System configurations - Best practices
Before getting deep into CMDB specific settings, first the AR Server needs to have some core and critical configurations.
AR System Server Sizing
Similar to other configurations, the AR System Server sizing configurations are specific to the sizing of environments. BMC frames models around small, medium, and large sizes that can be defined by using the following table:
Environment | BMC Helix ITSM | BMC Helix ITSM: Smart Reporting | Number of Regular CIs/Managed CIs |
|---|---|---|---|
Small | 800 | 50 | <= 100,000/25,000 |
Medium | 2,000 | 100 | <= 250,000/50,000 |
Large | 5,000 | 250 | <= 500,000/100,000 |
- Regular CIs are CIs under the classes such as Computer System and Person but not under classes such as IP Endpoint or Software.
Please consult the BMC Helix CMDB Common Data Model for more information. To access the BMC Helix Common Data Model, see PDFs-and-videos. - Managed CIs are CIs that have some form of automation attached to them.
An example might include daily scans and updates from BMC Discovery or active monitoring from BMC Helix Operation Management (TrueSight Operation Management). Please use your best judgment when considering Managed CIs because the more automation that is added, the more resources it will require. - The number of CIs defined in the preceding table assumes active data management, including but not limited to Archiving, duplicate data management, deletion of removed CIs, and other processes to ensure data integrity.
If these activities are not performed regularly, it will cause additional issues in both performance and functionality.
Understanding the platform server's role
There are 3 types of AR System platform servers: User, Backend, and FTS Indexers as shown in the following table:
Server | Description |
|---|---|
User | User platform servers can be defined as servers that your Mid Tier, Smart IT, Digital Workplace, and other user facing clients connect to. These servers are specifically meant to service users and usually don't need extensive hardware, because automated processes, that can innovate a system, shouldn't connect to these servers. This is what allows these servers to focus on the users and provide the best experience to them. |
Backend | Backend servers are meant to handle all of the backend request that might be needed for a functioning system. This can include automated data imports, data processing, scheduled jobs or activities, and external processes. These servers should handle everything that isn't a direct user request, and often times requires additional hardware to respond to these automated systems quickly. End users should never connect to these servers and System Administrators should only connect to these systems to perform Administration operations. |
FTS Indexers |
Server hardware considerations
If you are an on-premises customer, you'll also have to worry about hardware considerations. In Helix SaaS environments, hardware is dynamically applied and monitored to ensure that it meets the needs of the environment. If your environment deviates from these outlines, then it could cause a other deviations in other areas.
AR Server Hardware Recommendations
Component | User Facing | FTS Indexers |
Server Count | 2 | 2 |
CPU Cores | 2 | 4 |
Memory | 12GB | 24GB |
Storage | 120GB | 500GB |
In this configuration, the FTS Indexers will act as Backend servers.
Database Server Hardware
Component | Database Server |
|---|---|
CPU Cores | 8 |
Memory | 16GB |
Storage | 200GB |
Additional Database Configurations are needed, please see the Remedy Configuration Checklist for more information.
AR Server Java Configurations
Location of config file: /<ARSystem_Install_Dir>/bin/arserverd.conf
Component | User Facing | FTS Indexers |
|---|---|---|
jvm.minimum.heap.size | 6442450944 | 10737418240 |
jvm.maximum.heap.size | 6442450944 | 10737418240 |
Java Plugin Server Configurations
Location of config file: /etc/<servername>/armonitor.conf | /<ARSystem_Install_Dir>/conf/<servername>/armonitor.conf
Component | User Facing | Backend Facing | FTS Indexers |
|---|---|---|---|
-alias javapluginserver | -Xmx4G | ||
-alias carteserver | -Xmx1G | ||
Normalization Java Plugin Server Configurations
Location of config file: /<CMDB_Install_Dir>/cmdb/server/bin/normeng.sh
Component | User Facing | Backend Facing | FTS Indexers |
|---|---|---|---|
-Xmx512m | |||
Shared CMDB Java Plugin Server Configurations
Location of config file: /<CMDB_Install_Dir>/cmdb/server/bin/atriumplugin.sh
Component | User Facing | Backend Facing | FTS Indexers |
|---|---|---|---|
-Xmx512m | |||
AR Server Hardware Recommendations
Component | User Facing | FTS Indexers |
Server Count | 2 | 2 |
CPU Cores | 4 | 4 |
Memory | 16GB | 32GB |
Storage | 120GB | 500GB |
- In this configuration the FTS Indexers will act as Backend servers.
Database Server Hardware
Component | Database Server |
CPU Cores | 16 |
Memory | 32GB |
Storage | 200GB |
- Additional Database Configurations are needed, please see the Remedy Configuration Checklist for more information.
