Configuring JConsole to View GlassFish Server Monitoring Data

Java SE provides tools to connect to an MBean Server and view the MBeans registered with the server. JConsole is one such popular JMX Connector Client and is available as part of the standard Java SE distribution. When you configure JConsole for use with GlassFish Server, GlassFish Server becomes the JMX Connector's server end and JConsole becomes the JMX connector's client end.

To Connect JConsole to GlassFish Server

Java SE 6 enhances management and monitoring of the virtual machine by including a Platform MBean Server and by including managed beans (MBeans) to configure the virtual machine.

To view all MBeans, GlassFish Server provides a configuration of the standard JMX connector server called System JMX Connector Server. As part of GlassFish Server startup, an instance of this JMX Connector Server is started. Any compliant JMX connector client can connect to the server using the JMX Connector Server.

By default, GlassFish Server is configured with a non-secure System JMX Connector Server. If this is an issue, the JMX connector can be removed. However, access can be restricted to a specific IP address (for example, the loopback address) by setting address to locahost.

1. Start the domain.

   For instructions, see To Start a Domain.

2. Start JConsole using this format: JDK_HOME/bin/jconsole

   For example:

   /usr/java/bin/jconsole

   The JConsole Connect to Agent window is displayed.

3. Click the Remote tab and type the host name and port.

   Always connect remotely with JConsole, otherwise MBeans will not load automatically.

4. Click Connect.
5. In the Remote Process text box, specify the JMX Service URL.

   For example:

   service:jmx:rmi:///jndi/rmi://localhost:8686/jmxrmi 

   The JMX Service URL is emitted by the server at startup, looking something like this:

   [#|2009-12-03T10:25:17.737-0800|INFO|glassfishv3.0|
   x..system.tools.admin.org.glassfish.server|_ThreadID=20;
   _ThreadName=Thread-26;|JMXStartupService: Started JMXConnector, JMXService 
   URL = service:jmx:rmi://localhost:8686/jndi/rmi://localhost:8686/jmxrmi|#]

   However, in most cases, simply entering host:port is fine, such as, 192.168.1.150:8686. The long Service URL is not needed.

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   Note - Another host name can be substituted for localhost. The default port number (8686) could change if the jmx-connector configuration has been modified.

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6. Click Connect.

   In the JConsole window you will see all your MBeans, JVM information, and so on, in various tabs. Most of the useful MBeans are to be found in the amx and java.lang domains.

See Also

For more information about JConsole, see http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E17409_01/javase/6/docs/technotes/guides/management/jconsole.html.