I have used four different APM solutions, all of which use a javaagent to monitor java applications. I see that SAM uses templates to make calls to JMX to get metrics. Does SolarWinds have a javaagent option as well?
From what I can find SolarWinds APM (AppOptics) does this. It has some integration into the SolarWinds SAM/Core, but it is a different product.
Throughout my 15+ years of java experience, I have used the following methods of monitoring the JVM:
1) Log-based
Scrapping the GC logs for GC information and displaying the data in a logging tool, such as Splunk.
Probably not the most effecient use of Splunk but it worked for a stand alone app at an Ivy League university.
2) Agent-based
This would be your full scale APM products, such as AppDynamics or Dynatrace.
My main experience was with AppD for a Fortune500.
AppD is the industry leader and is a great Enterprise Tool and a nice interface but it comes at a larger cost (which can be offset depending on how many monitoring tools are being replaced by the APM tool).
3) JMX-based
Solarwinds comes OOTB with simple JMX monitoring that provides all the data that comes from the Agent-based products without the large cost of a full APM.
You can think of the JMX-based solution as a "Built-In" javaagent since it is part of the JVM that just requires to be turned on and secured.
This solution provides data that is stored in the Solarwinds Database which can be Reported & Alerted upon just like any other attribute stored in the database.
Configure and integrate JMX monitoring in SAM - SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. Help and Support
Thanks for the reply @mburgeso. I've worked with CA APM and AppDynamics at a few companies over the years, and loved AppDynamics. I was wondering if there was something equivalent to them within SolarWinds. AppOptics seems to be the answer even if it is SaaS solution and not part of SAM.
