DX Application Performance Management

Basic Information

Broadcom DX Application Performance Management (DX APM) is an enterprise solution designed for comprehensive monitoring and management of application performance. It provides deep visibility into complex application environments, leveraging AIOps capabilities for anomaly detection and root cause analysis.

• Model: DX Application Performance Management (DX APM). Previously known as DX APM, CA APM, CA NetQoS Performance Center, Wily Introscope, CA Wily APM, CA App Experience Analytics, and CA AXA.
• Version: The latest stable version is DX APM 24.1.
• Release Date: Specific general product release date is not publicly available, but the product has a long history, originating in the earliest years of the APM market.
• Minimum Requirements: Specific minimum hardware requirements (RAM, processor, storage) are not publicly detailed and typically depend on the scale and complexity of the deployment. The solution is built for enterprise-level scalability.
• Supported Operating Systems: Supports applications built on Java, .NET, PHP, and Node.js. It also supports modern application architectures including Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, and cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud Platform. The Introscope Workstation supports Windows 64-bit and macOS with Java 11.
• Latest Stable Version: DX APM 24.1.
• End of Support Date:
  • DX Application Performance Management 23.3: December 30, 2025 (technical support).
  • Application Performance Management 10.8 SP1: October 31, 2026 (extended from May 31, 2026).
  • APM agents v20.x, v21.x, v22.x: December 31, 2023.
  • Older versions like APM 9.7/10.0/10.1 had end of technical support on October 15, 2019.
• End of Life Date: Broadcom encourages migration from DX APM 23.3 to DX Operational Observability 24.2, indicating an evolution of the product line rather than a single end-of-life date for the entire DX APM offering.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Information regarding a general auto-update expiration date is not publicly available. Updates are typically tied to specific version releases and their support lifecycles.
• License Type: Broadcom offers both perpetual and subscription licensing for on-premises deployments. DX APM SaaS is available exclusively via subscription licensing. Licensing is based on "Devices," which include JVM instances, .NET/CLR instances, PHP Probe agents, and Infrastructure Devices.
• Deployment Model: Available as an on-premises solution for private cloud installations or as a SaaS offering (public cloud service).

Analysis of Basic Information: Broadcom DX APM is a mature and evolving APM solution with a strong focus on modern application architectures and AIOps integration. Its flexible deployment options cater to various enterprise needs, from on-premises control to SaaS convenience. The product's lifecycle management involves regular updates and a clear migration path to newer observability platforms like DX Operational Observability. Licensing is granular, based on monitored "devices," reflecting its comprehensive monitoring capabilities.

Technical Requirements

DX APM is designed for scalability across diverse enterprise environments, from traditional data centers to modern cloud-native infrastructures. Specific hardware requirements are highly dependent on the scale of deployment and the volume of data being processed.

• RAM: Not explicitly specified; scales with deployment size and monitored data.
• Processor: Not explicitly specified; scales with deployment size and monitored data.
• Storage: Not explicitly specified; scales with data retention policies and volume. The solution utilizes a unified data lake for analytics.
• Display: Not explicitly specified for server components. Introscope Workstation supports standard displays.
• Ports: Tenant data and query communication utilize HTTPS (port 443).
• Operating System: Supports monitoring of applications on various operating systems and platforms, including Java and .NET environments, Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform. The Introscope Workstation is compatible with Windows 64-bit and macOS (with Java 11).

Analysis of Technical Requirements: Broadcom DX APM's technical requirements are dynamic, scaling with the monitored environment's size and complexity. The architecture is microservices-based, leveraging open technologies, which implies a distributed and flexible resource consumption model. While specific hardware figures are not provided, the system is built to handle enterprise-scale performance demands. The broad support for modern and traditional operating environments highlights its versatility.

Support & Compatibility

Broadcom DX APM offers extensive support and compatibility across various technologies and deployment models, ensuring broad applicability for enterprise monitoring needs.

• Latest Version: DX APM 24.1.
• OS Support: Monitors applications on Java, .NET, PHP, Node.js, and supports containerized environments like Docker, Kubernetes, and OpenShift. It integrates with cloud platforms such as AWS and Google Cloud Platform. The Introscope Workstation is supported on Windows 64-bit and macOS with Java 11.
• End of Support Date: End of support dates vary by specific product version. For example, DX APM 23.3 technical support ends December 30, 2025, and APM 10.8 SP1 support extends to October 31, 2026.
• Localization: The DX APM 24.1 TechDocs mention "International Support," indicating localized versions or support for multiple languages.
• Available Drivers: DX APM uses various agents (e.g., for Java, .NET, PHP, Node.js) and a Universal Monitoring Agent (UMA) for Kubernetes to collect data. These agents act as the interface for monitoring different application components and infrastructures.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status: DX APM demonstrates strong compatibility with a wide array of modern and traditional application technologies and deployment environments, including cloud and containerized setups. Broadcom actively manages the product lifecycle with defined end-of-support dates for specific versions, encouraging users to migrate to newer releases or the evolving DX Operational Observability platform. The availability of a Universal Monitoring Agent simplifies deployment in dynamic environments.

Security Status

Broadcom DX APM incorporates security measures to protect monitored data and ensure compliance within enterprise environments.

