| Author |
Message
|
| kingkb |
 Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:54 am Post subject: Is MQ Event Monitoring a recommended approach? |
 |
|
Newbie
Joined: 28 Jan 2009
Posts: 5
|
Hello All,
I have a requirement for monitoring MQ queues and processes in our project.
The MQ architecture is very simple; we have only one queue manager and all the end applications directly connect to this using mqclient.
Since the requirement is to provide bear minimal monitoring solution and the MQ layer being less complex(no clustering or remote queue managers), I am not looking forward for any third party monitoring solution. The things I am looking forward to monitor are queue depth, queue manager status, channel status, listener status, etc.
I did come across different levels of monitoring (event monitoring, message monitoring, real-time monitoring, etc) provided by IBM in the Websphere MQ framework. I am sure that this monitoring solution will probably address all my monitoring requirements. But I was more interested in knowing the feasibility of using this and had following questions:
1. Since this is a queue manager level activity, will turning monitoring ON have any adverse impact on the Queue Manager's performance?
2. Any other pros and cons?
3. Is there any comparision between IBM's Monitoring solution and monitoring using mqsc commands?
I did go through all the topics on monitring MQ layer in this forum but did not find anybody recommending this approach. There were discussions where people advised to use this diligently coz its not as simple as it looks.
I would appreciate if you can provide any suggestions or pointers towards this.
Thanks,
KB. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
| Vitor |
| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: Is MQ Event Monitoring a recommended approach? |
|
|
Grand High Poobah
Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 26093
Location: Texas, USA
|
| kingkb wrote: |
| coz its not as simple as it looks. |
This is how money is made from monitoring software! 
| kingkb wrote: |
| I am not looking forward for any third party monitoring solution. |
Have you checked with your operational people? What they use to monitor your infrastructure and servers may have WMQ capabilities.
| kingkb wrote: |
| 1. Since this is a queue manager level activity, will turning monitoring ON have any adverse impact on the Queue Manager's performance? |
There will be a cost. How much depends on a number of factors but IMHO it's unlikely to be onerous.
| kingkb wrote: |
| 2. Any other pros and cons? |
Running the built-in system is still labour intensive and has no problem resolution or alerting mechanism. You may still find TCO of a home brew system higher than a commercial one
| kingkb wrote: |
| 3. Is there any comparision between IBM's Monitoring solution and monitoring using mqsc commands? |
Even using the Monitoring solution you're likely to need mqsc commands to drill into the actual problems when they arise.
You might want to consider using PCF to further automate your solution and reduce the number of mqsc commands. Scripting is another possibility here.
My personal 2 cents, other opinions equally valid and so forth.
_________________
Honesty is the best policy.
Insanity is the best defence. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| PeterPotkay |
| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Poobah
Joined: 15 May 2001
Posts: 7722
|
There is some very, very basic monitoring included in the MO71 Support Pack. I have not used that aspect of it. If you need to admin more than zero Queue Managers, you should have MO71 anyway. Check it out and let us know. There is a very detailed PDF manual with it, so you can read about it and see if it will do this monitoring for you without having to play with it.
_________________
Peter Potkay
Keep Calm and MQ On |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| kingkb |
| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Newbie
Joined: 28 Jan 2009
Posts: 5
|
Thanks for the replies guys.
Vitor,
I did check with the OPS team and they confirmed that there is no licensed third party monitoring tool that is currently available.
PeterPotkay,
We did think of the monitoring option in MO71 but we thought that our requirement is slightly more than what it can currently support. However we will try to explore more and see if that serves our purpose. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| mqjeff |
| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Grand Master
Joined: 25 Jun 2008
Posts: 17447
|
| PeterPotkay wrote: |
| If you need to admin more than zero Queue Managers, you should have MO71 anyway. |
Only if you have more than zero Windows machines in your shop. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| PeterPotkay |
| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Poobah
Joined: 15 May 2001
Posts: 7722
|
So my professional MQ travels are nowhere near as wide nor far as your's Jeff. There are shops where the personal don't use Windows for their desktops? Doesn't MSFT have a 100% monoply on all Fortune 500, 1000, even Fortune 2500's desktops?
_________________
Peter Potkay
Keep Calm and MQ On |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| fjb_saper |
| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Grand High Poobah
Joined: 18 Nov 2003
Posts: 20756
Location: LI,NY
|
| PeterPotkay wrote: |
| So my professional MQ travels are nowhere near as wide nor far as your's Jeff. There are shops where the personal don't use Windows for their desktops? Doesn't MSFT have a 100% monoply on all Fortune 500, 1000, even Fortune 2500's desktops? |
I know of government shops (abroad) that run open office on Linux... not Micro$oft there.... 
_________________
MQ & Broker admin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Vitor |
| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Grand High Poobah
Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 26093
Location: Texas, USA
|
| PeterPotkay wrote: |
| There are shops where the personal don't use Windows for their desktops? |
There are such oasis in the desert that is Microsoft
_________________
Honesty is the best policy.
Insanity is the best defence. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
