Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

...the differences and the uses for topas, nmon, top and any other monitoring / analysis tools in AIX please. I would like to understand in what instances would you use each tool and how to understand and use the information. I know it's a big request, many thanks in advance.

Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

Although this won't likely save you from being harshly criticized for asking before googling, these two links will provide answers to your question.

1. A simple search on IBM's site...
http://www.ibm.com/search/?lv=c&o=20&en=utf&v=14&lang=en&cc=us&q=+%2BAIX++%2BPerformance+%2Btools+%2BTuning

2. The AIX InfoCentre
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/pseries/v5r3/index.jsp?topic=/com.ibm.aix.doc/infocenter/base/aixinformation.htm

-a

Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

As an indictaion of exactly how big a topic this is you might want to take a look at http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246039.html which is over a 1000 pages long. The tools you mention don't even scratch the surface of the subject.

Since your question seemed a little open-ended perhaps you could clarify what you're trying to accomplish.

Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

They're all much of a muchness. Try them and see which one you like the look of. Personally, I like nmon because it's more flexible.