Using Java method traces to automatically characterize and model J2EE server applications

This paper describes a novel framework used to characterize a J2EE (Java Enterprise Edition) application and develop models of the application by using Java method tracing in a Java-technology based application server. Application servers are critical to large-scale, online servers and serve as middleware to provide secure access to transactional, legacy and web services. The tracing tool in this framework gives a detailed and comprehensive view of the sequences of methods invoked as the application server processes requests. The output of this tool is processed and automatically summarized into a set of transaction profiles which form the input for a simulation model of the application server and its related components. These profiles have proven to be a useful abstraction of the behavior of the transactions processed by the system. After describing the tool and the model, the paper provides results of validation runs and discusses the usefulness of quantitative measurement, analysis and modeling in some areas of system design and system deployment. The models help architects, designers, developers and deployers explore the different facets of performance during all stages of an application's life-cycle, especially during concept development and prototyping.