Application Server Support FAQ: Websphere, JBoss & Apache

What is Virtual-AppServerAdmin?

Virtual-AppServerAdmin is a remote Application Server Administration service from Xtivia designed to address the application server administration and management needs of its subscribers. Virtual-AppServerAdmin can remotely monitor critical WebSphere, JBoss and Apache application server operational functions and statistics on a daily basis. This ensures system availability, optimum performance and trouble-free operation, while also providing the availability of expert certified application server administrators.

How does Virtual-AppServerAdmin work?

Statistics about your systems are collected at regular intervals throughout the day and sent to Virtual-AppServerAdmin service centers where they are automatically filtered and centrally stored. A heartbeat process monitors the availability of your system and the communications channel to the Virtual-AppServerAdminservice centers. Primary and backup Virtual-AppServerAdmin operations specialists are assigned to manage and monitor your systems and account.

• When the statistics arrive, if monitored indicators are out of tolerance, an alert is generated automatically and Virtual-AppServerAdmin specialists are notified. The Virtual-AppServerAdmin specialist immediately notifies you of any critical issues and will work with you to a resolution. If non-critical issues are discovered, they will be documented and discussed with you during a scheduled status briefing and tracked to resolution.
• Your Virtual-AppServerAdmin specialist reviews past and present operational  and performance data for operational  trend analysis identification. These trends are important to system planning and in troubleshooting performance issues. Any trends will be documented and discussed with you during regular status briefings and available reports.
• The statistical information collected about your system and a complete case tracking history of our application server specialist’s actions are available in the My Application Server area of the website for Virtual-AppServerAdmin subscribers.
• You will have a dedicated Virtual-AppServerAdmin technician available for application server administration services and advice regarding any aspect of application server and application troubleshooting, administration or management. Therefore, when you have a problem or want some coaching, you can speak to someone who is already familiar with the key aspects of your system, installation, application and requirements. These services are available by telephone or on-site consultation. The key feature is that expert help is available when it is needed, whether the need is for 30 minutes or several weeks.

I don’t have Application Server Administrators: Why do I need Virtual-AppServerAdmin?

An often overlooked fact is that most application server installations require continual monitoring and configuration changes in order to maintain an acceptable level of performance and security. These support activities involve a high level of complexity and must be assigned to someone who really understands the technology. In many cases, a full-time application server administrator with a detailed knowledge of the inner workings of the application server may not be a perfect fit, but Virtual-AppServerAdmin allows you to have a skilled administrator on your team when you need one.

I have a full-time Application Server Administrator: Why do I need Virtual-AppServerAdmin?

Are you looking to augment your current administration staff? Do you need more coverage due to increased workload or attrition? Is your current administrator planning a vacation or off-site training? Or do you simply want to free up your administrator  from routine maintenance to work on critical new business issues? Virtual-AppServerAdmin can support your development and administrative staff by taking over the everyday monitoring  and tuning tasks and alerting them when issues are found. Short-term coverage is also available for those times when your administrator needs to be away from your business. We can supply application server administrative support when it’s needed and wanted.

What if I need some help with my application server?

Your assigned Virtual-AppServerAdmin specialist is a phone call away and is available for telephone, remote and on-site consulting, support  and coaching. Your specialist’s familiarity with your installation and setup should save you time in the process. Additionally, our application server and development team can assist you in troubleshooting and optimizing applications on the code level, streamlining the maintenance process.

Is Virtual-AppServerAdmin a tool that tunes the application server?

Not exactly.

Virtual-AppServerAdmin is a service allowing our experienced consultants to gather and analyze essential information about your WebSphere, JBoss and Apache application server environment to troubleshoot problems and dynamically identify performance and operational issues. Expert guidance and consulting in tuning your applications and application server environment is always available from our experienced engineers.

What are the primary ways Virtual-AppServerAdmin will save me money?

Some examples of how Virtual-AppServerAdmin can provide ROI are:

• The cost of application server downtime or of a poorly performing environment isn’t easily measured. Through regular monitoring  of critical application server operational  functions and statistics, Virtual-AppServerAdmin can keep your system properly tuned even as your business or usage changes, ensuring system availability as well as trouble-free and optimum operation.
• It can take a long time to find a qualified candidate to fill an application server administrator position. Virtual-AppServerAdmin has a staff of experienced, certified professionals available when you want and need them.
• The cost of a highly skilled application server administrator  is high–especially if you require extensive experience with a variety of platforms and environment configurations. Virtual-AppServerAdmin shares these highly skilled professionals between a limited number of accounts. You receive highly skilled support when you need it.
• Retaining or training your skilled professionals is expensive. Since Virtual-AppServerAdmin has a staff of experts working for you from our offices, you no longer have to worry about the training or retention cycle of your skilled professionals.