I need to change a default garbage collector in Payara server(version 2025, jdk 21) docker image. I tried either preboot or postboot commands with configuration below, still not changing.

These are the config in postboot, adding ZGC garbage collector:

create-jvm-options --target=server-config -- "-XX\:+UseZGC" 
create-jvm-options --target=server-config -- "-XX\:+ZGenerational"

Then checking at inside container, the above config commands are included in domain.xml at /opt/payara/appserver/glassfish/domains/domain1/config.

Later I used these codes(from Dimania find which type of garbage collector is running) to check what type of GC is running:

try {
final List<GarbageCollectorMXBean> gcMxBeans = ManagementFactory.getGarbageCollectorMXBeans();

for (GarbageCollectorMXBean gcMxBean : gcMxBeans) {
    logger.debug("Name: {}", () -> gcMxBean.getName());
    logger.debug("Obj: {}", () -> gcMxBean.getObjectName());
}

} catch (RuntimeException re) {
    throw re;
} catch (Exception exp) {
    throw new RuntimeException(exp);
}

The application reported me:

Name: G1 Young Generation
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=G1 Young Generation
Name: G1 Concurrent GC
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=G1 Concurrent GC
Name: G1 Old Generation
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=G1 Old Generation

When I tried on local server (not container) and changed GC type directly(have to restart server) at domain.xml, result shown as follow:

Name: ZGC Minor Cycles
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=ZGC Minor Cycles
Name: ZGC Minor Pauses
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=ZGC Minor Pauses
Name: ZGC Major Cycles
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=ZGC Major Cycles
Name: ZGC Major Pauses
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=ZGC Major Pause

So any other steps I missed or have to add too, please kindly suggest.

I need to change a default garbage collector in Payara server(version 2025, jdk 21) docker image. I tried either preboot or postboot commands with configuration below, still not changing.

These are the config in postboot, adding ZGC garbage collector:

create-jvm-options --target=server-config -- "-XX\:+UseZGC" 
create-jvm-options --target=server-config -- "-XX\:+ZGenerational"

Then checking at inside container, the above config commands are included in domain.xml at /opt/payara/appserver/glassfish/domains/domain1/config.

Later I used these codes(from Dimania find which type of garbage collector is running) to check what type of GC is running:

try {
final List<GarbageCollectorMXBean> gcMxBeans = ManagementFactory.getGarbageCollectorMXBeans();

for (GarbageCollectorMXBean gcMxBean : gcMxBeans) {
    logger.debug("Name: {}", () -> gcMxBean.getName());
    logger.debug("Obj: {}", () -> gcMxBean.getObjectName());
}

} catch (RuntimeException re) {
    throw re;
} catch (Exception exp) {
    throw new RuntimeException(exp);
}

The application reported me:

Name: G1 Young Generation
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=G1 Young Generation
Name: G1 Concurrent GC
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=G1 Concurrent GC
Name: G1 Old Generation
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=G1 Old Generation

When I tried on local server (not container) and changed GC type directly(have to restart server) at domain.xml, result shown as follow:

Name: ZGC Minor Cycles
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=ZGC Minor Cycles
Name: ZGC Minor Pauses
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=ZGC Minor Pauses
Name: ZGC Major Cycles
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=ZGC Major Cycles
Name: ZGC Major Pauses
Obj: java.lang:type=GarbageCollector,name=ZGC Major Pause

So any other steps I missed or have to add too, please kindly suggest.

• docker
• garbage-collection
• podman
• payara

Share Improve this question Follow edited Mar 24 at 0:07 PeterL355 asked Mar 23 at 23:59 PeterL355PeterL355 8711 silver badge99 bronze badges

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1 Answer 1

Sorted by: Reset to default 0

Now I found the solution:

1. have to use script - init_0_change_gc_webprofile.sh

2. inside this script:

   1. use sed -i -z to find and replace. For example:

      sed -i -z 's|<jvm-options>-client</jvm-options>|<jvm-options>-server</jvm-options>\n<jvm-options>-XX:+UseShenandoahGC</jvm-options>'| ${PAYARA_DIR}/glassfish/domains/domain1/config/domain.xml

3. use COPY in DockerFile. E.g.

   COPY init_0_change_gc_webprofile.sh ${SCRIPT_DIR}/

4. build new image

5. run your java app

   Note: you also can add other java-option such as Xmx, Xms, or fine tuning GC.