AR Server Java Configurations
Location of config file: /<ARSystem_Install_Dir>/bin/arserverd.conf
Component | User Facing | FTS Indexers |
jvm.minimum.heap.size | 8589934592 | 15032385536 |
jvm.maximum.heap.size | 8589934592 | 15032385536 |
Java Plugin Server Configurations
Location of config file: /etc/<servername>/armonitor.conf | /<ARSystem_Install_Dir>/conf/<servername>/armonitor.conf
Component | User Facing | Backend Facing | FTS Indexers |
-alias javapluginserver | -Xmx6G | ||
-alias carteserver | -Xmx2G |
Normalization Java Plugin Server Configurations
Location of config file: /<CMDB_Install_Dir>/cmdb/server/bin/normeng.sh
Component | User Facing | Backend Facing | FTS Indexers |
-Xmx1G |
Shared CMDB Java Plugin Server Configurations
Location of config file: /<CMDB_Install_Dir>/cmdb/server/bin/atriumplugin.sh
Component | User Facing | Backend Facing | FTS Indexers |
-Xmx1G |
AR Server Hardware Recommendations
Component | User Facing | Backend Facing | FTS Indexers |
Server Count | 3 | 2 | 2 |
CPU Cores | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Memory | 32GB | 32GB | 64GB |
Storage | 120GB | 120GB | 500GB |
Database Server Hardware
Component | Database Server |
CPU Cores | 32 |
Memory | 64GB |
Storage | 200GB |
- Additional Database Configurations are needed, please see the Remedy Configuration Checklist for more information.
AR Server Java Configurations
Location of config file: /<ARSystem_Install_Dir>/bin/arserverd.conf
Component | User Facing | Backend Facing | FTS Indexers | |
jvm.minimum.heap.size | 21474836480 | 34359738368 | ||
jvm.maximum.heap.size | 21474836480 | 34359738368 |
Java Plugin Server Configurations
Location of config file: /etc/<servername>/armonitor.conf | /<ARSystem_Install_Dir>/conf/<servername>/armonitor.conf
Component | User Facing | Backend Facing | FTS Indexers |
-alias javapluginserver | -Xmx8G | ||
-alias carteserver | -Xmx4G |
Normalization Java Plugin Server Configurations
Location of config file: /<CMDB_Install_Dir>/cmdb/server/bin/normeng.sh
Component | User Facing | Backend Facing | FTS Indexers |
-Xmx2G |
Shared CMDB Java Plugin Server Configurations
Location of config file: /<CMDB_Install_Dir>/cmdb/server/bin/atriumplugin.sh
Component | User Facing | Backend Facing | FTS Indexers |
-Xmx2G |
AR System configurations
The following are CCS Configurations for AR System and the CMDB. In some scenarios you might find that your organization has specific needs that cause you to deviate from the recommended settings, in this scenario please document generously each deviation. If you're in a Helix SaaS environment do not make these changes on your own. Instead, open a support ticket and have BMC engage with you on any changes that might be needed.
<See if we can add tool tip>
Component Type | Component Name | Setting Name | Small Value | Medium Value | Large Value |
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390601 2 2 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <FTS AR Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390602 3 3 | 390602 5 5 | 390602 7 7 |
com.bmc.arsys.server | <FTS AR Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390603 16 16 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <USER Platform Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390603 3 3 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390620 6 6 | 390620 12 12 | 390620 24 24 |
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390621 2 2 | 390621 4 4 | 390621 8 8 |
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390626 5 5 | 390626 7 7 | 390626 9 9 |
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390635 10 10 | 390635 20 20 | 390635 40 40 |
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390680 2 2 | 390680 4 4 | 390680 8 8 |
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390682 2 2 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390698 2 2 | 390698 4 4 | 390698 8 8 |
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Private-RPC-Socket | 390699 2 2 | 390699 4 4 | 390699 8 8 |
com.bmc.arsys.other | <All AR Servers> | RE-RPC-Socket | 390698 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.other | <All AR Servers> | AE-RPC-Socket | 390630 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-Inline-Normalization | T | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Admin-Only-Mode | F | ||
