Everything you do in Performance Manager occurs within a session. A session is to Performance Manager as a file is to an editor. You can change sessions, save sessions, and recall previous sessions.

When creating a session, you can use the default session settings or select which nodes to monitor and which metrics to watch, and set up any thresholds or archives. One session window can contain both display and threshold metrics, and is identified by file name.

To create a session (click on this image for an expanded view in a separate window)

1. From the main window's File menu or toolbar, choose New Session.

2. Select a node, cluster, or group in the main window's nodes area. The work area will appear to the right.

3. Click on the Display or Threshold button, if not already selected.

4. Select a metric category from the horizontally scrolling list at the top of the work area.

5. Under Metrics, set a metric check box.

6. If you are working in the Display work area, use the metric's related option menu to choose:
   • Display type.
   • Sampling interval.

7. If you are working in the Threshold work area, use the metric's related option menu to choose:
   • Value
   • Re-arm point
   • Notification methods
   • Tolerance
   • Interval

8. After the session window opens, choose actions from the buttons on the session window toolbar:
   • Expand
     Click this button to display a selected title. Display metrics are expanded by default.

     Collapse

     Click this button to close the display, showing only the title. Threshold metrics are collapsed by default.

     Float

     Click this button to detach (float) this window.

   A visual alert icon by the title displays the State (crossed or not crossed, waiting for data, data request timed out) of the threshold.

9. Repeat the steps (except step 1) for every node, cluster, or group you want to monitor.

10. To start the session you have just created, click on the Start Session button.

When you are through, stop the session. Sessions can be saved and recalled later, which eliminates the need to respecify your choices, but you can change anything about a session.

After creating a new session or opening a previously saved session, you need to start it in order to open the session window and monitor data.

To start a session
Click on the main window's Start Session button.

To save a session
From the File menu, choose Save Session or Save Session As.

• From the main window's File menu, choose Save Session. The File Selection dialog box opens.
• Provide a name for the session; the default extension is .spm.

To recall a previous session
From the File menu, choose Open Session.

• From the main window's File menu, choose Open Session.The File Selection dialog box opens.
• Choose a session from the dialog box.

To stop a session
In the main window, click on the Stop Session button. You can also stop a session by choosing Stop Session from the session window's File menu.