Tips

Tips

iSeries system performance and monitoring

• Analyze the health of your IBM i server with iScore

  While more comprehensive services exist, iScore from Vision Solutions offers a free and general introductory analysis of your system's health.  Continue Reading

• Translating Linux for IBM i admins: Working with jobs and networking

  Learn the Linux equivalent to WRKACTJOB and how NETSTAT works on in Linux. This tip continues to translate Linux commands for AS/400 adminstrators who are not familiar with the complexities of the language.  Continue Reading

• Database performance comparisons on IBM i

  Testing performance of RLA in the IBM Java Toolbox against JDBC and native I/O for the AS/400 revealed that RPG on System i is the most efficient language, and DB2 is taken for granted. Joe Pluta built some benchmarks to compare different aspects of...  Continue Reading

• Performance tuning for IBM i: The basics and beyond

  Raymond Johnson answers five reader-submitted questions about performance tuning on the AS/400. Some quick tips and tricks for performance tuning are provided.  Continue Reading

• Checking on System i disk space requires creating a new command: XRTVSYSSTS

  Monitoring System i disk space is imperative to keeping your system up and running. If a process begins to loop endlessly without notice, it can fill up a working file and bring everything to a halt. XRTVSYSSTS can save the day.  Continue Reading

• Viewing netstat information

  Though the netstat command line tool is no substitute for full-blown systems monitoring software, it provides good, quick network information on demand.  Continue Reading

• Compiler directives -- reap the benefits

  Paul Tuohey shares the way he uses compiler directives in his programs.  Continue Reading

• Clean up programs and procedures to increase data and application integrity -- part 1

  Ron Turull explains how to clean up programs and procedures to increase data and application integrity.  Continue Reading

• Redirect ODBC jobs to your own subsystem

  Substitute (your_lib) with the library you want to contain the subsystem i.e. QGPL.  Continue Reading

• Check active Job

  Wondering how to check to see if a Job is active? This utility program checks to see if a Job is active and returns 'y/n' flag.  Continue Reading

• Use the RTVSBSSTS command to retrieve the subsystem status

  Use the RTVSBSSTS command to retrieve the subsystem status  Continue Reading

• Sys req command line

  To get a command line using Sys Req you first need to WRKMSGD CPX2313, Option 2 to change the second word DSPJOB to WRKJOB. When you use Sys Req Option 3 you get a command line, as well as the job menu.  Continue Reading

• Display SAVF PTF status

  This program displays SAVF and their respective PTF status; function to delete SAVF that have been applied/superseded.  Continue Reading

• Display all the jobs that have a lock on an IFS object

  Learn how to display all the jobs that have a lock on an Integrated File Systems Object with these simple steps.  Continue Reading

• Simple object control

  Here's a code to run a display file description of all the files on your system and put the results into a file. file.  Continue Reading

• Client Access Express password cache

  Stop that darn pop-up window from appearing when you're trying to connect to Client Access.  Continue Reading

• Security Tools can help manage your system security

  You don't need to look far for tools to manage your system's security. Included in your iSeries is a generous set of utilities that can help you.  Continue Reading

• Identify files used in all queries

  Identify files used in all queries in a library, library list or ALLUSR.  Continue Reading

• Check constraint allows database admins to sleep a bit better at night

  You can easily prevent errant programs from writing invalid data to a field with a simple constraint.  Continue Reading

• Tips for i5 eServer Hardware Management Console (HMC)

  Allyn Walsh answers user's questions regarding Hardware Management Console (HMC).  Continue Reading

• Send message to users at a remote site

  Learn how you can send messages to a user who is at a remote site.  Continue Reading

• How to take advantage of DSM -- even in a non-ILE shop

  Ron Turull provides a "helper" program to let you save and restore the screen using two DSM APIs from a non-ILE program.  Continue Reading

• Use the i5/OS Networking Quality of Service monitor to look at your system's bandwidth usage