com.bmc.arsys.assignment | <All AR Servers> | AE-Poll-Interval | 2 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | AR-Max-Attach-Size | 10485760 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Authentication-Chaining-Mode | 1 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Cache-Display-Properties | F | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Default-Web-Path | |||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Notification-Web-Path | |||
com.bmc.arsys.server.shared | * | Notification-Web-Path | |||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Filter-Api-Timeout | 120 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Filter-Max-Stack | 100 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <FTS Platform Servers> | Filter-Max-Total | 9999999 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <USER Platform Servers> | Filter-Max-Total | 500000 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | Max-Entries-Per-Query | 2000 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | * | Enable-Unlimited-Log-Line-Length | T | ||
com.bmc.arsys.server | <All AR Servers> | License-Usage-Recording | 2 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.other | <All AR Servers> | Plugin-ARDBC-Threads | 4 4 | 8 8 | 12 12 |
com.bmc.arsys.other | <All AR Servers> | Plugin-AREA-Threads | 4 4 | 8 8 | 12 12 |
com.bmc.arsys.other | <All AR Servers> | Plugin-Filter-API-Threads | 4 4 | 8 8 | 12 12 |
<All AR Servers> | Next-ID-Block-Size | 100 | |||
<All AR Servers> | Server-Side-Table-Chunk-Size | 1000 | |||
<All AR Servers> | Allow-Unqual-Queries | F | |||
<All AR Servers> | Cache-Mode | 0 | |||
<All AR Servers> | Submitter-Mode | 1 | |||
<All AR Servers> | Server-Plugin-Default-Timeout | 120 | |||
<All AR Servers> | External-Authentication-Return-Data-Capabilities | 31 | |||
<All AR Servers> | VersionControl-Object-Modification-Log-Mode | 10 | |||
<All AR Servers> | VersionControl-Object-Modification-Log-Save-Definition-Files | 0 | |||
arsystem.bmc.arsys.midtier | <User Mid-Tier> | arsystem.security_iframe_allowfromurls | https://<SmartIT_URL> https://<DWP_URL> https://<AR_Rest_URL> | ||
system.bmc.arsys.midtier | <User Mid-Tier> | arsystem.arservers.onbmc-s.cache_update_interval | 3600 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-Cache-Refresh-Interval | 86400 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-Cache-Refresh-Initial-Delay | 900000 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-ChunkedItem-Cleanup-Interval | 300000 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-ChunkedItem-Cleanup-Initial-Delay | 900000 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-ChunkedItem-Allowed-Period-In-Cache | 3600000 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-Max-Results-Per-Query | 0 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-Graph-Walk-Chunk | 100 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-GQRecursion-Limit | 0 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-Impact-Weight-Default | 0 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-Hard-Delete-Only-If-Marked-For-Delete | F | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-Validate-Federation-Source | T | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-Log-Per-Thread | 0 | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-Allow-Global-BSSO-Delete | F | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | CMDB-Inline-Normalization | T | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server | <All AR Servers> | Event-Channel-Enabled | F | ||
com.bmc.cmdb.server.shared | * | CDM-Flattening-Disable-Parallel-Processing | True | ||
com.bmc.arsys.other | <All AR Servers> | RE-Defn-Check-Interval | 300 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.other | <All AR Servers> | RE-Polling-Interval | 18000 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.other | <All AR Servers> | RE-Cont-Job-Interval | 1800 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.other | <All AR Servers> | RE-Parallel-Job-Run | No | ||
com.bmc.arsys.other | <All AR Servers> | RE-Job-Idle-Time | 0 |
Plugin server configuration
The following are CCS Configurations for the different plugins that CMDB utilizes. In some scenarios you might find that your organization has specific needs that causes you to deviate from the recommended settings, in this scenario please document generously each deviation. If you're in a Helix SaaS environment do not make these changes on your own, instead open a support ticket and have BMC engage with you on any changes needed.
