IBM Z Decision Support

The architecture of IBM Z Decision Support (IZDS) is centered around several key components designed for efficient data collection, processing, and reporting within a z/OS environment. The primary components include data collectors, a data processing engine, a reporting engine, and a Db2 database. Data collectors are responsible for gathering data from various sources, such as SMF records, IDCAMS DCOLLECT, and IMS logs.

These collectors are configured to capture specific data points relevant to system performance and resource utilization. The data processing engine then transforms and loads the collected data into Db2 databases. This engine handles data validation, aggregation, and formatting to ensure data integrity and consistency.

The reporting engine provides the functionality to generate a variety of reports, including performance summaries, capacity planning forecasts, and resource utilization analyses. Users interact with the reporting engine through JCL jobs and ISPF panels, specifying report parameters and output formats. The Db2 database serves as the central repository for historical data.

It is structured to support efficient storage and retrieval of large volumes of performance and usage information. Security is integrated at multiple levels, leveraging the z/OS security system, including RACF for authentication and RBAC for access control. Unlike some competing products, IZDS is specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with the z/OS environment, providing a robust and scalable solution for system monitoring and reporting.