  Learn how to set up a simple policy to monitor your network.  Continue Reading

• QUPSDLYTIM system value

  Carefully calculate the QUPSDLYTIM system value setting.  Continue Reading

• How to save, restore the screen -- the quick and easy way

  This time we turn our attention to a couple of DSM APIs that can be used to take a "snapshot" of the screen, save it and restore it later using the saved data.  Continue Reading

• Create an iSeries Access image and update it with the latest Service Pack

  There's an easy way to create an iSeries Access image that can be used for PC-Client installations and to load the latest Service Pack on to.  Continue Reading

• The best place to put your e-business workload

  There are two options for running your e-business workloads in an average iSeries shop: upgrade your existing iSeries server or buy a new front-end server. Find out which is best.  Continue Reading

• Dynamic Screen Manager lets you build screens and windows on the fly

  Want to do something with a display file but can't seem to get DDS to do it? Try Dynamic Screen Manager.  Continue Reading

• How to save time using the CPYTOPCD and CPYFRMPCD commands

  Learn how to get the most out of the Copy To PC Document (CPYTOPCD) and the Copy From PC Document (CPYFRMPCD) commands.  Continue Reading

• Logging strategies

  Two very different logging strategies--circular logging and archival logging--are available in DB2. But a hybrid method called infinite active logging might work best.  Continue Reading

• How to set up an autostart job

  What do you do when you want a program to run automatically only when a specific subsystem is started? Attach an autostart job entry to the subsystem.  Continue Reading

• Use caution when providing access to file shares

  Although file shares are a convenient way to share data throughout a company, defining shares can create serious security exposures if OS/400 object authority hasn't been utilized.  Continue Reading

• Add HEX key to PC5250

  iSeries Access PC5250 keyboard does not have the Hex key that the old 5250 keyboard did. Assign this script to a key to get this function back.  Continue Reading

• The CHGSYSJOB command lets you configure system jobs

  Using the Change System Job command (CHGSYSJOB) you can change the run priority of some system jobs.  Continue Reading

• How to use the ILE debugger to display the value of a variable in hexadecimal format

  Ron Turull looks at why hexadecimal formatting is often necessary.  Continue Reading

• Using files with multiple members in SQL or ODBC

  Working in SQL and ODBC with specific members in files with multiple members? Here's a helpful tip to make it a little easier when problems occur.  Continue Reading

• CA Express utility helps you manage SSL certificates

  If you are using CA Express to set up SSL or SSL over VPN, there is a little known utility that will allow you to directly manage all of these stores and certificates.  Continue Reading

• User profile exit points make administrators' lives easier

  These four user profile-related exit points can simplify the process of managing user profiles, whether you're adding a profile, changing it, deleting it or restoring it.  Continue Reading

• Learn the benefits of the WRKPRTF to locate spool files

  Use the command WRKPRTF to help locate all spool files by the print file name.  Continue Reading

• Quickly find out which IP interface a device is connected to

  Learn an easy way to find out the network interface a specific device is using to access your iSeries server.  Continue Reading

• The registration facility helps you tailor your system -- Part II

  Find out how you can use the registration facility's Client Access exit points instead of the PCSACC network attribute to improve system performance.  Continue Reading

• Verify connectivity to critical servers

  Use PINGER to quickly verify connectivity to all critical servers within your organization.  Continue Reading

• Use WRKPRTF to locate spool files

  Use the command WRKPRTF to help locate all spool files by the print file name.  Continue Reading

• What is your OS/400 release? Find out now

  You can find out about your iSeries release in keying in just one simple command. Key in the following CL source and compile it, and then create a command to run the CL program.  Continue Reading

• Let the system tune itself based on your business rules

  In this detailed tip you'll learn how to let your system tune itself -- based on your business rules.  Continue Reading

• The registration facility helps you tailor your system -- Part I

  Learn why exit programs are a great way to customize security and general function of certain applications.  Continue Reading

• Ending a job without a big job log

  Often you have to end a job and the system creates massive pages of joblogs. Check out this tip and learn how to avoid a ton of pages.  Continue Reading

• Download OS/400 dir object

  Follow these simple steps to download any dir object using FTP.  Continue Reading

