PathPoint

PathPoint's architecture is designed to provide a comprehensive and non-intrusive solution for z/OS application discovery and performance analysis. The core components include the Data Collector, Analysis Engine, Repository, and User Interface. The Data Collector is responsible for gathering system-level data, including program calls, file accesses, and I/O screens.

This component operates by monitoring system control blocks and interpreting interactions between programs and resources. The Analysis Engine processes the collected data to create application maps, call stack analysis, and dependency diagrams. This engine uses sophisticated algorithms to trace application execution paths and identify performance bottlenecks.

The Repository, typically a VSAM or DB2 database, stores the processed data, including application metadata, performance metrics, and dependency information. The User Interface provides access to the analysis results, offering both a command-line interface (CLI) for scripting and automation and a graphical user interface (GUI) for detailed analysis and reporting. Communication between components utilizes standard z/OS protocols, including TCP/IP for network communication and internal z/OS interfaces for data retrieval.

PathPoint integrates with the z/OS security infrastructure, supporting RACF, ACF2, and Top Secret for authentication and access control. Data encryption is supported within the repository using z/OS encryption facilities, and network communications can be secured using TLS/SSL. The system's configuration is managed through configuration files and administrative interfaces, allowing for customization of data collection intervals, repository settings, and user access controls.

Compared to competitors, PathPoint offers detailed call-level performance analysis and the ability to track applications across multiple CICS regions.