2.1.1 Objective of performance monitoring
The monitoring of performance is an important task in the creation and management of a system environment.
You can achieve the following major performance monitoring objectives by using PFM - Agent for Platform:
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Determine the causes of bottlenecks (by analyzing performance data).
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Understand load characteristics and their impact on the corresponding system resources (by analyzing performance data trends).
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Verify whether the system is operating correctly (by monitoring it).
Certain types of bottlenecks can affect the operating performance of the entire system, such as bottlenecks produced by the following causes:
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Insufficient memory
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Monopolization of specific resources by programs
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A damaged subsystem
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An incorrect subsystem configuration (for example, 10 Mbps is set for a 100-Mbps NIC)
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Unbalanced subsystem loads
By monitoring performance under different conditions (such as different numbers of users connected concurrently) and by monitoring performance continuously, you can check the load characteristics and the impact on the corresponding system resources in the system environment. The benefits of such monitoring are as follows:
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Changing and adjusting the system configuration are simplified.
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System resource upgrades can be planned.
Checking whether a production system is operating correctly is extremely important. You can check whether the system environment is operating correctly by using the following types of monitoring together with performance monitoring:
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Monitoring of the operation of processes that provide system functionality
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Monitoring of the operation of services that are prerequisite for the system
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Monitoring the system for invalid processes
Using PFM - Agent for Platform as described above to correctly monitor performance is vital for stable system operation.