This self-paced course with hands-on exercises is also available as classroom course WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Problem Determination (WA591G).

This course teaches you how to manage WebSphere Application Server problems more skillfully within your organization by using problem determination tools and techniques. The instructor and students explore common scenarios that you might face in your daily activities. You also learn methodologies and techniques for problem determination, including how to use online IBM support tools to resolve problems. In addition, you learn how to communicate more effectively with IBM support teams so they can identify a problem and find its solution.

The course covers problems that are associated with Java virtual machine (JVM) tuning and memory management, database connectivity, connection pool configuration, security configuration, server start and stop failures, application deployment, web requests, and default messaging.

In hands-on lab exercises throughout the course, you gain practical experience with problem determination techniques by using your newly acquired skills within various scenarios. These scenarios include hung threads, OutOfMemory errors, crashes, data source configuration, security-related issues, server start and stop failures, web requests, and Java Message Service (JMS) message flow issues.

The lab environment for this course uses the Linux platform.

• Use IBM Support Assistant to organize and analyze problem artifacts
• Use problem determination techniques to identify common problems
• Apply problem investigation approaches such as analysis and isolation
• Gather diagnostic data problem artifacts by using administrative tools
• Troubleshoot JVM-related problems such as hung threads, out of memory issues, and crashes
• Use IBM Support Assistant to run tools that analyze diagnostic data
• Identify and troubleshoot common problems with database connections
• Configure and tune database connection pools
• Troubleshoot WebSphere security problems associated with authentication, authorization, SSL, and Java 2 policies
• Identify and resolve Java EE application deployment problems
• Troubleshoot HTTP request flow problems from web server to web container
• Identify and resolve application server startup failures
• Troubleshoot problems associated with WebSphere default messaging and SI bus
• Troubleshoot WebSphere installation problems
• Use Intelligent Management features to configure health policies and tasks
• Communicate effectively with IBM support teams

Exercises

• Exercise 1: Using the IBM Support Assistant Team Server 5.0 
• Exercise 2: Gathering diagnostic data 
• Exercise 3: Introduction to configuring garbage collection policies 
• Exercise 3: Introduction to configuring garbage collection policies 
• Exercise 4: Troubleshooting hung threads 
• Exercise 5: Troubleshooting crashes 
• Exercise 6: Troubleshooting an out-of-memory condition 
• Exercise 7: Troubleshooting database connection problems
• Exercise 8: Troubleshooting a connection leak 
• Exercise 9: Troubleshooting security problems 
• Exercise 10: Troubleshooting server start failures 
• Exercise 11: Troubleshooting request flow and web container problems
• Exercise 12: Troubleshooting WebSphere default messaging 
• Exercise 13: Configuring health management policies 

This intermediate course is designed for anyone who works on WebSphere related applications and projects, including administrators, IBM Business Partners, independent software vendors (ISVs), and consultants.

You should have basic operating skills for the Linux or UNIX operating systems.. You should also have WebSphere administration skills, which can be obtained through practical experience in administering a WebSphere Application Server environment or by completing one of these courses:

• WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Administration (WA855G)
• WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Administration (ZA855G)

• Course introduction
• Overview of WebSphere Application Server systems and components
• Using the IBM Support Assistant Team Server 5.0
• Exercise: Using the IBM Support Assistant Team Server 5.0
• Problem determination methods
• Gathering diagnostic data
• Exercise: Gathering diagnostic data
• Introduction to JVM-related problems
• Exercise: Introduction to configuring garbage collection policies
• How to troubleshoot hangs
• Exercise: Troubleshooting hung threads
• How to troubleshoot crashes
• Exercise: Troubleshooting crashes
• Introduction to WebSphere out-of-memory problems
• Exercise: Troubleshooting an out-of-memory condition
• Introduction to database connection problems
• Exercise: Troubleshooting database connection problems
• Tuning and connection pool management problems
• Exercise: Troubleshooting a connection leak
• WebSphere security configuration problems
• Exercise: Troubleshooting security problems
• Application deployment problems
• Server start failures
• Exercise: Troubleshooting server start failures
• Request flow and web container problems
• Exercise: Troubleshooting request flow and web container problems
• Default messaging provider problem determination
• Exercise: Troubleshooting WebSphere default messaging
• WebSphere installation problems when using IBM Installation Manager
• Intelligent Management problem determination and problem determination tools
• Exercise: Configuring health management policies
• Course summary