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Remote Monitoring via JConsole

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to configure your Java application with JMX (Java Management Extension) tools to allow remote monitoring via JConsole (Java Monitoring and Management Console). The application provides information on the performance and resource consumption of your Java instances.

What is JMX?

JMX lets you implement management interfaces for Java applications and control your applications remotely. It provides tools for managing and monitoring applications, system objects, devices, and service-oriented networks. The JMX architecture dynamics enable you to use it for monitoring and controlling resources as they are implemented and installed.

Some of the main benefits that you get using JMX remote monitoring are:

  • ability to manage Java applications and servers without heavy investment
  • scalable management architecture
  • ability to leverage future management concepts

Preparing Java Environment

You need to ensure that your Java environment allows external access, which requires public IP attached to it.

Tip: If you don’t have a Java environment yet, you can create one in a minute - click the New Environment button, select the Java tab in the opened wizard, choose and configure any preferred application server. Do not forget to add public IP and click Create to proceed.

new Java environment

1. Expand your Java node in the dashboard to view its IPs. If no public IP is attached, click on the appropriate Attach/Detach IP(s) button to add one.

attach detach public IP

2. For example, set one public IPv4 and click Apply.

add IPv4 address

3. Once you’ve ensured that public IP is attached to the node, you need to allow a TCP port that will be used by RMI (e.g. 9999) in the firewall. Open environment Settings > Firewall > Inbound Rules and Add the appropriate rule.

add RMI firewall rule

4. Next, you need to enable JMX for the Java application server. Click the Config button for your node and add the following system properties to the /opt/tomcat/conf/variables.conf file:

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-Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote
-Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.port={port}
-Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.rmi.port={port}
-Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.ssl=false
-Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.authenticate=false
-Djava.rmi.server.hostname={publicIp}

Here:

  • {port} - port that will be used by RMI (same as in firewall, 9999 in our example)
  • {publicIp} - external address attached to the Java node

configure JMX for Java

Save the changes and Restart your application server.

Connect via JConsole

In our tutorial, we use the JConsole tool for the remote connection. So, run JConsole (…/jdk/bin/jconsole) on your local computer and create a new remote connection (enter the public IP address of your Java application server and the port number that you have specified in variables.conf).

Note: You need a JDK installed on your computer to use JConsole.

JConsole connect to remote host

After providing a remote host, click Connect to monitor your server.

JConsole remote Java monitoring

That’s all! Remote connection via JConsole to your Java server at the platform is successfully established.

What’s next?