• Special features make creating tables simple

  With the help of prompting and basing table support, creating conversion tables and sort sequence tables is now a very intuitive process.  Continue Reading

• Command DLTJRNRCV warning

  If you use the command DLTJRNRCV, you'll want to read this warning.  Continue Reading

• Find out the last IPL done on the system

  This Search400.com member shares what he says is the easiest way to find out the last IPL done on the system.  Continue Reading

• In between system saves

  Here's a program that will give you a little piece of mind in between your system saves.  Continue Reading

• Is file level-checking still necessary? You bet

  The ILE programming model has drastically changed the way we program on the AS/400-iSeries, but make no mistake, file level-checking is still needed.  Continue Reading

• Working with command EMAILOUTQ (EMAIL THE OUTQ)

  Using command EMAILOUTQ you can convert spool files of an entire outq to text documents in a folder named "EMAIL."  Continue Reading

• How to use DB2's cross-reference files to help manage your database -- Part II

  In part 2 of this series, Ron Turull looks at a real-life example of how you can put cross-reference files to work in your shop.  Continue Reading

• How to use DB2's cross-reference files to help manage your database -- Part I

  DB2 maintains a number of cross-reference files that you can use to easily retrieve information about files on your system.  Continue Reading

• How to get information about your users' profiles

  Want to find out which users have not signed on in the past 90 days or how many users are on the system? This tip shows how to get all kinds of information about user profiles.  Continue Reading

• Time-saving tips for finding the right command

  Over the years we have all developed techniques to make this process of finding the right command less laborious. Here are a few of Ron Turull's favorites.  Continue Reading

• ILE CL can boost productivity and performance

  Ron Turull shows you the advantages and disadvantages of using ILE CL.  Continue Reading

• Store system info with backups

  Following this tip, you will have a backup that includes all of your critical system parameters and values.  Continue Reading

• Tips for shrinking your backup/recovery windows

  Backup and recovery guru Deb Saugen answers Search400.com users questions on the best way to shrink their backup/recovery windows.  Continue Reading

• Force vary off locked device

  Learn an alternate method to get a device varied off.  Continue Reading

• Fix spool files in an OUTQ

  You can fix spool files in an OUTQ that appear to be locked up, or in a SND status, even after the writer has ended.  Continue Reading

• Ending print writers

  To end a print writer that the device will vary off, but the writer is in an active status, there is a program to call to end the writer abnormally.  Continue Reading

• Quick IPL breakdown

  Learn more information about your IPL speed.  Continue Reading

• How many users are logged into your system?

  Chances are you've had the request to find out how many users are logged into your system. The following command will provide you with that information  Continue Reading

• ASP available space shortage notification

  Have your system send an e-mail to your operations staffs' lotus notes account when the available ASP space went below that which is specified in the QSTGLOWLMT system value.  Continue Reading

• Want to speed up your nightly backups? Use save files

  Backing up your system to a save file can be a real time-saver, plus it's simple.  Continue Reading

• How to increase performance by grouping users into separate storage pools -- Part III

  In this installment Ron Turull looks at how you use activity levels and pool size to configure a private storage pool and how to route certain users into that storage pool.  Continue Reading

• Display remote output queues

  This utility displays a list of remote output queues.  Continue Reading

• How to increase performance by grouping users into separate storage pools -- Part II

  In this installment, Ron Turull shows you how to how to set the two parameters that govern the performance of jobs in a storage pool: activity levels and pool size.  Continue Reading

• Shutting down iSeries Integrated Server cards for backups

  Learn how to shut down iSeries Integrated Server cards and speed up your shut down time.  Continue Reading

• How to increase performance by grouping users into separate storage pools -- Part I

  Specialized tuning techniques can make the difference when trying to make your system fall with in standard performance levels.  Continue Reading

• Automatically reactivate ELAN cable

  Learn how to reset your iSeries ELAN is someone accidentally pulls the cable.  Continue Reading

• Using WRKSYSSTS to tune your system

  The WRKSYSSTS display provides two ways to tune your system. Using those methods, follow these five steps to bring your system in line.  Continue Reading

