What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

Amy,

I think if you provide more specific information, someone may respond with useful settings.
e.g. OS version, Web service configuration, response time, request/second, etc.

IMHO, IWS is fast enough comparing with other Web service server configurations.
Ref : https://youtu.be/RUOfH6U5tRk?t=1077
* Display caption (Japanese) and let YouTube translate to your language.

------------------------------
Hideyuki Yahagi @ Japan
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

Dear Amy

Did you use REST?  If so, there are articles you can digest here :  https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/1142632

------------------------------
Satid Singkorapoom
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

Hi Amy,

If you can provide specific performance requirements versus the performance you are seeing now, that would be helpful. The most useful metrics are the timing for an individual API call (current vs desired) and the maximum requests per second of the API (current vs desired). Based on your specific requirements, I'd be happy to make recommendations where possible.

That being said, I do think it's important to note that performance wasn't the key goal of IWS. IWS was designed primarily to provide an easy-to-use wizard for creating simple APIs very quickly (and it does that very well). If your APIs are getting to a level of maturity that requires higher performance, stronger security, or greater functionality, it may be time to look at more industry-standard API systems such as Node.js. I do not know many companies that run heavy production workloads on IWS, but I'm happy to provide comparisons of different options based on my experience with various companies.

Full disclosure: I design production API architectures professionally. I'm happy to answer questions if you have any though. If you want to talk with me directly, I'm at aaron@eradani.com.

Good luck with your APIs!

------------------------------
Aaron Magid
VP, Open Source Technologies
Eradani
510-295-9297
aaron@eradani.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

IWS is based on the strategic Liberty server and performance is one of the key goals. 

In the programming guide on IWS web site, you will find a chapter on performance.  Please read that and if you have specific questions, then ask.  However, beyond what is in the chapter that I can think of:

• Use VARCHAR instead of CHAR.  
• Always stay on latest HTTP group and periodically redeploy your web services in order to pickup latest enhancements.  The redeployment can easily done using IWS QShell commands and properties files.

------------------------------
Nadir K Amra
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

Amy,

Re-reading your original post, are use basing your web services on SQL or ILE programs/service programs?  If ILE programs/service programs, are you keeping your connections to DB open so next time a request comes in everything is ready to process the request?

I guess we would need to understand the what your API is doing.

------------------------------
Nadir K Amra
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

We are using REST and deploying a SQL call to a SQL stored procedure.   Please provide a link to the programming guide on the IWS website that is referenced above.

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Thu May 19, 2022 11:34 AM
From: Nadir K Amra
Subject: IWS Performance

Amy,

Re-reading your original post, are use basing your web services on SQL or ILE programs/service programs?  If ILE programs/service programs, are you keeping your connections to DB open so next time a request comes in everything is ready to process the request?

I guess we would need to understand the what your API is doing.

------------------------------
Nadir K Amra

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

Dear Amy

If you do a Google search with "ibm i integrated web service guide", you will find a download link for IWS programming guide in the bottom part of this web page :  https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/integrated-web-services-ibm-i-web-services-made-easy


One simple thing to check is the MAX ACT parameter of *BASE memory pool (in which IWS jobs run by default).  Since IWS runs as multi-thread jobs, you need to ensure MAX ACT parameter of the memory pool in which IWS runs is high enough to accommodate all active threads of IWS and also all other active jobs that share the same memory pool and there are many system jobs running in *BASE pool (each ODBC connection runs in a single-thread (if DB2 SMP is not in use) job named QZDASOINIT which also runs in *BASE pool).   Use WRKSYSSTS command and change MAX ACT parameter of pool 2 (*BASE) to at least 1,000 to see if this helps or not.

If the above does not help, then consider how many data rows are returned by your stored procedure being tested?   If more than a few rows returned, the performance difference can be due to different SW path length between IWS and ODBC method that you tested.  The longer SW path length can be in IWS part or in the client part that receives the result set of the procedure.  What GUIs did you use for IWS and ODBC tests?

A customer used to asked for my analysis when he compared the performance between calling an SQL stored procedure in IBM i from his in-house Java applet application in a browser and Run SQL Script tool from IBM i Access for Windows (many rows were returned from the call).  Both methods used JDBC connection. The latter was faster but, after I asked some questions about the customer's applet, additional processing of the result set was done by the applet before the result was displayed.  The customer forgot about this additional SW path length and unrealistically expected his applet performance result to be similar to that of Run SQL Script tool.

------------------------------
Satid Singkorapoom
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Thu May 19, 2022 02:51 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

We are using REST and deploying a SQL call to a SQL stored procedure.   Please provide a link to the programming guide on the IWS website that is referenced above.

------------------------------
Amy Vozza

Original Message:
Sent: Thu May 19, 2022 11:34 AM
From: Nadir K Amra
Subject: IWS Performance

Amy,

Re-reading your original post, are use basing your web services on SQL or ILE programs/service programs?  If ILE programs/service programs, are you keeping your connections to DB open so next time a request comes in everything is ready to process the request?

I guess we would need to understand the what your API is doing.

