Java is dynamic flexible and portable. These features make it ideal for building third-generation management solutions, These solutions are dynamic and are designed to meet the requirements of dynamic service driven management over heterogeneous networks and platforms, Sun Microsystems has come up with various management technologies like JDMK, JMX, JIRO. which are all based on Java. By design these management technologies are suitable for adapting legacy systems implementing new management solutions and preparing those of the future, while remaining open to applications across fill platforms. Although appearing similar in many respects. these technologies have unique features, which makes one more appropriate than the other for particular management solutions. In this paper these technologies arc described and compared. The intent is to explore the subtle but intportant differences in them so that the reader can pick the one best suited for a particular purpose.