Several DB2 tools are available to help with administration of the subsystem environment and database objects. Some of these tools are optional and Windows based. Following are some of the major tools, especially those that can be used with DB2 for z/OS.
DB2 Customization CenterThe z/OS Managed System Infrastructure for Setup (msys for Setup) is a framework that various z/OS products use to simplify their setup. The DB2 Customization Center uses this framework and simplifies the task of installing or migrating a DB2 subsystem in a z/OS environment. A workstation interface is used for the tasks. A set of wizards guides you through setting the parameters (DSNZPARMs) and provides defaults and recommendations wherever possible. The appropriate setup and configuration can then be submitted. The workstation interface can be used to view or update subsystem parameters and other information. The DB2 Customization Center can be used to complete such tasks as
DB2 Administration ClientThis client enables workstations from a variety of platforms to access and administer DB2 databases through the Command Center, the Control Center, or the Configuration Assistant. The Control Center supports the entire DB2 family, including z/OS, and can be used as a single point of entry for controlling the entire DB2 family. You can use the Control Center to display database objects and their relationships to one another. The Control Center's GUI allows you to easily manage local and remote servers from a single workstation. You can also launch other tools, such as DB2 Warehouse Center, DB2 Visual Explain, Command Center, Development Center, Information Center, Configuration Assistant, and more. Visual ExplainDB2 Visual Explain lets you graphically analyze the access paths that DB2 chooses for your SQL queries or statements. The graph of the access path is displayed on a Windows workstation, eliminating the need to manually interpret the plan table output. This tool offers suggestions for improving the performance of your SQL queries or statements. You can change an SQL statement and dynamically explain it to see whether the access path is improved by the change. You can also use this tool to browse through the current values of subsystem parameters. Visual Explain issues DRDA queries through a DB2 client on the workstation to get needed information. DB2 Visual Explain helps database administrators and application developers to
DB2 EstimatorDB2 Estimator is an easy-to-use, standalone tool for estimating the performance of DB2 z/OS and OS/390 applications. It can be run on PCs that support Microsoft Windows (98/NT/2000/XP). It supports simple table sizing up to a detailed performance analysis of an entire DB2 application. DB2 Estimator saves time and lowers costs by allowing you to investigate the impact of new or modified applications on your production system before you implement them. DB2 Estimator provides such information as
DB2 Estimator lets you change your definitions easily to help you evaluate alternative designs. By comparing the cost and performance of these designs, you can determine which design provides the optimum cost/performance ratio before you invest valuable time and resources coding your application or creating a real database. DB2 Estimator helps you build more efficient databases by building a model of your system, based on your data knowledge, with reasonable access paths for your SQL statements. If DB2 information is available through DB2 Explain and/or DB2 Performance Monitor, you can tune the model by overriding the model assumptions. You can also import table, index, and SQL statements from your DB2 database to DB2 Estimator and then modify them to suit your modeling requirements. |