------------------------------
Nadir K Amra

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

In my own opinion I don't recommend the use of IWS. You can have better performance and more easy to debug services using CGIDEV2 + YAJL or NOXDB.
Even with the latest enhancements on IWS from the last announce I see it like a product to do some testing but not to go to production. 
But if you want performance I think that you have to warm up the server, sending some petitions before the real users enter the server as the first petition is always slow.

------------------------------
Juan Manuel Alcudia
CD-Invest
IBM Champion
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

Again, we have many, many customers using IWS so this notion that IWS performs badly is not true.  However, you have to realize that IWS is based on Java technologies.  So yes, I can create a CGI program that may perform slightly better but then the CGI application is responsible for parsing the data, converting the data, formulating the response in the correct format, etc.   Not hard, but you have to do it.  IWS does all this for you.

In your testing, you have to ensure that you warm up the server before taking measurements. Since there is some initial job setup that must be done.  But once this initial setup is done, the host server jobs stay up and are reused.

As indicating in previous posts, the IWS web site is where you will find documentation.

P.S. it you deploying a web service using SQL statements, you may find that using ILE program/service program to be a better fit since your program will have total control on what things to keep around so subsequent requests perform faster.

------------------------------
Nadir K Amra
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Thu July 07, 2022 10:38 AM
From: Juan Manuel Alcudia Peñas
Subject: IWS Performance

In my own opinion I don't recommend the use of IWS. You can have better performance and more easy to debug services using CGIDEV2 + YAJL or NOXDB.
Even with the latest enhancements on IWS from the last announce I see it like a product to do some testing but not to go to production. 
But if you want performance I think that you have to warm up the server, sending some petitions before the real users enter the server as the first petition is always slow.

------------------------------
Juan Manuel Alcudia
CD-Invest
IBM Champion

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

Hi @Juan Manuel Alcudia Peñas,

I am just looking around about IWS Performance and I saw this post of yours in 2022. Is this still your position to date?

I am actually evaluating IWS as an option in migrating our DB2 Stored Procedures (some are pure SQL and some are externally calling RPG programs). They are currently invoked by our MW using JDBC connections. The plan is to initially expose them as a Rest Service so that MW (acting as rest client) can invoke them via HTTP instead of JDBC. I am also thinking of having those SP converted to RPG. So that RPG shall be exposed directly as Rest API.

Best regards. 

------------------------------
Del Abalos
pasay city AL
63-906-246-7417
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Thu July 07, 2022 10:38 AM
From: Juan Manuel Alcudia Peñas
Subject: IWS Performance

In my own opinion I don't recommend the use of IWS. You can have better performance and more easy to debug services using CGIDEV2 + YAJL or NOXDB.
Even with the latest enhancements on IWS from the last announce I see it like a product to do some testing but not to go to production. 
But if you want performance I think that you have to warm up the server, sending some petitions before the real users enter the server as the first petition is always slow.

------------------------------
Juan Manuel Alcudia
CD-Invest
IBM Champion

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

There are MANY ways to Rest APIs on IBM i.  There are now a number of ISV that have solutions.. each doing a bit different yet the same.  You can also do it your self as pointed out.  The IWS support is used by MANY MANY IBM i shops.  Why? It works, Its securable, It performs.  Are others faster ?  Maybe... The other factors to consider, IWS is an integrated part of the IBM i operating system. The user has to only point at the RPG program / service program or SQL statement and the Rest API , infrastructure, hosting everything is handled.  While many technologist have their own view, for sure IWS is enterprise ready.

------------------------------
Tim Rowe
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Mon September 30, 2024 03:13 AM
From: Del Abalos
Subject: IWS Performance

Hi @Juan Manuel Alcudia Peñas,

I am just looking around about IWS Performance and I saw this post of yours in 2022. Is this still your position to date?

I am actually evaluating IWS as an option in migrating our DB2 Stored Procedures (some are pure SQL and some are externally calling RPG programs). They are currently invoked by our MW using JDBC connections. The plan is to initially expose them as a Rest Service so that MW (acting as rest client) can invoke them via HTTP instead of JDBC. I am also thinking of having those SP converted to RPG. So that RPG shall be exposed directly as Rest API.

Best regards. 

------------------------------
Del Abalos
pasay city AL
63-906-246-7417

Original Message:
Sent: Thu July 07, 2022 10:38 AM
From: Juan Manuel Alcudia Peñas
Subject: IWS Performance

In my own opinion I don't recommend the use of IWS. You can have better performance and more easy to debug services using CGIDEV2 + YAJL or NOXDB.
Even with the latest enhancements on IWS from the last announce I see it like a product to do some testing but not to go to production. 
But if you want performance I think that you have to warm up the server, sending some petitions before the real users enter the server as the first petition is always slow.

------------------------------
Juan Manuel Alcudia
CD-Invest
IBM Champion

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

Hello,

Rest services with IWS will be better than JDBC. And probably converting the programs to RPG will be faster than SP. I don't use IWS because I think there are better and faster solutions but it's still a valid tool and it became better with new versions.

