IBM Tivoli Monitoring: Implementation and Performance Optimization for Large Scale Environments

Chapter 12. IBM Change and Configuration Management Database integration 441

12.3 Using Tivoli Application Dependency Discovery

Manager and IBM Tivoli Monitoring to facilitate

server consolidation

This section describe a scenario that uses the system discovery capabilities of

TADDM combined with a script to identify the dependencies between systems

installed in the managed environment. In addition, the tool described identifies

underutilized servers.

After server utilization levels and dependencies are identified, then judgments

can be made based on reliable evidence for server consolidation and more

efficient use of available resources.

This scenario can be of use to customers with a large number of resources

available that they may wish to rationalize after a period of change. The

consequences of making changes need to be fully understood, because you will

want to shut down servers with no or very few dependencies. Without

understanding the dependencies, incorrect choices could be made on server

consolidation that could affect other business services.

12.3.1 Scenario background

In most enterprises, system administrators are faced with the challenge of using

available resources as efficiently as possible. This may require server

consolidation, relocation and rationalization of a large environment where the

consequences of change may not be not fully understood. Shutting down servers

may affect several other business services that have a dependency on the

modified system.

The scenario environment presented here is similar to that described in 12.2.1,

“Scenario background” on page 424. It includes a number of physical systems

based on several operating systems (Windows, Linux, UNIX). The aim is to show

the utilization of the current server and dependencies within this environment.

Figure 12-7 on page 442 shows the overview of this scenario.