Using the Classloader Analysis Tool (CAT) in weblogic 10.3.4

CAT is a Web-based class analysis tool which simplifies filtering classloader configuration and aids you in analyzing classloading issues, such as detecting conflicts, debugging application classpaths and class conflicts, and proposes solutions to help you resolve them.

CAT is a stand-alone Web application, distributed as a single WAR file,

wls-cat.war

, exposing its features through a Web-based front end. CAT is deployed as an internal on-demand application only in development mode. Deployment happens upon first access. If the server is running in production mode, it is not deployed automatically. You can deploy it in production mode; there are no limitations on its use, but you must deploy it manually, just like any other Web application. The CAT Web application is located at

WL_HOME

/server/lib/wls-cat.war

. You can deploy it to any WebLogic Server version 10.3.x and later.

To begin using CAT:

In the WebLogic Server Administration Console, select Deployments > app_name > Testing and then select the Classloader Analysis Tool link. Enter your Console login credentials.

Or, open your browser to

http://wls-host:port/wls-cat/

and then enter your Console login credentials.

CAT has a simple Web GUI which displays all your currently running applications and modules. In the left-side navigation pane, you select the application or module that you want to analyze; a brief description of it is shown in the right-side pane. You use the right-side pane to perform actions and analyses on the selected application or module. CAT lets you:

Analyze classloading conflicts

View the system and application classloaders

Generate reports

CAT analyzes classes loaded by the system classpath classloader and the WebLogic Server main application classloaders, defined here as the filtering, application, and module classloaders. You can perform analysis at the class, package, or JAR level. The results for each action you select can be shown in either a basic view or a detailed view.

Here are some of the tasks which you can perform using CAT:

Display basic information about applications and modules

Analyze classloading conflicts

Review proposed solutions

Get suggestions for configuring filtering classloaders

Display the classloader hierarchy and the entire classpath for each classloader

Search for a class (or a resource) on a classloader