Today’s modern business environment requires a technology setup where multiple stand-alone systems are implemented and then expected to “talk” to each another seamlessly. In fact, no self-respecting business can now call itself a competitive one if it relies on a single system – or even a set of them with incompatible data output formats; the modern client demography will not allow it.

But there is a solution: one system that can bridge diverse data communication requests and handles systems’ integration well is WebLogic Server.

What is a WebLogic server?

A WebLogic Server is an application server that functions as a platform for developing, deploying, and running multi-tiered (n-tiered) distributed Java-based applications. It also serves as a bridge or “connector” between the applications that are hosted on it and the likes of remote databases or messaging servers.

  • SolarWinds WebLogic Performance Management Tool EDITOR’S CHOICE This tool is part of the SolarWinds Server and Application Monitor and it tracks WebLogic activity, noting application server threads and memory leaks. Runs on Windows Server. Get a 30-day free trial.
  • BEA WebLogic Administration Console An Oracle product that is a browser-based interface to your databases and WebLogic implementation. Includes server and application monitoring plus troubleshooting tools.
  • WebLogic Smart Dashboard and Monitoring (WLSDM) This clever tool from Volthread Information Technologies scans your WebLogic domain and gives recommendations on improvements when it is installed. It then continues to monitor and advise.

Oracle Corp. has become a popular provider of online transaction processing (OLTP) platforms in the market today, and WebLogic Server is one of the tools that have allowed the tech company to become such a major contender. They acquired this Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) server with their acquisition of BEA Systems in 2008.

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A WebLogic Server sits in the middle tier – along with the likes of proxies and firewalls. This is the tier that is located between the front-facing external applications (“Presentation or Client Layer” – usually browser-enabled interfaces with the outside world) and the database servers (“Backend Layer” – the servers where data is stored).

From this middleware position, a WebLogic Server centralizes application services such as:

  • Web services – the various functions of a web server
  • Business services – the business components of a process
  • Backend connectivity – enabling of connections to backend storage devices and servers

In other words, this Java-based application server enables an optimal and streamlined end-to-end performance of business processes. What’s more, the fact that it uses technology features like caching and connection pooling means WebLogic Server also helps with cutting down processing and transaction times.

Finally, it shouldn’t be forgotten that this server system also provides enterprise-level security and powerful role administration capabilities.

So, how exactly do you use WebLogic Server?

Now that we have seen the generic definition of what a WebLogic Server is, let us get a bit more technical and see if we can’t break down its components as we try to describe it.

The basic WebLogic architecture

Apart from serving as a J2EE server, a WebLogic Server can be used to organize and administer other servers and, thus, the services running on them. Before we look into that, let’s define a few digital concepts that are used in its realm.

Domain

This is a collection of applications that have been grouped together for ease of administration. A domain consists of an admin server and a number of managed servers that are under its control.

Base domain

This is a new domain that only has an admin server and nothing else. It may not be practical, but it can exist on its own.

Managed servers

These servers exist inside a domain and serve various purposes. Examples of such servers are SOA Suite, WebCenter Suite, and the Business Intelligence Suites.

The following video explains these concepts in a more visual way:

Oracle – Understanding WebLogic Architecture

What happens when you install WebLogic Server?

To download your copy of WebLogic Server you need to go to the Oracle Technology Network software download page. After accepting the license agreement and downloading your preferred version of the software, you are all set to start your installation.

The installation scenarios that can play out include:

  • Creation of a base domain – whenever you install a fresh instance of WebLogic you will, by default, create a basic domain with no managed servers. Until the managed servers are added, it really won’t do much.
  • Creation of managed servers in the base domain – next, you move on to creating managed servers that are added to the main base domain. This is called “extending the base domain.”
  • Creation of managed servers in new domains – if you decide you want to have your managed servers run in their own domain, WebLogic allows you to clone the existing admin server in the main domain and use it to create a new domain for your new managed server. This is known as “extending managed servers.”
  • Clustering managed servers – in this scenario, once the managed servers have been installed in their different domains they can be “clustered” together to be run by one admin server which can reside in either of the domains.

