IMS Database Performance and Tuning

Learn how to tune Information Management System (IMS) databases for use in IMS/Batch, IMS/Data Communications (DC), CICS-Local-Data Language One (DL/I), and Data Base Control (DBCTL) environments.

Explore the IMS database features that affect performance such as data set considerations and buffers for VSAM and OSAM. You will also practice a method for estimating performance before implementation. Plus, you will reinforce the skills you have learned with seven machine labs.

IACET Continuing Education Units: 4.0

This intermediate course is for ndividuals interested in the performance of the IMS Database System.

You should complete:

• IMS Physical Organization of Databases Workshop (U3722)

or have four to six months experience with the IMS database system.

For additional prerequisites visit our Web site and search on U3720.

• Describe the physical storage and processing characteristics of Hierarchial Indexed Sequential Access Method (HISAM), Hierarchial Indexed Direct Access Method (HIDAM), and Hierarchial Direct Access Method (HDAM) access methods.
• Code the Data Base Definitions (DBD) and Program Specification Blocks (PSB) macros to implement secondary indexing, HISAM, HIDAM, and HDAM physical databases.
• Describe the physical storage characteristics of secondary indexes.
• Describe the PSB and programming requirements and processing characteristics when using a secondary index.
• Use the IMS utilities to load and reorganize logically related databases with secondary indexes.
• Use Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM)s access method services to delete and define the Key-Sequenced Data Set (KSDS) and Entry-Sequenced Data Set (ESDS) data sets needed to support the database environment.
• Use reports created by the database tool's program, DBD/PSB/ACB MapperSpecify buffers for VSAM data set supported databases

• Analyze performance data about the IMS database environment
• Choose IMS access methods that provide the best database performance
• Improve performance by selecting database buffer pools and buffer pool options and with the correct data set access method and storage attributes
• Implement the optimum performance options for VSAM data sets at define and execute time
• Evaluate the need for secondary indexes and select implementation options to improve their performance
• Choose physical database implementation options to improve performance
• Select HDAM randomizing parameters that can improve the key randomization process

• Introduction to IMS database tuning
• Introduction to the lab project
• Review of the IMS access methods
• Measuring IMS database performance
• Lab 1: The base case
• Lab 2: Using IMS Reports
• Tuning VSAM buffers
• Lab 3: Tuning VSAM buffers
• Tuning VSAM data sets
• Lab 4: Tuning VSAM data sets
• Additional performance issues
• Tuning secondary indexes
• Lab 5: Tuning secondary indexes
• Tuning HDAM
• Lab 6: Tuning HDAM
• Tuning OSAM data sets and buffers
• Lab 7: OSAM data sets and buffers
• Other tuning considerations
• Database tuning summary