• Display all licensed programs on the iSeries

  Here's a simple method to display all licensed programs on the iSeries.  Continue Reading

• Display device output queues

  Use the Output Queue on the device description as the default printer in our applications.  Continue Reading

• How to send inquiry messages and get replies

  Create impromptu messages with APIs and commands or RPG.  Continue Reading

• Make your own PSF configuration

  Create your own PSF Configuration for each type of model of printer that is attached to your system.  Continue Reading

• Send an e-mail to an admin when a job gets a status of *MSGW

  The following program checks to see if any iSeries jobs have a status of *MSGW  Continue Reading

• How to use the WRKSYSSTS to monitor your system – Part II

  Making sure the page fault rates and job transition rates fall within acceptable levels is the essence of using the WRKSYSSTS display to tune your system.  Continue Reading

• Retrieve temporary storage used for individual active jobs

  When the amount of temporary storage increases dramatically, it can theoretically bring your system down by filling up your disk space up to 100%.  Continue Reading

• How to use WRKSYSSTS to monitor your system -- Part I

  A well-tuned machine pool is essential for good performance. Use the Work with System Status (WRKSYSSTS) command to monitor and maintain it, as well as other pools on the iSeries.  Continue Reading

• New ASP load-balancing commands

  If you want high performance, you need to use a group of ASP load-balancing commands IBM introduced in V4R4. They're easy to use AND can be run while your system is active.  Continue Reading

• Delete unassigned documents from QDOC library

  Display all unclaimed documents to a physical file.  Continue Reading

• Why hard disks are important in performance tuning

  Hard drives are the fastest of all auxiliary storage devices, but they are painfully slow compared with other components. Therefore, it's essential they are tuned to the utmost.  Continue Reading

• DASD failure notification

  Get DASD failure notification -- 24x7.  Continue Reading

• Using the WRKDSKSTS command to increase performance

  Still running OPM programs? The Work With Disk Status (WRKDSKSTS) command can tell you a lot about your system -- information you can use to boost your system's performance.  Continue Reading

• Monitor temporary storage used

  This CL program allows you to regularly scan a specific subsystem for jobs having their "Temporary storage used" value running over a specific limit set.  Continue Reading

• How to track response times with the WRKACTJOB tool

  Using the Work with Active Jobs screen you can see detailed performance data for each job listed.  Continue Reading

• Old recommendations for WRKACTJOB no longer true

  Over the years there have been changes to the way WRKACTJOB works. What was once true for DSPACTJOB on System/38 is no longer true for WRKACTJOB.  Continue Reading

• System problem? Let the iSeries page you

  Let the iSeries page you if a problem arises.  Continue Reading

• How to get the most from WRKACTJOB

  WRKACTJOB is one of the most frequently used commands on the iSeries, yet few of us have taken the time to discover all the benefits it has to offer.  Continue Reading

• Three basic system tools to help you tune your iSeries

  The three basic performance management tools -- WRKSYSSTS, WRKDSKSTS and WRKACTJOB -- come with OS/400. Unfortunately, they aren't always put to the best use at the best time.  Continue Reading

• Tips for using Remote Journal

  IBM's Larry Youngren and Adam Stallman answer user questions about Remote Journal.  Continue Reading

• InfoPrint Server & Designer enhancements explained

  News about IBM's enhancements to InfoPrint Server & Designer raised the interest of iSeries users everywhere. What do the changes mean for you? IBM's Bill Shaffer explains.  Continue Reading

• How to use RPG's IMPORT and EXPORT keywords to share data across modules

  Do you have two modules that need to use the same variable? Excessive parameter passing can decrease CALL-operation performance. You might want to try external variables instead.  Continue Reading

• Commands, APIs and op-codes to control activation groups

  Ron Turull takes a look at some of the more common system commands, APIs and high level language op-codes to control activation groups.  Continue Reading

• Retrieving QDLS information

  Retrieving QDLS document information just got easier.  Continue Reading

• Who's using all the CPU?

  Here's an easy way to see who's using all the CPU.  Continue Reading