IMPLEX
Introduction
IMPLEX is a powerful, but easy to use, real-time and historical IP performance, availability and problem management system for z/OS.
IMPLEX monitors:
- Single IP stacks
- Multiple IP stacks across multiple LPAR's across multiple CPU's
- Entire Sysplex configurations
IMPLEX will reveal traffic whose existence has not been suspected and is able to track activity levels, issue alerts and provide IP stack activity information to an unprecedented degree of detail and with minimal latency.
IMPLEX displays network performance via a choice of interfaces:
- Browser-based GUI
- Tivoli/NetView
- 3270 green screen
You can read more about these bly clicking on the link on the left.
Effective IP Monitoring
To ensure the most effective monitoring of IP, IMPLEX uses a proven, "Direct Stack Interface" to IP. This provides a number of significant advantages over other 'real-time' monitors including:
- No reliance on NetStat output or SMF exits
- True real-time reporting
- Coverage of ALL traffic in the IP stack including TCP, UDP, ICMP, OSPF, EE, OE and X.25 (XOT)
- Alerts issued when something stops working
- Immediate generation of performance data without configuration
- Dynamic recognition of IP network changes
Batch Reporting
The IMPLEX batch reporting facility will handle either extracted SMF records or IMPLEX historical data as input. Data may be:
- Selected on time period, record characteristics (e.g. port numbers) and threshold values on fields in the records
- Sorted chronologically and/or by field value
- Output to printed report, CSV or XML dataset
- Support for Tivoli NetView and other Automation Products
IP Network monitoring produces alert messages that are prime candidates for automation. Most of today's automation solutions have a REXX base and a command interface so that they can communicate using standard techniques.
To enable users to take maximum advantage of the information produced by IMPLEX and manage their systems more efficiently, these automation facilities are available to IMPLEX users running Tivoli NetView and to users of all other proprietary automation solutions.
IMPLEX Architecture
The following diagram illustrates how IMPLEX monitors and manages IP network performance
Choosing an IP Monitor
Choosing the right network monitor is key to ensuring effective network management. Knowing the questions to ask to help make that decision is invaluable. Product Architect Tony Amies has prepared a document to help guide potential purchasers to make the correct decision for their environment. Called Choosing an IP Monitor for z/OS it is available to you simply by clicking the link.