Support Advisory: Applications with Custom Exclude Rules Block Agent Registrations

Summary

For SaaS Controller version 23.11.0, agents fail to register and report metrics for applications using custom Business Transaction exclusion rules (other than Java -> Servlet rules).

This advisory will be updated as and when necessary.

Affected Software

This issue affects all APM agent types (Java, .Net, PHP, Node.js, Python, Web Server, IIB).

For example, the .NET and Java Agents with the following exclude rules:

.NET Agents - with Transaction Detection Exclude rules -> WCF, Web Service
Java Agents with Transaction Detection Exclude rules -> Struts

Recommendation

We recommend that you refrain from adding any new exclusion rules, apart from the Java -> Servlet type.

Impact

Excluded Business Transactions are included in the All Other Traffic (AOT) bucket. New Business Transactions also get included in the AOT bucket.

Workaround

To resolve the issue, you will need to disable the exclude rules in order to get the data flowing into the Controller.

Follow these steps to unblock agents from reporting metrics:

Only proceed if your APM agents stopped reporting metrics post Controller upgrade.

Go to Application Name > Instrumentation > Transaction Detection > More.
From the More tab, enable Business Transaction lockdown. This moves all your new Business Transactions (excluded) into the All Other traffic bucket, and existing business transactions are not impacted.
Go to Application Name > Instrumentation > Transaction Detection > Rules. Then select Filter > Rule Type > Custom Exclude > Agent / Entry Point Type: Select All (except Java > Servlet). Then click Edit Individual Rules > Uncheck "Enabled" (Meaning Disabled) > Save.
Example
```
Type: .Net 
Rule Type- Custom Exclude
Agent / Entry Point Type: WebService , WCF

Type: Java
Rule Type- Custom Exclude  
Agent / Entry Point Type: "Struts Action"
```
CODE
- Disable all these rules.
- Wait for 5 mins for the agents to report.
Continue to monitor a Business Transaction from the AOT bucket.
To register first-class Business Transactions, navigate to the AOT bucket > View Details > Select Register.

Resolution

We are currently developing a fix which will be implemented soon. Once the controller is upgraded, you need to revoke the workaround. Meanwhile, for any issues or queries, please create a support ticket or reach out to AppDynamics support at help@appdynamics.com.