Memory leak detection & analysis

Problem: Memory leaks are causing application slowdowns, crashes, and poor user experience.

Solution using FusionReactor:

1. Detect memory leaks:

   • Open FusionReactor (Cloud UI or On-Premise UI).
   • Monitor heap usage trends over time using the memory metrics graphs (Cloud) or Memory Overview page (On-Premise).
   • Pay attention to garbage collection activity.
   • Look for unusual memory growth patterns that indicate objects are not being garbage collected properly.
   • Identify any consistent increases in heap memory that do not return to baseline.

   Learn more

   Garbage Collection

2. Analyze the root cause:

   • If a potential leak is detected, investigate further using FusionReactor.
   • Analyze thread activity (On-Premise UI) to detect blocked or excessive memory-holding threads.
   • Use Crash Protection to trigger Garbage Collection at key moments and observe the impact.
   • Take heap dumps and analyze them using third-party tools like Eclipse MAT.
   • Inspect the heap dump to identify large or continuously growing objects that are not being released.
   • Combine these analysis techniques to pinpoint the exact source of the leak, such as:
     • Static collections that retain objects indefinitely.
     • Listeners that are not properly unregistered.
     • Caching issues that lead to excessive memory consumption.

3. Resolve the issue:

   • Apply the necessary fixes based on the identified root cause.
   • Optimize object lifecycles by removing unnecessary references and ensuring objects are released when no longer needed.
   • Address code patterns that cause memory retention, such as those mentioned above.
   • Adjust JVM memory settings and garbage collection strategies if necessary to better manage memory usage.
   • Implement code changes to release objects when they are no longer required.

4. Validate the fix:

   • After applying the fixes, re-check the memory metrics graphs in FusionReactor.
   • Confirm that heap usage has improved and returned to expected levels.
   • Monitor garbage collection behavior to ensure memory pressure has been reduced.
   • Set up Crash Protection alerts for abnormal memory consumption trends to prevent future memory leaks.

5. Maintain continuous monitoring:

   • Continuously monitor memory usage and garbage collection activity with FusionReactor.
   • Proactively address any potential memory leaks to ensure application stability and efficiency.