Overview of extract files

You can use the extract file for the following purposes:

• To obtain a subset of log records for further analysis, create an extract file and use it as input to a subsequent execution of the analysis job. Typically, less time and fewer resources are used in processing an extract file than are required for processing the original log record data sets. Sending a single extract file offsite is easier than sending multiple log record data sets. The analysis job can handle multiple input extract files.
• You can analyze IMS log data that was created at multiple sites by creating an extract file at each required local site and sending this file to the central site. When Log Analyzer processes all of these extract files in a single analysis job, all related message-switch data is combined into LUOWs that provide a single view of multiple IMS log records across multiple systems. This view is especially useful in MSC connected environments in which multiple message switches occur.
• Certain functions of the ISPF interface, such as viewing dumps of log records during interactive analysis of LUOWs, require access to the original log records. Log Analyzer finds these log records in the extract file. You must create an extract file if you plan to use the ISPF interface for these functions.