HP Global Workload Manager 7.3 and 7.3 Update 1 User Guide

1 Overview
This chapter provides an overview of gWLM, including benefits, key concepts and terms, and the
gWLM management model.
gWLM Overview
gWLM allows you to centrally define resource-sharing policies that you can use across multiple HP
servers. Using these policies can increase system utilization and facilitate controlled sharing of
system resources. In addition, gWLM provides both real-time and historical monitoring of the
resource allocation.
gWLM consists of a Matrix OE Central Management Server, or CMS. You configure gWLM and
monitor your workloads from the system where the CMS software is installed. Also, you use agent
software on the systems where you have workloads you want gWLM to manage.
Benefits of using gWLM
The benefits of using gWLM include:
• Better use of existing server capacity
Typically, servers are set up with a single workload and ample reserve capacity to handle the
peak demand of that workload. gWLM allows you to combine multiple workloads with differing
demand patterns on a single server and make use of the idle capacity—when it is not needed
by your mission-critical workload.
• Confidence that mission-critical workloads get the required resources
Even with multiple workloads on a server, you can ensure your mission-critical workload gets
the resources it needs. gWLM automatically adjusts resource allocation, making it easy to
share resources when they are plentiful, and to dedicate resources to workloads during spikes
in resource demand.
• Reduced system administration costs
With gWLM, you can combine more workloads on fewer servers, thereby reducing
administration costs.
Comparison of PRM, WLM, and gWLM features
Process Resource Manager (PRM), Workload Manager (WLM), and gWLM all enable you to
control system resources. Use only one of these products at a time on a system.
For a detailed comparison of WLM and gWLM features, see the white paper Migrating from WLM
to gWLM available from Enterprise Information Library. As for comparing PRM and gWLM features,
gWLM provides most of the PRM functionality. However, gWLM does not provide the following
PRM features:
• Memory controls
• Disk I/O controls
• Simultaneous management of processor sets and fss groups within a single HP-UX image
• Noncapped mode
• Integration with HP-UX Security Containment
• Integration with netgroup user lists
• Integration with HP System Management Homepage (SMH)
6 Overview