DB2® buffer pools are a key resource for ensuring good performance. This is becoming increasingly important as the difference between processor speed and disk response time for a random access I/O widens in each new generation of processor. A System z® processor can be configured with large amounts of storage which, if used wisely, can help compensate by using storage to avoid synchronous I/O.

The purpose of this Redpaper is to:

- Describe the functions of the DB2 buffer pools

- Introduce a number of metrics for read and write performance of a buffer pool

- Make recommendations on how to set up and monitor the DB2 buffer pools

- Provide results from using this approach at a number of customers

The paper is intended to be read by DB2 system administrators but it may be of interest to any z/OS® performance specialist. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with DB2 and performance tuning.