WebSphere Health Check

Platform and Server Capacity

A review of the underlying AIX operating system and server infrastructure is carried out to confirm that adequate CPU, memory, and storage resources are available to support current and future workload demands. Recommendations are made where capacity constraints or potential scalability issues are identified.

WebSphere Software Level

The version of WebSphere Application Server and its associated Fix Packs are reviewed to confirm the environment is fully supported and maintained. The installed Java SDK level is also verified to ensure compatibility and to identify any required maintenance or security updates.

Cell, Node and Server Configuration

Each component within the cell (Deployment Manager, Node Agents, and Application Servers) are reviewed for configuration consistency and synchronization status. This includes verification of node synchronization, server startup settings, class loader policies, and custom service configurations. Recommendations are provided to align the configuration with IBM standards and operational best practices.

JVM and Resource Configuration

A review is conducted of JVM heap sizes, garbage collection policy, and key performance-related settings such as thread pools and JDBC connection pools. The configuration is assessed to confirm that it is appropriate for the application workload and that resource usage is well balanced across servers.

Operating System Health (AIX)

System-level checks are performed to assess CPU utilisation, memory usage, disk I/O, and network connectivity. Filesystem capacity, ulimit settings, and other OS-level parameters are reviewed to confirm that the environment provides a stable and performant foundation for WebSphere operations.

Logging and Error Management

SystemOut, SystemErr, and FFDC (First Failure Data Capture) logs are reviewed to identify recurring warnings, errors, or stability issues. Log rotation policies and retention settings are checked to ensure that diagnostic data is managed efficiently while retaining sufficient detail for troubleshooting.

Application Runtime Health

The runtime health of each application server is evaluated, including start-up success, synchronization status, and availability of deployed applications. Performance Monitoring Infrastructure (PMI) metrics are reviewed to confirm acceptable response times, resource utilization, and application responsiveness.

Security and SSL Configuration

Security settings are reviewed, including SSL keystores and truststores, to confirm that all certificates are valid and not due to expire. Authentication and Single Sign-On (SSO) configurations are examined where applicable to ensure secure and reliable user access

Backup and Recovery

Current backup and recovery procedures for WebSphere profiles, configurations, and logs are reviewed. Recommendations are provided to ensure that recovery from system or configuration failure can be achieved quickly and reliably.

Maintenance and Lifecycle Management

The review ensures that regular maintenance practices are in place, including patching schedules, configuration backups, and monitoring of IBM security advisories. Recommendations are made for improving operational governance, including automating recurring health checks and integrating proactive monitoring.

Reporting and Recommendations

At the conclusion of the health check, a summary report is produced outlining current system health, key findings, and prioritised recommendations. Each finding is categorised by severity and impact, with clear actions to improve performance, stability, and maintainability of the WebSphere environment.