Task overview: Using the dynamic cache service to improve performance

Caching the output of servlets, commands, and JavaServer Pages (JSP) improves application performance. WebSphere Application Server consolidates several caching activities including servlets, web services, and WebSphere commands into one service called the dynamic cache. These caching activities work together to improve application performance, and share many configuration parameters that are set in the dynamic cache service of an application server. Use the dynamic cache to improve the performance of servlet and JSP files by serving requests from an in-memory cache. Cache entries contain servlet output, the results of a servlet after it runs, and metadata.

The dynamic cache service works within an application server JVM, intercepting calls to cacheable objects. For example, it intercepts calls through a servlet service method or a command execute method, and either stores the output of the object to the cache or serves the content of the object from the dynamic cache.

Tasks

1. Configure the default cache instance.

2. Configure the type of caching that we are using:
   • Servlet caching.
   • Portlet fragment caching.
   • Edge Side Include caching.
   • Command caching.
   • Web services caching.
   • JAX-RPC web services client cache.

3. Monitor the results of the configuration using the dynamic cache monitor.

What to do next

To use the DistributedMap and DistributedObjectCache interfaces for the dynamic cache, refer to the Using the DistributedMap and DistributedObjectCache interfaces for the dynamic cache topic.

Subtopics

• Disk cache infrastructure enhancements
  
• Use the dynamic cache service
  
• Configure cacheable objects with the cachespec.xml file
  
• Eviction policies using the disk cache garbage collector
  
• Example: Caching web services
  
• Display cache information
  
• Disable template-based invalidations during JSP reloads
  
• Dynamic cache MBean statistics
  
• Example: Configuring the dynamic cache service
  
• Dynamic cache PMI counter definitions
  
• Troubleshoot the dynamic cache service
  
• Configure cache replication
  
• Configure command caching
  
• Configure the JAX-RPC web services client cache
  
• Use the DistributedMap and DistributedObjectCache interfaces for the dynamic cache
  
• Use servlet cache instances
  

Tune the application serving environment

Configure servlet caching

Configure portlet fragment caching

Configure Edge Side Include caching