------------------------------
Juan Manuel Alcudia
CD-Invest
IBM Champion
President of Common Europe
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Mon September 30, 2024 03:13 AM
From: Del Abalos
Subject: IWS Performance

Hi @Juan Manuel Alcudia Peñas,

I am just looking around about IWS Performance and I saw this post of yours in 2022. Is this still your position to date?

I am actually evaluating IWS as an option in migrating our DB2 Stored Procedures (some are pure SQL and some are externally calling RPG programs). They are currently invoked by our MW using JDBC connections. The plan is to initially expose them as a Rest Service so that MW (acting as rest client) can invoke them via HTTP instead of JDBC. I am also thinking of having those SP converted to RPG. So that RPG shall be exposed directly as Rest API.

Best regards. 

------------------------------
Del Abalos
pasay city AL
63-906-246-7417

Original Message:
Sent: Thu July 07, 2022 10:38 AM
From: Juan Manuel Alcudia Peñas
Subject: IWS Performance

In my own opinion I don't recommend the use of IWS. You can have better performance and more easy to debug services using CGIDEV2 + YAJL or NOXDB.
Even with the latest enhancements on IWS from the last announce I see it like a product to do some testing but not to go to production. 
But if you want performance I think that you have to warm up the server, sending some petitions before the real users enter the server as the first petition is always slow.

------------------------------
Juan Manuel Alcudia
CD-Invest
IBM Champion

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------

Hi Del,

I total agree with Tim AND with Juan.

The answer is like it is in many situations: It depends.

If you are running 5-10 Requests per Minute, then IWS is not a bad solution right now. It gets better every year.

If you are running 500 Requests (or more) per Minute (which more and more of my customers do) then you should really look for alternatives because in this case you need normally a much faster POWER System with much more RAM and then the argument that IWS is for free is not valid.
Why?
Because IWS is based on Websphere and Java. Java needs resources - a lot of resources. Much more than the ILE environment does.

Another thing you should think about is the effort of creating, publishing and maintaining your Webservices.

With IWS you have a lot of additional work to do which you don't have for example if you use noxDB in combination with IceBreak.

With IceBreak you have an Application Server which is totally created within the ILE environment and written in RPG and C so you need not so much resources (CPU and RAM) which means you can run a lot of requests per Minute with the same machine you already have.

Of course there are many other way in the meantime and all of them have their advantages and disadvantages so you need to compare and always think about what you really want and need to do.

No matter how you will do it: Webservices are better in most cases than direct access to the database and from our experience (I'll do Webservices on IBM i and other platforms since 2003) they are faster right now.

Go on and go on on IBM i!

------------------------------
Markus A. Litters
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Tue October 01, 2024 12:34 PM
From: Juan Manuel Alcudia Peñas
Subject: IWS Performance

Hello,

Rest services with IWS will be better than JDBC. And probably converting the programs to RPG will be faster than SP. I don't use IWS because I think there are better and faster solutions but it's still a valid tool and it became better with new versions.

------------------------------
Juan Manuel Alcudia
CD-Invest
IBM Champion
President of Common Europe

Original Message:
Sent: Mon September 30, 2024 03:13 AM
From: Del Abalos
Subject: IWS Performance

Hi @Juan Manuel Alcudia Peñas,

I am just looking around about IWS Performance and I saw this post of yours in 2022. Is this still your position to date?

I am actually evaluating IWS as an option in migrating our DB2 Stored Procedures (some are pure SQL and some are externally calling RPG programs). They are currently invoked by our MW using JDBC connections. The plan is to initially expose them as a Rest Service so that MW (acting as rest client) can invoke them via HTTP instead of JDBC. I am also thinking of having those SP converted to RPG. So that RPG shall be exposed directly as Rest API.

Best regards. 

------------------------------
Del Abalos
pasay city AL
63-906-246-7417

Original Message:
Sent: Thu July 07, 2022 10:38 AM
From: Juan Manuel Alcudia Peñas
Subject: IWS Performance

In my own opinion I don't recommend the use of IWS. You can have better performance and more easy to debug services using CGIDEV2 + YAJL or NOXDB.
Even with the latest enhancements on IWS from the last announce I see it like a product to do some testing but not to go to production. 
But if you want performance I think that you have to warm up the server, sending some petitions before the real users enter the server as the first petition is always slow.

------------------------------
Juan Manuel Alcudia
CD-Invest
IBM Champion

Original Message:
Sent: Wed May 18, 2022 01:01 PM
From: Amy Vozza
Subject: IWS Performance

What steps can we do to improve performance of IWS?  Can you point me to specific configuration or documentation for that?  We are finding in testing that running a deployed service via IWS is slower than utilizing ODBC for the same service, and we're hoping to close that gap or at least reduce it.  For example, one setting in deploying the service allows for a Trim mode for output fields, and the help documentation specifically states that using None there gives better performance.  What other settings in the service deployment or server configuration might help with performance?   What other steps can we do to performance tune IWS?

------------------------------
Amy Vozza
------------------------------