Intermittent Java Virtual Machine memory allocation errors
 Flash (Alert)
Abstract
You experience memory allocation errors while running WebSphere Commerce versions 6.0, 5.6.1, 5.6 or 5.5 with the default Java™ Virtual Machine settings. The symptoms for these errors can vary from intermittent performance problems to the Java Virtual Machine periodically ending and restarting without generating a core dump or error.
Content
The Java Virtual Machine values suggested in this technote where calculated for base Commerce installations. If your site has been highly customized and you are using Java Development Kit 1.3.1 you should calculate these values using Technote 1179701. If you are using Java Development Kit 1.4.1, refer to technote 1176363.
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Due to the intermittent nature of this problem, IBM recommends that all customers running WebSphere Commerce releases 6.0, 5.6.1, 5.6 or 5.5 connecting to a DB2 database from a server running under AIX , Windows , or Linux complete the following steps:




Upgrade the IBM Software Development Kit to the latest service release
Change the Java Virtual Machine arguments to include -Xk2200 -Xp64k, 16k


If garbage collection tracing (verbosegc) has not been enabled then the Java Virtual Machine can crash and restart periodically without any visible symptoms other than slow performance. If verbosegc has been enabled the following errors can be found in the native_stderr.log file:
<AF[2082]: Allocation Failure. need 255768 bytes, 7 ms since last AF>
<AF[2082]: managing allocation failure, action=2 (62667808/536803840)>
<GC(2104): mark stack overflow[1902]>
<GC(2104): GC cycle started Fri Nov 19 21:48:04 2004
<GC(2104): freed 6116120 bytes, 12% free (68783928/536803840), in 4117 ms>
<GC(2104): mark: 1719 ms, sweep: 105 ms, compact: 2293 ms>
<GC(2104): refs: soft 0 (age >= 32), weak 0, final 1, phantom 0>
<GC(2104): moved 2514995 objects, 299673064 bytes, reason=1, used 15808 more bytes>
<AF[2082]: managing allocation failure, action=3 (68783928/536803840)>
<AF[2082]: managing allocation failure, action=4 (68783928/536803840)>
<AF[2082]: managing allocation failure, action=6 (68783928/536803840)>
<AF[2082]: totally out of heap space>
<AF[2082]: completed in 4129 ms>

<AF[2083]: Allocation Failure. need 32784 bytes, 1817 ms since last AF>
<AF[2083]: managing allocation failure, action=2 (28528/536803840)>
<GC(2105): mark stack overflow[1903]>
<GC(2105): GC cycle started Fri Nov 19 21:48:07 2004
<GC(2105): freed 67886448 bytes, 12% free (67914976/536803840), in 1702 ms>
<GC(2105): mark: 1601 ms, sweep: 101 ms, compact: 0 ms>
<GC(2105): refs: soft 0 (age >= 32), weak 0, final 120, phantom 0>
<AF[2083]: completed in 1724 ms>

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Upgrading IBM Software Development Kit service release

IBM Software Development Kit service release can be found at the following URL:
http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&context=SSEQTP&uid=swg24007622

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Change the Java Virtual Machine argument

The Java Virtual Machine argument can be changed from the Administrative Console. To change the Java Virtual Machine argument from the Administrative Console:

1. Select Apserver > Apname > Process definitions > Java Virtual Machine.

2. Update the argument as shown in the following screen capture:

Related information
Info for Java Development Kit 1.3.1 users
Info for Java Development Kit 1.4.1 users
Cross Reference information
Segment Product Component Platform Version Edition
Commerce WebSphere Commerce - Express Implementation / Usage Linux, Windows 5.6, 5.6.1, 6.0
Commerce WebSphere Commerce Business Edition Implementation / Usage AIX, i5/OS, Linux, Solaris, Windows 5.6, 5.6.1
Commerce WebSphere Commerce Enterprise Implementation / Usage AIX, i5/OS, Linux, Solaris, Windows 6.0 All Editions
   

Document Information

Current web document: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21195949