jmx

Java Management Extensions (JMX) is a Java technology that provides tools for managing and monitoring resources such as applications, devices, and services. It defines a standard API, object model, and protocol for monitoring and controlling resources in the Java platform and beyond.

At the core are MBeans, or management beans, which represent manageable resources. An MBean is registered with an MBeanServer, which acts as a repository and broker. Each MBean is identified by an ObjectName and exposes attributes, operations, and notifications. There are several MBean types: Standard MBeans (defined by a Java interface), Dynamic MBeans (described at run time), Open MBeans, and Model MBeans (configurable at runtime).

Management applications or tools can connect to an MBeanServer either in the same Java VM or remotely through connectors and adapters. Remote management typically uses the JMX Remote API over JRMP or the JMXMP transport. Common tools include JConsole, VisualVM, and other dashboards; third‑party agents and application servers also expose JMX interfaces for monitoring and management.

Usage often includes instrumenting an application to expose metrics, configuration settings, and manageable operations. Clients can read attributes, invoke operations, and subscribe to notifications. The JMX architecture supports extensibility with custom MBeans and via Open MBeans for data interchange.

JMX was introduced as part of the Java platform and has since become a standard mechanism for management in both standalone Java applications and large enterprise environments. Its emphasis on a uniform model and remote accessibility contributed to wide adoption in application servers and monitoring stacks.