WAS v8.5 > Tune performance > Tune the application serving environment > Tune operating systems

Tune HP-UX systems

This topic describes how to tune the HP-UX operating system to optimize the performance of your WebSphere Application Server. Because the HP-UX operating system is not a WAS product, be aware that it can change and results vary

On the HP-UX operating system, WAS runs on the JVM, which is based on the technology of Sun HotSpot JVM. Properly tuning this JVM significantly affects WAS performance by fully utilizing its performance optimizing characteristics. See the setting up the JVM on the HP-UX system information. It is also important to change some parameters specific to the HP-UX operating system to prevent WAS from being deprived of resources.

When we have a performance concern, check the operating system settings to determine if they are appropriate for the application.

• Configure the following settings and variables according to your tuning needs:

  • Tune the HP operating system with the DB2 type 2 JDBC driver

    When using the type 2 JDBC driver on the HP operating system with DB2, we can increase the performance of WAS by preallocating the DB2 trace segment. Perform the following steps:

    1. Before starting application server, switch to the user associated with the DB2 instance.

    2. Run the db2trc alloc command.
    3. Start application server.

    
    Usage note: Use the type 4 driver for best performance and compatibility.

    Another issue with the type 2 JDBC driver on the HP operating system is code page conversion. Creating the database using the UTF-8 code set avoids this problem and significantly increases performance. See the database documentation for instructions on creating databases with a specific code set. Read the DB2 tuning parameters information.

  • The HP performance tuning parameters

    Modify HP-UX 11i settings to significantly improve WAS performance. For additional information about the HP performance tuning parameters, see the performance: resources for learning information.

  • JVM virtual page size

    • Sets the JVM instruction and data page sizes to 64 MB to improve performance.

    • How to view or set: Use the WASHOME/java/bin/SYSTEM_ARCH_PATH/java command. The command output provides the current operating system characteristics of the process executable.

    • Default: 4 MB, if not assigned

    • Recommended value: 64 MB

  • HP-UX 11i TCP_CONN_REQUEST_MAX

    • Maximum number of connection requests the operating system can queue when the server does not have available threads. When high connection rates occur, a large backlog of TCP/IP connection requests builds up and client connections are dropped. Adjust this setting when clients start to time out after waiting to connect. Verify this situation by issuing the netstat -p tcp command. Look for the following value: connect requests dropped due to full queue

    • How to view or set: Set this parameter using the ndd -set /dev/tcp tcp_conn_request_max 8192 command.

    • Default: 4096

    • Recommended value: In most cases the default is sufficient. Consider adjusting this value to 8192, if the default proves inadequate.

  • HP-UX 11i kernel parameter recommendations

    Refer to the table of kernel parameters shown in the "Preparing HP-UX systems for installation" topic in the information center.

  • TCP_KEEPALIVE_INTERVAL

    • Determines the interval between probes.

    • How to view or set: Use the ndd command to determine the current value or to set the value. For example:
      ndd -set /dev/tcp tcp_keepalive_interval 7200000

    • Default: None

    • Recommended value: 7200000 milliseconds

  • TCP_KEEPALIVES_KILL

    • Determines the maximum number of times to probe before dropping.

    • How to view or set: Use the ndd command to determine the current value or to set the value. For example:
      ndd -set /dev/tcp tcp_keepalives_kill 1

    • Default: 1

    • Recommended value: 1

• 
  Keeping current with the operating system and Java patches is one of the most important things we can do to optimize the performance of a server. For the latest Java patches, visit the following website:
  HP-UX Patch Information

  Also, for the latest operating system quality pack, visit the following website:
  Support Plus: Quality Pack Bundles

Results

This tuning procedure improves performance of WAS on the HP-UX operating system.

After tuning your operating system for performance, consult the other tuning topics for various tuning tips.

Related

Tune Windows systems
Tune Linux systems
Tune AIX systems
Tune Solaris systems
Tune the IBM virtual machine for Java

Reference:

DB2 tuning parameters
Performance: Resources for learning

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