AWS App Mesh
Managed service mesh that simplifies monitoring and controlling inter-service communication in microservices
Sermant
Proxyless Java Service Mesh Powered by Bytecode Enhancement
Sermant injects governance capabilities into Java microservices via bytecode enhancement, eliminating sidecars and offering a plugin ecosystem for heartbeat, routing, and observability without source code changes.
Overview
Overview
Sermant is a proxyless service mesh that leverages Java bytecode enhancement to embed service‑governance functions directly into applications. By attaching a JavaAgent at runtime, it dynamically instruments code, providing features such as heartbeat, dynamic configuration, and gateway services without requiring a sidecar proxy.
Architecture & Extensibility
The solution consists of a core framework layer that handles heartbeat, data transmission, and configuration, and a plugin layer where developers can implement custom governance logic. Class‑isolation technology prevents conflicts between framework, plugin, and application classes. A backend component receives telemetry and configuration updates, while an external dynamic configuration center (e.g., servicecomb‑kie) supplies runtime instructions. This design enables Java teams to adopt service‑mesh capabilities with minimal operational overhead.
Getting Started
Users download the Sermant release, start the backend, enable desired services in the agent configuration, and launch their Java application with the -javaagent flag. The mesh status is viewable via a local web UI at http://localhost:8900.
Highlights
Proxyless architecture eliminates sidecar overhead
Bytecode enhancement injects governance without source changes
Plugin framework with core and service layers
Class‑isolation prevents classloader conflicts
Pros
- Low latency and resource usage compared to sidecar meshes
- Transparent to existing Java applications
- Extensible via custom plugins
- CNCF sandbox project adds community credibility
Considerations
- Limited to Java ecosystems
- Requires JVM startup with JavaAgent flag
- Relies on an external dynamic configuration center
- Potential complexity with classloader isolation
Managed products teams compare with
When teams consider Sermant, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.
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Fit guide
Great for
- Java microservice teams seeking sidecar‑free mesh
- Organizations wanting CNCF‑aligned cloud‑native solutions
- Developers who prefer plugin‑based governance extensions
- Projects that need runtime configuration updates
Not ideal when
- Polyglot environments with non‑Java services
- Use cases demanding low‑level network proxy features
- Teams unable to modify JVM launch parameters
- Scenarios requiring a built‑in UI for mesh management
How teams use it
Circuit Breaking for Spring Cloud Services
Automatic fault tolerance injected via a plugin without deploying sidecars
Centralized Health Heartbeat for Dubbo Applications
Real‑time service status reported to the backend for monitoring
Dynamic Routing in Spring Cloud Gateway
Routes updated at runtime through configuration center without redeploying services
Observability Data Collection
Metrics and traces gathered by a plugin and sent to external monitoring systems
Tech snapshot
Java98%
Vue1%
Python1%
TypeScript1%
C1%
Shell1%
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to modify my application source code?
No. Sermant uses a JavaAgent to instrument bytecode at runtime, leaving source code untouched.
How does Sermant differ from sidecar‑based meshes?
It embeds governance logic directly into the JVM, removing the need for separate proxy containers.
What components are required to run Sermant?
The JavaAgent, Sermant backend service, and a dynamic configuration center (e.g., servicecomb‑kie).
Is Sermant part of the CNCF?
Yes, it is a CNCF sandbox project.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 1,359
- Watchers
- 1,359
- Forks
- 188
LicenseApache-2.0
Repo age4 years old
Last commit3 months ago
Primary languageJava
Last synced 3 hours ago