WebSphere administrators are often asked questions like "What is the best configuration for performance and tracking so that WebSphere, and the applications installed within, are tuned to perform, along with an optimal configuration?" The answer to this question is much like the classic response to "How long is a piece of a string?" However, using the tools and options explained in this chapter, you will be able to apply different techniques by using the facilities provided by the administrative console, so you can, over time, tune your system for best performance.
TPV can be used to watch an application during runtime and, along with request metrics, you can see what is happening and measure transaction durations so that you can create baselines that can be used to compare the best settings required for each situation.
Once you have found key areas where there is degradation in a particular component, you can then tune that component by altering WAS settings that influence the underlying...