Java Management Extensions provides the tools for building Web-based, distributed, dynamic and modular solutions for managing and monitoring devices, applications, and service-driven networks. To adapt legacy systems, implementing new management and monitoring solutions, and plugging into those of the future all standard are well suitable.

It was developed by Java Community Process^SM (JCP^SM) as two closely related Java Specification Requests (JSRs):

• JSR 3, Java Management Extensions Instrumentation and Agent Specification
• JSR 160, Java Management Extensions Remote API

The JMX specification defines an JMX architecture, the design patterns, the APIs, and the services for application and network management and monitoring in the Java programming language.

Through JMX technology, a given resource is instrumented by one or more Java objects known as Managed Beans(MBeans). These MBeans are registered in a core managed object server called MBean server, that acts as a management agent and can run on most devices enabled for the Java programming language.

A JMX agent consists of MBean server, which gets registered, and a set of services for handling MBeans. In this way, JMX agents directly control resources and make them available to remote management applications(RMA).

Resources are instrumented in completely independent from the management infrastructure. Resources can therefore be rendered manageable regardless of how their management applications are implemented.

JMX technology defines standard connectors known as JMX connectors that allow to access JMX agents from remote management applications. By using JMX connectors different protocols provide the same management interface. Hence a management application can manage resources transparently, regardless of the communication protocol used. JMX agents can also be used by applications or system that are not compliant with the JMX specification but which support JMX agents.

Java Management extensions technology provides all Java developers across industries with a flexible means to instrument Java code, create smart Java agents, implement distributed management middleware and managers, and smoothly integrate these solutions into existing management and monitoring systems.

• JMX technology enables Java applications to be managed with minimum investment: Java applications can become manageable with little impact on their design because JMX technology agent can run on most Java technology-enabled devices. A Java application simply needs to embed a managed object server and make some of its functionality available for managed beans (MBeans) registered in the object server; that is all it takes to benefit from the management infrastructure.

• JMX technology provides a standard way to manage Java technology-based systems, and networks & applications. For example, the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) 1.4 Application Server conforms to the JMX architecture and consequently can be managed using JMX technology.

• JMX technology can be used for management of the JVM. The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is highly instrumented using JMX technology. You can easily start a JMX agent to access the built-in JVM instrumentation, and thereby monitor and manage the JVM remotely.

• JMX technology provides a dynamic, scalable management architecture. Depending on the requirements Every JMX agent service is an independent module that can be plugged into the management agent. This component-based approach means that JMX solutions can scale from small-footprint devices to large telecommunications switches and beyond. The JMX specification provides a set of core agent services. Additional services can be developed and dynamically loaded, unloaded, or updated in the management infrastructure.

• JMX technology leverages existing standard Java technologies. The JMX specification references existing Java specifications whenever needed. e.g. the Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI).

• JMX technology integrates existing management solutions and emerging technologies. e.g. JMX agents could be managed through an HTML browser. The JMX Application Programming Interfaces are open interfaces that any management system vendor can leverage. JMX solutions can use lookup and discovery services and protocols such as Jini^TM network technology and the Service Location Protocol (SLP).