MB Software Gets A Handle On Remote SQL Jobs

November 28, 2018 Alex Woodie

System administrators who get frustrated with the inability to see which SQL jobs coming in through ODBC are causing problems on their IBM i server may be interested in a product called Work with Active SQL (WRKACTSQL) from MB Software and Consulting, which recently announced the tool will be free through the end of the year.

SQL is just about as close to a universal language for business as you can get. While there are other (i.e. “native”) methods of fetching data from Db2 for i, nearly three-quarters of IBM i developers report using SQL, making it the number two most popular development language on IBM i, after RPG (which can use “native” calls or SQL).

The problem is, not all SQL jobs are created equal. When it comes to administering to an IBM i server that’s processing a large number of SQL jobs, things can get dicey for those charged with ensuring that things run smoothly.

Every IBM i administrator is familiar with the Work with Active Jobs (WRKACTJOB) command from IBM, which displays every active jobs on the system and tells them which ones are consuming the most resources. WRKACTJOB is a great command.

However, that command doesn’t always provide the needed level of clarity on all jobs, particularly when remote SQL requests are coming in over the network through the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) exit point.

When remote SQL queries consume resources through ODBC and JDBC, WKRACTJOB displays the jobs under the QZDASOINIT heading. Jobs that originate on Web and mobile clients, and even SQL queries fired off from System i Navigator, all fall under this QZDASOINIT umbrella.

The problem is that administrators have no idea what these QZDASOINIT jobs are doing or what code they’re associated with. All they see is that these QZDASOINIT jobs are consuming a lot of system resources, and they need to address the problem.

Remote SQL queries are exposed for what they really are with MB Software and Consulting’s WRKACTSQL tool.

That’s where MB Software and Consulting’s WRKACTSQL tool comes into the picture. The command is designed to give visibility and control over remote ODBC requests by showing the actual SQL statements that are impacting the system in real time, thereby allowing systems administrators to react appropriately.

According to MB Software and Consulting, WKRACTSQL lets admins hold, terminate, or change run priority for specific SQL requests that running on the system. It also lets them set up alerts to automatically receive notification when a user runs the same SQL request that caused the problem in the first place. The software also lets administrators block specific users and specific SQL requests from getting access to the system.

MB Software and Consulting normally charges $500 per LPAR for WRKACTSQL. But as part of a promotion unveiled last month, the New York company is giving the tool away for free through December 31. For more information see the company’s website at www.mb-software.com.

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