Component Type | Component Name | Setting Name | Small Value | Medium Value | Large Value | |
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9999 | numCoreThreads | 30 | 301 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9999 | maxThreads | 30 | 301 | ||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | numCoreThreads | 4 | 8 | 16 | |
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | maxThreads | 5 | 10 | 20 | |
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9555 | numCoreThreads | 4 | 8 | 16 | |
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9555 | maxThreads | 5 | 10 | 20 | |
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9999 | ARSYS.ARDBC.PENTAHO.userDefined.pdiDirPath | /opt/bmc/ARSystem/diserver/data-integration | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9999 | CMDB.ARDBC.PENTAHO.userDefined.pdiDirPath | /opt/bmc/ARSystem/diserver/data-integration | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9999 | ARSYS.ARDBC.PENTAHO.userDefined.kettleHome | /opt/bmc/ARSystem/diserver | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9999 | CMDB.ARDBC.PENTAHO.userDefined.kettleHome | /opt/bmc/ARSystem/diserver | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.ATRIUM.AIS.userDefined.time_for_sim_cache_removal | 60 | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.DEPRECATION.PLUGIN.userDefined.ar_rpc_queue | 390621 | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.DEPRECATION.PLUGIN.userDefined.cmdb_rpc_queue | 390699 | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9999 | REMEDY.ARDBC.APPQUERY.userDefined.Private-RPC-Socket | 390622 | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.DEPRECATION.PLUGIN.userDefined.definition_check_interval | 900 | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.DEPRECATION.PLUGIN.userDefined.entryIdPipeMode | true | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | DSM.FILTER.userDefined.DSM_Reverse_Relationship_Direction | false | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.ATRIUM.API.userDefined.golden_dataset | BMC.ASSET | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.ATRIUM.API.userDefined.reconcile_dataset_target | BMC.ASSET | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.ATRIUM.API.userDefined.reconcile_dataset_source | BMC.SAMPLE | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.ATRIUM.API.userDefined.perform_reconcile | false | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.ATRIUM.API.userDefined.reconcile_jobname | BMC Sample - Identification and Merge | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.ATRIUM.API.userDefined.reconcile_wait_in_secs | 20 | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.ARDBC.ATRIUM.API.userDefined.reconcile_wait_interval | 1 | |||
com.bmc.arsys.pluginServer | PluginServer_<ARServer_Name>_9556 | BMC.FILTERAPI.NOE.userDefined.QRD-Enabled | T |
1In a large or complex environment, it might be required to separate plugin servers such as external authentication, ARDBC LDAP, and others that especially rely on external connections, to avoid performance issues.
CMDB Configurations
The following are Data Configurations for core CMDB components that are saved on individual forms. In some scenarios you might find that your organization has specific needs that causes you to deviate from the recommended settings, in this scenario please document generously each deviation. If you're in a Helix SaaS environment do not make these changes on your own, instead open a support ticket and have BMC engage with you on any changes needed.
Form | Advance Search Query | Small Value | Medium Value | Large Value |
BMC.CORE.CONFIG:BMC_CMDBComponent | 'PropertyName' = "com_bmc_ne_system_ContinuousMaxThreads" | 2 | 4 | 8 |
BMC.CORE.CONFIG:BMC_CMDBComponent | 'PropertyName' = "com_bmc_ne_system_BatchMaxThreads" | 4 | 8 | 16 |
BMC.CORE.CONFIG:BMC_CMDBComponent | 'PropertyName' = "com_bmc_ne_system_BatchMaxInstancePerThread" | 25 | 50 | 100 |
BMC.CORE.CONFIG:BMC_CMDBComponent | 'PropertyName' = "com_bmc_ne_system_ContinuousHistoryInterval" | 604800 | ||
BMC.CORE.CONFIG:BMC_CMDBComponent | 'PropertyName' = "com_bmc_ne_system_ContinuousTimeThreshold" | 30 | ||
BMC.CORE.CONFIG:BMC_CMDBComponent | 'PropertyName' = "com_bmc_ne_system_ContinuousEventsThreshold" | 5 | ||
BMC.CORE.CONFIG:BMC_CMDBComponent | 'PropertyName' = "com_bmc_ne_system_DefnCheckInterval" | 1800 | ||
BMC.CORE.CONFIG:BMC_CMDBComponent | 'PropertyName' = "com_bmc_ne_system_DataCheckInterval" | 120 |
AR System Server Group Operation Rankings
Administration | Archive | CMDB | Escalation | Atrium Integration Engine | Atrium Integrator | Reconciliation Engine | Service Failover | Approval Server | Assignment Engine | Business Rules Engine | Cognitive Training Service | DSO | E-Mail Engine | Flashboards | Full Text Index | SLM Collector | Smart Reporting User Sync | |
FTS Indexer 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
FTS Indexer 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Backend Server 1 | <NULL> | <NULL> | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | <NULL> | <NULL> | 3 |
Backend Server 2 | <NULL> | <NULL> | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | <NULL> | <NULL> | 4 |
User Server | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> | <NULL> |
AR System Server Failover Rankings
Normalization Engine
Service | Server | Rank |
com.bmc.arsys.emaildaemon://incoming/<Mailbox> | FTS Indexer 1 | 2 |
com.bmc.arsys.emaildaemon://incoming/<Mailbox> | FTS Indexer 2 | 1 |
com.bmc.arsys.emaildaemon://outgoing/<Mailbox> | FTS Indexer 1 | 2 |
com.bmc.arsys.emaildaemon://outgoing/<Mailbox> | FTS Indexer 2 | 1 |
Normalization Engine | FTS Indexer 1 | 1 |
Normalization Engine | FTS Indexer 2 | 2 |
Normalization Engine | Backend Server 1 | 3 |
Normalization Engine | Backend Server 2 | 4 |
Normalization Engine | User 1 | 5 |
Normalization Engine | User 2 | 6 |