Whatever your choice of installation, or the initial choice of architectural configuration, you can always restructure your design later, depending on the needs of your business processes logic.

Who is the WebLogic Server for?

Ideally, a WebLogic Server would sit well in a business’ technology environment where it would be configured to help by:

  • Serving as a hosting solution for all Java-based applications
  • Acting as a home for high-end websites
  • Enhancing performance as an optimal and secure solution for issues with slow connectivity between front-end applications and back-end servers
  • Becoming a bridge able to handle the business’ scalability issues as the digital footprint continues to grow

In short, it can be said that WebLogic Server is an application server that has the future in its sights. It serves as the facilitator for other [Java] applications, business suites, and hardware devices that need to be included in a business’ data processing flow.

See also: Improve Java App Performance

What monitoring and management tools are used with WebLogic Servers?

A system that enables other systems needs to be configured and managed with care. It should itself be working well before it can oversee other systems. That is why it is important to keep track of their monitoring and management tools.

Below, we will have a look at three of the most popular WebLogic Server administration and monitoring tools.

Our methodology for selecting WebLogic Server tools

We reviewed the market for WebLogic Server monitoring and management systems and assessed the options based on the following criteria:

  • A service that can interface with WebLogic Server to extract activity statistics
  • A system that routinely collects server status reports
  • A package that can correlate WebLogic Server activity with server resource usage
  • A service that can track the activity of applications that access WebLogic Server
  • A system that includes memory management
  • A free trial or a demo package for a pre-purchase assessment opportunity
  • Value for money from a WebLogic Server monitoring tool that is offered at a reasonable price

SolarWinds WebLogic Performance Management Tool (FREE TRIAL)

Although it is a third-party product, SolarWinds WebLogic Performance Monitoring Tool is an administration suite that covers all aspects of monitoring and managing WebLogic Servers.

A look at this tool’s features gives us an insight into how powerful it actually is:

  • Monitoring of memory allocation and usage ensuring processes are completed without hogging resources

  • Server and application monitoring that provides in-depth performance insights into threads and pools. This includes current wait time and time taken for execution of requests, as well as keeping track of pending requests

  • When integrated with Server & Application Monitor, the SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer provides detailed analysis and reports on Oracle databases in correlation with WebLogic Server for a clearer picture

  • Monitoring of databases like SQL Server, MySQL, DB2, SAP ASE, and other databases allowing for almost 100% across-the-board communication when it comes to data storage

  • Monitoring of virtual environments and applications like VMware and Hyper-V allowing for replication and testing of simulated settings

As you can see, this tool can really drill down into a WebLogic Server installation and come up with concise reports that are not only informative but are also easy to grasp and pleasant on the eyes.

The SolarWinds WebLogic Performance Monitoring Tool comes with the Server and Application Monitor (SAM) and is available for download with a 30-day free trial.

Pros:

  • Designed with large and enterprise networks in mind
  • Supports auto-discovery that builds network topology maps and inventory lists in real-time based on devices that enter the network
  • Has some of the best alerting features that balance effectiveness with ease of use
  • Supports both SNMP monitoring as well as packet analysis, giving you more control over monitoring than similar tools
  • Uses drag and drop widgets to customize the look and feel of the dashboard

Cons:

  • Designed for IT professionals, not the best option for non-technical users

BEA WebLogic Administration Console

This native Oracle administration console is accessed via a web browser and run from an Administration Server instance of a WebLogic Server domain. It uses Java objects known as MBeans, each of which contains a set of attributes that define the parameters for the different functions and operations that are used to administer the server.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

The SolarWinds WebLogic Performance Management Tool is our top pick for a WebLogic Server tool because it watches all of the transactions of related applications as they use the WebLogic Server to exchange data. This service is part of the Server & Application Monitor, and this is a useful remit for WebLogic monitoring because it is important to watch over the performance of applications that interact with WebLogic as part of the WebLogic status checks. Other features in the Server & Application Monitor make it ideal for WebLogic Server monitoring, such as server memory tracking and Java activity scanning.

