Debug Your Infrastructure

Get Instant Solutions for Kubernetes, Databases, Docker and more

AWS CloudWatch
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Pod Stuck in CrashLoopBackOff
Database connection timeout
Docker Container won't Start
Kubernetes ingress not working
Redis connection refused
CI/CD pipeline failing

OpenSearch Node JVM Heap Pressure High

The JVM heap pressure on a node is consistently high, indicating potential memory issues.

Understanding OpenSearch and Its Purpose

OpenSearch is a powerful open-source search and analytics suite derived from Elasticsearch. It is designed to provide a robust, scalable, and flexible solution for search and analytics use cases. OpenSearch is commonly used for log analytics, full-text search, and real-time application monitoring. It offers a rich set of features including distributed search, multi-tenancy, and advanced security capabilities.

Symptom: Node JVM Heap Pressure High

When using OpenSearch, you might encounter a Prometheus alert indicating Node JVM Heap Pressure High. This alert signifies that the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) heap memory usage on one or more nodes is consistently high, which can lead to performance degradation or even node crashes if not addressed promptly.

Details About the Alert

The JVM heap is a critical component of OpenSearch's memory management. It is where all Java objects are stored during runtime. High JVM heap pressure means that the heap is nearing its maximum capacity, which can cause frequent garbage collection cycles, increased latency, and reduced throughput. This condition often arises from inefficient queries, insufficient heap size, or excessive data ingestion.

Why High JVM Heap Pressure Occurs

There are several reasons why JVM heap pressure might become high:

  • Suboptimal query performance due to complex or inefficient queries.
  • Insufficient heap size allocation for the workload.
  • Excessive data ingestion rates or large datasets.
  • Memory leaks within the application or plugins.

Steps to Fix the Alert

Addressing high JVM heap pressure involves a combination of configuration adjustments and optimization techniques. Below are actionable steps to resolve this issue:

1. Increase JVM Heap Size

Consider increasing the JVM heap size to accommodate the workload. This can be done by modifying the jvm.options file in the OpenSearch configuration directory:

-Xms4g
-Xmx4g

Ensure that the heap size is set to half of the available system memory, but not exceeding 32GB, as larger heaps can lead to inefficient garbage collection.

2. Optimize Queries

Review and optimize your queries to reduce their memory footprint. Use tools like OpenSearch Query DSL to refine your search queries. Avoid wildcard queries and prefer filters over queries where possible.

3. Reduce Data Size

Consider reducing the data size by:

  • Implementing data retention policies to delete old or irrelevant data.
  • Using index lifecycle management to automate index deletion.
  • Compressing stored data to save space.

4. Monitor and Adjust

Continuously monitor JVM heap usage using tools like Prometheus and Grafana. Adjust heap size and query strategies based on the observed performance metrics.

Conclusion

By understanding the causes of high JVM heap pressure and implementing these solutions, you can ensure that your OpenSearch cluster remains stable and performs optimally. Regular monitoring and proactive management are key to preventing memory-related issues in the future.

Master 

OpenSearch Node JVM Heap Pressure High

 debugging in Minutes

— Grab the Ultimate Cheatsheet

(Perfect for DevOps & SREs)

Most-used commands
Real-world configs/examples
Handy troubleshooting shortcuts
Your email is safe with us. No spam, ever.

Thankyou for your submission

We have sent the cheatsheet on your email!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

OpenSearch Node JVM Heap Pressure High

Cheatsheet

(Perfect for DevOps & SREs)

Most-used commands
Your email is safe thing.

Thankyou for your submission

We have sent the cheatsheet on your email!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

MORE ISSUES

Deep Sea Tech Inc. — Made with ❤️ in Bangalore & San Francisco 🏢

Doctor Droid