Whenever you adjust your system, you should monitor its behavior
afterward to be sure that you have obtained the desired results.
To observe results, use the Monitor utility and the various forms
of the DCL command SHOW. Refer to the HP OpenVMS DCL Dictionary for detailed information
about the SHOW command. See
Invoking MONITOR for information about using MONITOR. Refer to
the HP OpenVMS System Management Utilities Reference Manual for detailed descriptions of MONITOR commands.
For example, you might consider running some programs (whose
results you believe are fixed and reproducible) at the same time
that you run your normal work load. If you run the programs and
measure their running times under nearly identical work load conditions
both before and after your adjustments, you can obtain a basis for
comparison.
However, when applying this technique, remember to take the
measurements under very similar work load conditions. Also, remember
that this test alone does not provide conclusive proof of success.
The possibility always exists that your adjustments may have favored
the performance of the image you are measuring---to the detriment
of other images. Therefore, in all cases, continue to observe system
behavior closely for a time after you make any changes.