Download: Get a 30-day free trial

Official Site: https://www.solarwinds.com/server-application-monitor/registration

OS: Windows Server

Jobs that can be done using this administration tool include:

  • Starting, stopping of instances and configuration of clusters

  • Configuration of server services like database connectivity (JDBC) and messaging (JMS)

  • Security, administration, and managing of users, groups, and roles

  • Configuration and deployment of Java applications

  • Monitoring performance of servers and applications, troubleshooting help via server and domain log files

One thing that needs to be said here is that, although the interface may look a bit drab, don’t be fooled by its lack of colors and pizazz – after all, this is a powerful tool made by the people behind WebLogic Server itself.

WebLogic Smart Dashboard and Monitoring (WLSDM)

With WebLogic Smart Dashboard and Monitoring (WLSDM) we have another third-party administration and monitoring tool that is the “little engine that could”. It is a console extension – as opposed to a stand-alone solution – that prides itself on being a cheap solution (free for developers) that delivers results that are as good as that from the best of them.

  • Easy to deploy and manage

  • Works well out of the box, even in larger environments

  • Admin console could be more user friendly

  • Can have issues with newer versions of Java

  • Is cost-prohibitive for most smaller businesses

Some great features from WLSDM are:

  • Easy, quick, and non-resource-intensive installation – an advantage unique to extensions – that takes a snapshot of your WebLogic domain and makes recommendations right from the outset

  • Ability to create an infinite number of custom dashboards to address administrators’ needs of control and reporting queries

  • Easy-to-create alarms and notifications through the use of WLSDM metric browser

  • Storage and retrieval of old data – including metric data, back-end data, and even alarms – for comparison and analysis

  • Addition, and scheduling of, scripts for easy management of CRON jobs

As lean as WLSDM may seem to be, it still punches above its weight and delivers like the best of them – if not better.

What do the reviews say about WebLogic Servers?

Just like every software solution out there, WebLogic Server tool has its pros and cons; let’s have a look:

  • Acts as a console extension, making it an adorable option for smaller businesses

  • Can make dynamic recommendations from snapshots of your WebLogic domain

  • Is simpler than most other WebLogic server tools

  • Has a steep learning curve, would like to see more self-help resources

Should you get WebLogic Server?

WebLogic Servers are for businesses that have the computing power to carry the solution and can afford the rather steep fees – or those that think of it as an investment that is worth keeping their digital environment up and running smoothly.

  • It is a quality product from Oracle, the leading database software maker on the planet, and comes with data security and integrity guarantees

  • A robust fail-safe solution – it is a must for mission-critical computing environments

  • Ability to draw a complete picture over the WebLogic domain with compact reports that allow for easy comprehension and accurate decision making

  • Might appear to be a bit bulky and bloated when compared to other similar software solutions

  • It could also bite into processing times as it tackles issues in the background

  • Not every small-to-medium business can afford the rather complex licensing fees

Either way, with the monitoring and management tools that are available, WebLogic Server will continue to grow in popularity; especially with the Oracle fans who are spoilt for choice when it comes to the middle and peripheral Oracle suites that it’s compatible with.

In the long run, WebLogic Server will always be worth every single cent put into it – it will take over the monitoring of your technology while you focus on your business processes.

Go to the root domain for our WebLogic system. This should be MW_HOME\user_projects\domains\DOMAIN_NAME

For the Administration server run the script bin\startManagedWebLogic.cmd on Windows or bin/startWebLogic.sh on Unix.

For a managed server, run the script bin\startManagedWebLogic.cmd on Windows or bin/startManagedWebLogic.sh on Unix.

Oracle WebLogic Server Listen Port for Administration Server 

– default port: 7001, range: 7001 - 9000

Oracle WebLogic Server Listen Port for Managed Server 

– default port: 8001, range: 8000 - 8080

Oracle WebLogic Server Node Manager Port 

– default port: 5556

Oracle WebLogic Server SSL Listen Port for Administration Server 

– default port: 7002, range:  7002 - 9000