Master JVM Performance: Visual Tools, JConsole, VisualVM & Arthas Guide

01. Background Introduction

Through GC log analysis and related tuning commands, developers can quickly query online service performance and troubleshoot issues. However, memorizing these commands is difficult unless used frequently. Most developers prefer a visual interface to display performance metrics and import dump files for analysis.

02. JDK Built‑in Tools

2.1 jconsole

2.1.1 Startup

Run

jconsole

from the command line, or double‑click

jconsole.exe

on Windows. The UI allows selecting a local JVM or connecting to a remote JVM via JMX.

For remote Tomcat monitoring, add the following JVM options:

-Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.port=6969
-Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.ssl=false
-Dcom.sun.management.jmxremote.authenticate=false

2.1.2 Memory Panel

The memory panel shows heap and non‑heap usage, allows triggering GC, and visualizes memory changes.

2.1.3 Thread Panel

The thread panel displays active and peak thread counts, thread details, and dead‑lock detection.

2.1.4 Class Panel

The class panel shows the number of loaded classes.

2.1.5 VM Summary Panel

The VM summary panel provides an overview of JVM information, including basic info, threads, heap, OS, and VM parameters.

2.1.6 MBean Panel

The MBean panel displays managed bean attributes and operations.

2.2 VisualVM

2.2.1 Startup

Run

jvisualvm

from the command line or double‑click

jvisualvm.exe

. The UI can monitor local or remote JVMs.

2.2.2 Monitor Panel

The monitor panel shows CPU, memory, thread, and class charts, and supports manual GC and heap dump generation.

2.2.3 Thread Panel

The thread panel displays thread activity counts.

2.2.4 Sampler Panel

The sampler panel samples CPU and memory usage over time for analysis.

2.2.5 Plugin Installation

VisualVM supports installing plugins (e.g., Visual GC) via Tools → Plugins. Add the plugin center URL

https://visualvm.github.io/pluginscenters.html

if needed.

https://visualvm.github.io/pluginscenters.html

03. Third‑Party Tools

MAT – powerful Java heap analyzer for memory leak detection.

GCeasy – online GC log analyzer with real‑time analysis.

GCViewer – free GC log visualizer.

JProfiler – commercial performance profiler.

Arthas – open‑source online diagnostic tool.

3.1 Arthas

3.1.1 Startup

Download the jar and run

java -jar arthas-boot.jar

. After startup, select the target Java process.

3.1.2 Dashboard

Use the

dashboard

command to view thread, memory, and runtime information.

3.1.3 thread Command

Query a specific thread, e.g.,

thread 16

, or list all threads with

thread -all

.

3.1.4 jad Command

Decompile a class to verify source code, e.g.,

jad com.example.boot.Application

.

3.1.5 watch Command

Observe method return values, e.g.,

watch com.example.boot.test.web.TestController queryAll returnObj

.

04. Summary

This article consolidates knowledge about JVM visual analysis tools, covering built‑in utilities (jconsole, VisualVM) and popular third‑party solutions (Arthas), and provides practical usage examples to help developers monitor and troubleshoot Java applications efficiently.