3.9 Working with Data Collected by Other Performance Monitoring Tools

You can import and work with performance and utilization data collected by other performance monitoring software, such as Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005, Microsoft Windows Performance Monitor (perfmon.exe), and HP Reporter. You can also use the PlateSpin Recon Performance Data Import feature.

NOTE:Machines imported from other performance monitoring tools can be viewed in reports and charts after the data has been synchronized. However, you cannot inventory or monitor the machines. If you want to inventory or monitor the machines, you must perform the actions at the original remote site and import the machines again. Subsequently, you need to synchronize the data again.

PlateSpin Recon supports summarization of collected data within 5-minute and 60-minute intervals, regardless of how the selected connector summarizes and collects data. PlateSpin Recon requires that data collected by connectors be summarized over intervals of 60 minutes or less. We recommend importing connector data summarized over 60-minute intervals, especially for systems whose utilization data covers a period of longer than one month.

For PlateSpin Recon to generate reliable consolidation plans, we recommend that you collect utilization data for a period of one to three months before importing it into PlateSpin Recon.

For the capability to work with data collected by third-party software, you must:

3.9.1 Required Performance Counters

You must ensure that the required performance and utilization data is actually gathered for PlateSpin Recon counters in the required categories.

Table 3-5 Required PlateSpin Recon Counters

PlateSpin Recon Counter

Expressed in

Processor utilization

Percentage of total processor time

Memory utilization

Total number of free bytes

Disk IO

Bytes per second

Network IF I/O

Bytes per second

NOTE: NetWare machines only require two counters (CPU and disk) to be gathered for successful consolidation. For more information see Section 1.3, Supported Platforms.

Where required, PlateSpin Recon provides mechanisms for converting third-party performance and utilization data to the required PlateSpin Recon format.

Working with Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 Data

  1. Download and install the PlateSpin Management Pack for MOM 2005 (see Knowledge Base Article Q7920903 and collect data by using MOM.

  2. Create a new Remote site for connecting to MOM:

    1. Right-click in the Data Center Explorer, click Sites, then click Add Site.

      The Add Site dialog box is displayed.

      Add Remote Site
    2. Select Remote as the Type of the new site and specify the required basic parameters for the new site, including a name and an optional description.

    3. In the Connector Type drop-down list, select Microsoft Operations Manager 2005.

    4. Type the Database Hostname for the remote server. Database Instance defaults to OnePoint and must be changed to reflect the Microsoft Operation Manager 2005 database instance in use.

    5. Select the appropriate credentials or select <New Credential> to add new credentials.

    6. (Optional) To verify connectivity with the remote database, click Test Settings

    7. Click OK.

      The new site is added to the Sites node in the Data Center Explorer.

  3. Inventory the machines:

    1. In the Data Center Explorer, right-click the remote site, click Sites, then click Inventory Machines.

      The Inventory Machines dialog box is displayed.

    2. Select the check boxes next to the machines you want to inventory, specify the required inventory parameters, then click OK.

  4. Synchronize site data:

    1. In the Data Center Explorer, right-click the required site and select Sites > Synchronize Data.

    2. Select the check boxes next to the required machines. To select all machines in a site, select the check box next to the site.

    3. Select the required data range, scheduling, and recurrence options.

    4. Click OK.

Working with Windows PerfMon Counter Logs

  1. Set up your Windows Performance Monitor (perfmon.exe) to gather counter data required by PlateSpin Recon. See Section 3.9.1, Required Performance Counters.

  2. Export the data to a CSV file. For detailed information, see the Windows documentation.

  3. Create a new Remote site to work with Windows Performance Monitor logs:

    1. Right-click in the Data Center Explorer, click Sites, then click Add Site.

      The Add Site dialog box is displayed.

      Add Site: Windows Performance Monitor
    2. Select Remote as the Type of the new site and specify the required basic parameters for the new site, including a name and an optional description.

    3. In the Connector Type drop-down list, select Performance Monitor.

    4. Type the path to (or browse to and select) the CSV file that contains data exported from Performance Monitor.

    5. Select the required credentials or select <New Credential> to add new credentials.

    6. (Optional) To verify UNC or local file path access, click Test Settings.

    7. Click OK.

      The new site is added to Sites node in the Data Center Explorer.

  4. Inventory the machines:

    1. In the Data Center Explorer, right-click the remote site, click Sites, then click Add Site.

      The Inventory Machines dialog box is displayed.

    2. Select the check boxes next to the machines you want to inventory, specify the required inventory parameters, then click OK.

  5. Synchronize site data:

    1. In the Data Center Explorer, right-click the required site, click Sites, then click Synchronize Data.

    2. Select the check boxes next to the required machines. To select all machines in a site, select the check box next to the site.

    3. Select the required data range, scheduling, and recurrence options.

    4. Click OK.