• Security Features: The solution emphasizes "first-class security capabilities that support sustained compliance and protection." Recent updates, such as APM 10.8 SP1, include improved security compliance, notably the removal of all Log4j libraries for backend servers.
• Known Vulnerabilities: While specific vulnerabilities are not publicly listed, the proactive removal of Log4j libraries in updates demonstrates a commitment to addressing known security risks.
• Blacklist Status: No information regarding a blacklist status is publicly available.
• Certifications: Broadcom offers partner certifications for DX Application Performance Management, validating the expertise of support professionals. Product-specific security certifications are not explicitly detailed in public information.
• Encryption Support: Tenant data and query communication are secured using HTTPS (443).
• Authentication Methods: Specific authentication methods are not publicly detailed, but enterprise-grade solutions typically support various standard authentication protocols.
• General Recommendations: Broadcom's architecture for DX APM, including its microservices design and unified data lake, is built with security in mind, supporting sustained compliance and protection.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating: Broadcom DX APM prioritizes security with built-in features for compliance and protection, including encrypted communication via HTTPS. The vendor actively addresses potential vulnerabilities, as evidenced by the removal of Log4j libraries in recent versions. While detailed product security certifications are not explicitly publicized, the focus on "first-class security capabilities" suggests a robust approach to safeguarding sensitive application performance data.

Performance & Benchmarks

Broadcom DX APM is engineered for high performance and scalability, providing real-time insights with minimal impact on monitored systems.

• Benchmark Scores: Specific, publicly available benchmark scores are not provided.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Users report "low overhead" for monitoring production environments, with some noting "no discernible influence on system performance." Case studies indicate significant improvements, such as "up to 50 percent greater app performance" for The Walt Disney Company. The solution is designed for enterprise-level scalability, handling demanding environments.
• Power Consumption: Information on power consumption is not publicly available.
• Carbon Footprint: Information on carbon footprint is not publicly available.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Broadcom DX APM competes with solutions like Dynatrace, Datadog, New Relic, Splunk AppDynamics, Microsoft Azure Monitor, and Elastic Observability. PeerSpot ranks Broadcom DX APM at #21 in the APM and Observability category with an average rating between 7.4 and 8.0, while some competitors have higher rankings. Strengths in comparison include robust transaction tracing, AIOps capabilities, scalability, and strong customer support. Areas for improvement include simplifying upgrades and integration, and enhancing support responsiveness.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status: DX APM is recognized for its efficient performance monitoring with low overhead, making it suitable for critical production environments. Its scalability allows it to meet the demands of large enterprises. While direct benchmark scores are not readily available, real-world usage and customer testimonials highlight its effectiveness in improving application performance. In a competitive landscape, DX APM stands out for its AIOps integration and comprehensive monitoring, though some users desire improvements in ease of use and support.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for Broadcom DX Application Performance Management highlight its strengths in deep monitoring capabilities and its role in proactive issue resolution, alongside areas for improvement in user experience and support.

• Strengths: Users highly value its robust transaction tracing, real-time insights, and customizable dashboards for effective performance monitoring. The solution excels in providing low overhead monitoring for production environments, enabling quick discovery of performance issues and root cause analysis. Its AIOps capabilities, full-stack end-to-end monitoring, and scalability are frequently cited as significant advantages, offering comprehensive visibility and proactive alerting. Integration with CI/CD tools is also seen as a positive.
• Weaknesses: Common criticisms include the complexity of upgrades and deployment processes, challenges with integration, and the need for improved documentation. Some users report difficulties in accessing responsive technical support and a desire for more automated and self-serve features. There are also calls for enhanced user experience monitoring, especially for cloud-based systems, and a perceived limitation in reporting and dashboarding capabilities, even with third-party integrations like Grafana.
• Recommended Use Cases: DX APM is widely recommended for monitoring critical business applications, including banking and Java applications, across both on-premises and cloud environments. It is particularly effective for tracking application behavior, identifying performance bottlenecks, improving user experience, and providing insights for DevOps teams. Its use in e-commerce applications is noted for its ability to quickly address performance issues that impact revenue.

Summary

Broadcom DX Application Performance Management (DX APM) is a powerful and mature enterprise solution for monitoring and managing application performance. It excels in providing comprehensive, full-stack visibility into complex application ecosystems, from traditional Java and .NET applications to modern microservices, containers (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift), and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP). A key strength is its integrated AIOps capabilities, which enable faster anomaly detection, root cause analysis, and proactive issue resolution, contributing to improved user experiences and operational efficiencies.

The solution offers flexible deployment options, including on-premises and SaaS, catering to diverse organizational needs. Licensing is granular, based on "devices," ensuring that costs align with actual usage. DX APM is designed for enterprise-level scalability, demonstrating low overhead in production environments and the ability to handle demanding workloads.

However, user feedback indicates areas for improvement. Some users find the upgrade and deployment processes complex, and there are calls for more intuitive user experience monitoring, particularly as systems transition to cloud-based solutions. While security features are robust, including HTTPS communication and proactive vulnerability patching (e.g., Log4j removal), detailed security certifications are not widely publicized. Support responsiveness and the need for more automated self-serve features are also noted as areas where the product could enhance its offering.

Overall, DX APM is a strong choice for organizations requiring deep, real-time application performance insights and proactive management, especially those with complex, distributed, or cloud-native environments. Its AIOps integration positions it well for future-proofing IT operations. While the learning curve and some operational complexities exist, its core monitoring capabilities and scalability make it a valuable asset for ensuring application health and user satisfaction.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.