Overview

Managing Db2 databases can be complex. Traditionally, you might juggle many tools, sift through confusing logs, and spend hours fixing performance problems. But the IBM Db2 Intelligence Center (DIC) changes the game.

DIC is an AI-powered, all-in-one platform that makes monitoring and managing your Db2 environment simple and efficient. It provides real-time metrics, historical trends, and actionable insights — all in one place. With over 70 key Db2 metrics displayed through intuitive dashboards and charts, you can quickly spot performance issues, track resource use, and keep your systems healthy.

One of its standout features is the Db2 Assistant , an AI helper you can talk to naturally. Ask questions like, “What was the CPU usage yesterday at 2 PM?” or “How much space is this table using?” and get instant answers.

Whether you’re tuning queries, managing replication, or working with external authentication systems like LDAP or Microsoft Entra ID, the Db2 Intelligence Center (DIC) provides a unified, intelligent experience that simplifies it all.

Exploring the Landing Page: Your Dashboard at a Glance

The Landing Page offers a quick snapshot of your Db2 environment, highlighting key metrics, activities, and tools to help you monitor and manage databases more efficiently.

• See the top 5 databases using the most resources
• Manage and filter databases by tags
• View all database connections, with details on availability and active alerts
• Check alert notifications with full details
• Review job execution history
• Interact with the integrated Db2 Assistant for instant answers
• Switch easily between light and dark themes for your preferred look

Monitor Page: Dive Deep into Your Database Metrics

The Monitor Page is where you explore detailed performance data for your Db2 databases.

• Choose a database to see its connection details and real-time status.
• View alert notifications specific to that database, and filter metrics by alert time to troubleshoot faster.
• Use global filters to refine charts and tables by date, user, or application for focused analysis.

You’ll find key performance metrics like:

• Time Spent – Indicates the percentage of time taken by database calls.

• Resource Utilization – Monitors CPU, memory, log space, and storage usage.

• Throughput – Measures processed SQL statements and rows read.

• Contention – Tracks lock waits and concurrent database connections.

• Response Time – Shows how long the database takes to respond to queries.

• Responsiveness – Reflects the system’s ability to handle user requests promptly.

Plus, many specialized tabs offer detailed insights into different areas:

• Database: Time spent, usage, and partition details
• HADR Information: High availability and disaster recovery metrics
• Statement: SQL execution, cache, and stored procedures
• Locking: Blocked connections, locked objects, and locking events
• Applications: Top users, connections, and utility jobs
• Throughput: Connection summaries and partition skew
• Memory: Instance and database memory usage
• I/O: Buffer pools, prefetching, and logging
• Storage: Table and tablespace performance and utilization
• Db2 pureScale: pureScale status and member performance
• Workload Management: Workload summaries and service class details

All these tabs give you a complete, in-depth view of your database health — all on one page.

SQL Workbench: Simplify Your Querying

The SQL Workbench page helps you explore databases and run queries with ease:

• Use the Object Explorer on the left to navigate databases and view tables or table contents quickly.

• Customize which columns you want to see for a better, personalized view.
• Start querying by opening a new tab, each connected to a specific database selected from the top right. Queries run only on the chosen connection.
• Export query results in CSV or XLSX formats.
• The Smart Syntax Assistant offers suggestions, error checks, and formatting help as you write queries.
• Optimize your SQL with a single click using the Tune feature, and review recommendations in the Query Tuning Log .

• Understand query execution with the Explain feature, which shows detailed plans in graph, tree, or table formats.

Console Administration includes:

• Connection Profiles: Manage multiple database connections from one place.

• License and Trial Management

• HTTPS: Enable secure HTTPS access to the IBM Db2 Intelligence Center.

• Email: Configure an email server to send notifications and alerts.

• SNMP: Enable the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) server to receive SNMP traps.

• JVM: Enable the Java Virtual Manager (JVM) for monitoring and managing database performance.

• Repository Setup: Enable repositories for monitoring and SQL execution.

• Replication: Manage data copies to reduce downtime and data loss.

• User Management: Control users and privileges, and set up LDAP or repository authentication.

• Monitoring: Create monitoring profiles, set up event captures, and opt into stats monitoring.

• Reports: Generate reports on performance, SQL activity, and storage use.

• Blackouts: Schedule blackout times for the console.

• Database Assistant: Configure the assistant to help with queries.

• Jobs: Create scheduled or on-demand SQL, CLP, or shell jobs.

Database Administration (after selecting a database connection):

• Data Management: Manage storage objects, workloads, and configuration parameters.
• Monitoring: Set up monitoring profiles and alerts specific to the database.
• Access Control: Manage data security and access permissions.

Final Thoughts

The IBM Db2 Intelligence Center simplifies Db2 database management by bringing powerful insights, smart automation, and easy-to-use tools into a single platform. Whether you're monitoring performance, tuning queries, or managing users, DIC helps you work smarter, not harder.

Explore the features, and see how it can transform your Db2 experience!