to avoid unpleasant surprises. Never assume that newer stuff is better: it may indeed have been created by someone equally new in the vendor company. Richard Sims, BU
