Created:  | Updated: 

IronTap

Why is IronTap dropping SMF records?

Answer: The following steps provide you with an overview of the most common pitfalls and how to solve them:

Step 1: Verify that SMF records enabled

Click to expand instructions ...

Verify that z/OS clients stream supported SMF records streamed to the Kafka cluster.

Step 2: Verify that the instrumented applications call mainframe LPARs that are monitored by z/IRIS

Click to expand instructions ...

Note that several load-balancing mechanisms on the mainframe may distribute the work among different LPARs, CICS regions, etc.

Step 3: Verify that the APM agent is up and running

Click to expand instructions ...

The agent has to be installed and started (Full APM mode) on the same machine the Java application is running on. On Linux, use the following command to view the current state of the agent:

sudo service instana-agent status
BASH

expected result:

Running.
BASH

If the agent is not running, use the following command:

sudo service instana-agent start
BASH

Step 4: For Distributed Db2 observability, check that JDBC application has the required environment variables set

Click to expand Instana APM instructions ...

Activate z/IRIS JDBC instrumentation with Instana APM

Click to expand OpenTelemetry instructions ...

Configure z/IRIS OpenTelemetry Java Instrumentation Extension

Step 5: Is IronTap integration configured correctly?

Click to expand Instana APM instructions ...
Click to expand OpenTelemetry instructions ...

Step 6: Is the correct EBCDIC code page set in the IronTap config file?

Click to expand instructions ...

  • Refer to Configure IronTap to find out more about EBCDIC code page configuration in IronTap is correct

z/OS applications might use code pages that differ from the system default code page.

Step 7: Ensure that your application is correctly instrumented by the agent

Click to expand instructions ...

  1. Set the agent log level to debug either via the UI or the agent config

  2. Restart your application

  3. Entries like 'Successfully instrumented class com.ibm.db2.jcc' should appear in the agent logs

Step 8: Activate ‘Logging Metrics’ or ‘Traces’ to monitor the agent

Click to expand Instana instructions ...

  • Enable "Logging Metrics or Traces to File" as described in the Instana Agent documentation

  • Ensure that the agent is creating traces for your application

Click to expand OpenTelemetry instructions ...

How do I share my IronTap logs with support?

Click to expand instructions ...

  • Ensure agent logs are active

  • Ensure IronTap logs are active

  • Run the relevant business applications for which tracing or metrics are needed

  • Attach the following files to your support ticket:

    • APM agent logs (regular log file as well as the metrics/traces log)

    • IronTap logs

How do I extract or collect SMF records for my z/IRIS support issue?

Click to expand instructions ...

  • If IronTap receives SMF records via TCP, enable IronTap's 'SMF dumps' capability as described in 'Configure IronTap'

  • If IronTap streams SMF records via Kafka, use the Kafka Record Extractor tool to collect and archive SMF records

Why is the zos.db2.cpu.time and zos.db2.elapsed.time zero?

Click to expand instructions ...

Answer: The mainframe administrator has to activate class 2 & 3 like in the following Db2 transaction trace-set:

-START TRACE(ACCTG) CLASS(1,2,3) IFCID(3) DEST(SMF) TDATA(CORRELATION)
BASH

Instana APM related FAQ

How do I deactivate the Instana JVM Instrumentation using JDBC 4.0 for Db2 on z/OS?

Click to expand instructions ...

Answer: Disable the feature by setting: -Dmainstorconcept.ziris.enable=false and remove z/IRIS related system properties. Restarting the JVM is required for the changes takes effect. Refer to “Activating z/IRIS JDBC instrumentation Instana” for more information.

How do I filter mainframe traces in Instana APM by numeric values?

Click to expand instructions ...

Answer: Currently this function is not available for call.tag tags in Instana APM. All values within a mainframe trace are String-based.