The Dataset Group feature versus the Dataset Attributes feature

OMEGAMON® XE for Storage on z/OS® gives you two powerful facilities for managing and monitoring data sets: the Dataset Group feature and the Dataset Attribute functions. Because both of these functions provide similar (although not identical) information, you need to be aware of when one approach is better than the other:

• Construct and use Dataset Groups when you have specific sets of similarly named data sets that need to be monitored, either for space or performance monitoring.
  Note: To see data-set-level I/O performance metrics, the volumes on which those data sets are located must have been defined for data-set-level I/O monitoring. For details, see the configuration procedure for the DASD Device Monitoring panel in the IBM® OMEGAMON for Storage on z/OS: Planning and Configuration Guide.
• Enable Dataset Attribute collection when you want to monitor overall space utilization, exceptions, statistics, trends, and so on with respect to data sets.
• Define Situations for Dataset Group tables that raise alerts if specific groups of data sets are in danger of running out of space or are performing poorly, as described in this section.
• Define Situations against Dataset Attribute tables to raise alerts when any data set exceeds a defined threshold (for example, number of extents) or when overall conditions (for example, total system free space) warrant that a warning be raised.