Global Cache Statistics Test

The global cache is embedded in the integration node of the IBM Integration Bus. This global cache is a repository for data that you want to reuse. For example, you can use a global cache in WebSphere MQ message flows to store correlation information for use beyond a specific message flow node, instance of a message flow, integration server, or integration node. The cache facilitates sharing of data across processes (both in the same integration node, and across integration nodes) and eliminates the need for an alternative solution, such as a database. You can use one message flow node to store data in the global cache, then a second node (in the same message flow or a separate flow), can retrieve that data from the global cache.

You can use a message flow node to interact with the global cache. Interactions with the cache happen outside the message flow transaction, and are committed immediately. If an exception is thrown downstream of the node that interacts with the cache, the cache interactions are not rolled back.

A global cache is said to be effectively utilized only if it is able to service the maximum number of requests to the IBM Integration Bus; this greatly reduces direct data accesses and related overheads, and thus improving the server performance. On the contrary, ineffective cache usage can be the key contributor to a slowdown or degradation in server performance, as it increases direct data accesses.

This test monitors each global cache of the IBM Integration Bus and reports its usage - in terms of its request serving ability. In the process, the test proactively alerts administrators to the under-utilization of the global cache and the failures in connecting to the cache, and helps them quickly initiate corrective measures.

Target of the test : An IBM Integration Bus

Agent deploying the test : An internal/remote agent.

Outputs of the test : One set of results for each Execution group:decision service that is to be monitored

Configurable parameters for the test
Parameters Description

Test period

How often should the test be executed

Host

The host for which the test is to be configured

Port

The port on which the specified host listens

JNDI Namespace Location

Indicate where the JNDI namespace has been created. For this, select one of the following options: File or LDAP. Select File if the JNDI namespace is created in the same location as that of the IIB server.

SSL

If you have chosen LDAP as the JNDI Namespace Location wherein the LDAP server communicating with the IIB server that is to be monitored is an SSL-enabled server, then set the SSL flag to Yes. By default, this flag is set to No.

User DN and Password

Here, provide the credentials of the Active Directory user created as explained in Creating a user in the Active Directory server, if the target IIB server is monitored in an agentless manner. If the IIB server is to be monitored in an agent based manner, specify none against these parameters.

Confirm Password

Confirm the PASSWORD by retyping it in this text box.

JNDI Provider URL

Specify the URL that was specified as the provider URL while creating the initial context. To know the Provider URL, refer to Agent based monitoring of the IIB server if you choose to monitor the target IIB server in an agent based manner and Agentless Monitoring of the IIB server if you chose to monitor the target IIB server in an agentless manner.

TopicConnectionFactory

Specify the name of the connection factory in this text box. If you have chosen to monitor the target IIB server in an agent-based manner, refer to Creating a Connection Factory and if you have chosen to monitor the target IIB server in an agentless manner, refer to Creating a Connection Factory.

JMS Resource Stats

Specify the name of the JMS destination that you have created for storing the Resource statistics. If you chose to monitor the target IIB server in an agentless manner, refer to Creating the JMS Destinations and if you choose to monitor the target IIB server in an agent based manner, refer to Agent based monitoring of the IIB server.

JMS Flow Stats

Specify the name of the JMS destination that you have created for storing the Message flow statistics. If you chose to monitor the target IIB server in an agentless manner, refer to Creating the JMS Destinations and if you choose to monitor the target IIB server in an agent based manner, refer to Agent based monitoring of the IIB server.

Measurements made by the test
Measurement Description Measurement Unit Interpretation

Successful connects to the cache

Indicates the number of successful attempts that were made from the integration server to this global cache during the last measurement period.

Number

 

Map reads

Indicates the number of read operations that were completed by message flows in the integration server on this global cache during the last measurement period.

Number

A high value is desired for this measure. A low value or a consistent drop in this value is a cause for concern, as it indicates ineffective cache usage. This means high direct accesses of data, and poor server performance. One of the common reasons for bad cache usage is improper cache size. A cache that does not have sufficient space to accommodate entries will not be able to service requests effectively. You may hence have to allocate more space to the cache or free-up space in the cache to accommodate more entries.

Map writes

Indicates the number of write operations that were completed by message flows in the integration server on this global cache during the last measurement period.

Number

This measure is incremented when adding or updating an entry in the cache.

A high value is desired for this measure. A low value or a consistent drop in this value is a cause for concern, as it indicates ineffective cache usage. This means high disk accesses, and poor server performance. One of the common reasons for bad cache usage is improper cache size. A cache that does not have sufficient space to accommodate entries will not be able to service requests effectively. You may hence have to allocate more space to the cache or free-up space in the cache to accommodate more entries.

Map removes

Indicates the number of remove operations that were completed by message flows in the integration server on this global cache during the last measurement period.

Number

This measure is incremented when an entry is removed/updated from the cache.

Message failed operations on the cache map

Indicates the number of failed map operations by message flows in the integration server on this global cache during the last measurement period.

Number

 

Map used

Indicates the total number of maps used by message flows in the integration server on this global cache during the last measurement period.

Number

 

Connection failures

Indicates the number of failed attempts to connect from the integration server to the global cache during the last measurement period.

Number

A low value is desired for this measure. A high value or a consistent increase in this value is a cause for concern, as it indicates ineffective cache usage.

Total map actions

Indicates the number of map operations that were completed by message flows in the integration server on the global cache during the last measurement period.

Number

The value of this measure includes reads, writes, removes, and key checks.