Fact Sheet


What does VELOCI-RAPTOR (VR) do?

VR is an intelligent, intuitive, performance optimization tool designed to dramatically improve system performance while significantly reducing system overhead by automating tuning activities. VR cuts overhead by optimally allocating buffers for VSAM files to provide the best throughput and response time for I/O requests. It uses 256 LSR buffer pools to speed application processing and provides virtual storage constraint relief by placing control blocks and buffers above the 16MB line. VR ensures optimal tuning and buffer allocation for non-VSAM files while optimizing the use of SAM/E chained scheduling for asynchronous sequential access.


Why optimize batch processing performance and reduce system overhead?

By buffering VSAM and non-VSAM files more efficiently, your system can process applications more quickly with less demand on the CPU. VR allows users to defer CPU upgrades thereby saving both time and money.


What are the primary challenges that VELOCI-RAPTOR addresses?

The primary challenges faced by data centers are the need to reduce batch processing time, the need and ability to meet service level agreements, the requirement to maximize system performance without extensive programming changes and the ability to determine system-wide impact of application tuning activities. VR addresses these challenges by:

  1. Automatically reducing system overhead and batch window constraints.
  2. Eliminating manual tuning efforts.
  3. Allowing users to defer or eliminate CPU upgrades.
  4. Ensuring service level agreements are more easily met.

What are the primary benefits of VELOCI-RAPTOR?

VR allows you to:

  • Reduce batch window processing constraints by performing VSAM and nonVSAM batch processing in a fraction of the time. Application processing can sometimes be reduced to 1/10th of the time when VR is implemented.
  • Eliminate manual tuning efforts. Technical resources that might otherwise be utilized for manual tuning can be reassigned elsewhere without any loss in performance.
  • Eliminate or defer the need for CPU upgrades. Fluid application processing reduces CPU requirements while making better use of main memory, thereby extending the life of the CPU and offsetting the cost of expensive upgrades.
  • Meet service level agreements. On-line systems will come up on time . . and with improved application response times as batch processing requirements are completed in less time.
  • Obtain performance improvements without JCL or application changes. Manual performance tuning requires significant JCL or application code changes , while VR optimizes performance without alteration to either.
  • Make dynamic changes in file processing. VR dynamically adapts to changes in file processing and helps with time-of-day memory management issues or other situations that could impact buffering requirements.
  • Expand virtual storage. LSR and NSR buffers are built above the 16MB line to alleviate any virtual storage constraints. For LSR, expanded storage using hyperspace buffering is automatically and transparently used when the file size is larger than the LSR pool. This provides up to 2GB of virtual storage for buffers and gives ample room below the line to run larger applications.

How would I use VELOCI-RAPTOR?

VR is easily and transparently installed on any Z/OS system. Once enabled, batch processing iobs are analyzed and then modified to utilize the best possible accesses to each file. An immediate and dramatic difference in run times will be seen as buffers are allocated more efficiently, EXCPs are reduced, memory is freed for application programs and file processing is optimized.


How does VELOCI-RAPTOR work?

VR contains a proprietary database containing the parameters and values that deliver the best I/O performance by type of device and by type of access. Users can override these rules by keying in their own parameters, or by excluding a dataset or job name from VR's optimization process. Most users, however, use the default parameters and achieve outstanding results from it's I/O optimization. VR intercepts the open and close of any data set and optimally buffers VSAM, QSAM, and BSAM files to reduce system overhead while utilizing super fast read/write routines to significantly reduce the time required for batch processing.


What kind of results should I expect?

VR customers routinely report that they can reduce VSAM batch processing times from 60 percent to 90 percent. QSAM and BSAM batch processing times can be reduced by up to 85 percent. VR saves up to 50% elapsed time for DB2 Unloads and Reloads and saves up to 40% elapsed time for IDMS sweeps.


What operating environment does VELOCI-RAPTOR require?

VR runs on all Z/OS platforms. It requires requires 10k of common storage (CSA) below the 16MB line and the user interface requires ISPF Version 3.3 or above.


What kind of reports can VELOCI-RAPTOR generate?

Detailed statistics can be produced showing the type of buffering that was applied and the amount of data movement that occurred. Also available is the number and type of program I/O requests for VSAM files. These statistics may also be recorded in SMF records for later analysis.