NetBackup - Web Management Console - "java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space" exception

Problem

The NetBackup Web Management Console service throws a Java exception when it runs out of the allocated Java heap space. This article provides the steps for increasing the heap memory for the NetBackup Web Management Console service.

Cause

Initially the NetBackup Web Management Console service is allocated a certain amount of Java heap space. If it runs out of this allocated heap space, "java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space" exception is thrown. The NetBackup Web Management Console service cannot allocate an object in the Java heap in such scenarios.

Solution

To fix the issue, Increase the amount of heap memory that the NetBackup Web Management Console service is allowed to use. The parameter which needs to be updated are Xms (the minimum size of the heap) and Xmx (the maximum size of the heap). The amount of memory to allocate will depend on your NetBackup server configuration and the number of jobs running on the system. One of the ways to determine the values for Xms and Xmx could be to update the values in small increments, until you no longer see the error OutOfMemoryError.

On Windows NetBackup master server machines:

1. Open the file <install_path>\wmc\bin\nbwmcservice.xml using a text editor.
2. Update -Xms and -Xmx values. Example: if initial value are -Xms1536m and -Xmx1536m and you want to increase the heap space by 512 MB, then change the values to -Xms2048m and -Xmx2048m respectively.
3. Restart the NetBackup Web Management Console service.

On UNIX NetBackup master server machines:

1. Open the file <install_path>/bin/nbwmc using a text editor.
2. Update -Xms and -Xmx values. Example: if initial value are -Xms1536m and -Xmx1536m and you want to increase the heap space by 512 MB, then change the values to -Xms2048m and -Xmx2048m respectively.
3. Restart the NetBackup Web Management Console service.