St. Louis - Computer Measurement Group Third quarterly meeting of 2008 August 12th, 2008

 

Agenda

 

8:30 9:00                        Registration and Continental Breakfast

 

9:00 9:15                        Ben Geolat - Welcome and Introductions

 

9:15 10:30                      Greg Caliri from BMC Software - "Performance Reporting in the 21st Century"

 

10:30 10:40                    Break

 

10:40 12:00                    John Meisenbacher - Release Profiling

 

12:00  1:00                      Lunch

 

1:00  2:15                        Debbie Sheetz from BMC Software - "Virtual Systems Modeling"

                                                                                        

2:15 2:25                        Break       

 

2:25 3:05                        Birds of a Feather:  "Virtualization: implications for capacity planning methodologies" [chaired by Art Morlock]

 

3:05 3:45                        Birds of a Feather:  "How do I prove the on-going value of capacity planning? (KPIs, $ savings/avoidance, # servers, etc.)"  [chaired by Karl Steger]

 

3:45                                   Closing

 

                                          Optional - Social Gathering at Chevys (Kennerly & Tesson Ferry across from St. Anthonys)

 

 

 

 

 

Session Overviews

 

 

Virtual Systems Modeling by Debbie Sheetz of BMC Software

This presentation is a survey of the topics requested by customers who are managing performance in virtualized environments.  Performance reporting topics include strategies for reporting CPU usage of AIX micro-partitions and dynamic partitions, VMWare virtual machines, and Solaris containers.  Performance sizing/modeling topics include server consolidation techniques for initial sizing of AIX/HP partitioned systems or a VMWare host, and continuing consolidation onto already virtualized AIX partitioned systems.

 Virtual Systems Modeling

Release Profiling by John Meisenbacher

Capacity planning and performance management are critical functions to properly size large-scale transaction processing systems.  An oversized system will waste money and reduce profits.  An undersized system will result in poor customer service and harm the business.

 

This presentation describes a straightforward and effective method for capacity planning and performance management that does not require expensive commercial software.  The technique can be applied to production and test systems with minimal expense.  This approach has been successfully used in a production environment resulting in significant savings during each of the past several years.

 Transaction performance modeling

 

Performance Reporting in the 21^st Century by Greg Caliri Lead Technical Support Analyst at BMC Software

The Capacity and Performance reporting role has changed through the years.  In the 21^st century, there are often three audiences the capacity, performance and business specialists.  To further add to ones dilemma, there are more tools and report platforms today.  Skill sets of the reporters have changed.  The specialist must learn to adapt presentations, build confidence or Zen in each audience, and still manage to communicate effectively.  A modular approach to reporting is invaluable.
Performance Reporting in the 21st Century

 

Birds of a Feather

Birds-of-a-Feather, or BOFs, are where people of like interests flock together for 40 minutes for small, focused talks or group sessions based on some kind of shared interest, and then talk about it for a while, without a pre-planned agenda.  Two BOF sessions will be presented by Capacity Planners from our area:

 

• Art Morlock from Edward Jones - "Virtualization: implications for capacity planning methodologies". 
• Karl Steger from Wachovia - "How do I demonstrate the on-going value of capacity planning? (KPIs, $ savings/avoidance, # servers, etc.)".