Recommended reading list: J2EE and WebSphere Application Server

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Level: Introductory

IBM Software Services for WebSphere, WebSphere Consultants, IBM, Intel, Microsoft,HP

25 Feb 2003
Updated 26 Apr 2006

Learn about using Java™ 2, Enterprise Edition (J2EE™) and IBM® WebSphere® Application Server with this list of essential reading, compiled for customers, consultants, and other technical specialists by IBM Software Services for WebSphere.

Introduction

There is essential information that practitioners should know and understand before diving into J2EE application design and implementation using IBM WebSphere Application Server. This list of recommended reading, compiled from a variety of sources by IBM Software Services for WebSphere, provides links to practical documents that focus on these and other critical, related topics.

Unless otherwise noted, the documents in this list contain information that is generally applicable to all currently-supported versions of WebSphere Application Server, even though the information may be discussed in the context of older versions. When an item pertains only to one or more specific versions of WebSphere Application Server (or other IBM software), the applicable versions are noted after the title.

This peridocally updated reading list is intended for customers, consultants, and other technical specialists interested in using and learning more about WebSphere Application Server. Although we provide some starting points for learning about Web application development using IBM Rational® Application Developer, refer to IBM developerWorks Rational and the Rational Application Developer V6 Programming Guide for more comprehensive reference material on Web development and IBM Rational products.

How the list is organized

The items in this list are organized under these headings:

1. Architecture, design, and key concepts
2. Getting started with simple applications
3. Development in-depth
   1. Web application development
   2. EJB application development
   3. Client development
   4. Database and connection pooling
   5. Model-driven development
4. Integration
   1. Integration with JMS
   2. Integration with Web services
   3. Integration with JMS and Web services
5. Migration
6. Security
7. Testing
8. Performance and monitoring
   1. Caching
   2. Monitoring
   3. Tuning
9. Deployment readiness and practical considerations
   1. System administration
   2. Scalability and WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment
10. On demand computing

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A. Architecture, design, and key concepts

1. WebSphere Application Server V6 product family overview
   Applies to Version 6.x
   As the foundation of the WebSphere software platform, WebSphere Application Server V6.0 is the industry's premier Java-based application platform, integrating enterprise data and transactions for the dynamic e-business world. Each available configuration delivers a rich application deployment environment with services that provide enhanced capabilities for transaction management, security, performance, availability, connectivity, and scalability. This page provides a high level look at each of the WebSphere Application Server products for newcomers.
   http://www.ibm.com/software/webservers/appserv/was/

2. WebSphere Application Server V6 Technical Overview
   Applies to Version 6.x
   WebSphere Application Server V6 is IBM's implementation of the J2EE platform, conforming to the J2EE 1.4 specification. WebSphere Application Server is available in several unique packages designed to meet a wide range of customer requirements. This IBM Redbook focuses on the run time server component of the WebSphere Application Server packaging options for distributed platforms.
   http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/redp3918.html?Open

3. Rational Application Developer V6 Programming Guide
   This programming guide highlights the features and tooling included with IBM Rational Application Developer V6.0. Several chapters provide working examples that demonstrate how to use the tooling to develop applications, and to achieve the benefits of visual and rapid Web development.
   http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246449.html

   Alternative reading:

   1. WebSphere Version 5 Application Development Handbook
      http://www.redbooks.ibm.com//Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg246993.html

   2. EJB 2.0 Development with WebSphere Studio Application Developer
      http://www.redbooks.ibm.com//redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg246819.html?OpenDocument

4. IBM WebSphere Application Server V6 System Management & Configuration Handbook
   Applies to Version 6.x
   This is one in a series of handbooks designed to give you in-depth information on the entire range of WebSphere Application Server products. This volume provides system administrators, developers, and architects with the knowledge needed to configure a WebSphere Application Server V6 run time environment, to package and deploy Web applications, and to perform ongoing management of the WebSphere environment.
   http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246451.html

   Alternative reading for Version 5.1:

   1. http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246195.html">IBM WebSphere Application Server V5.1 System Management and Configuration WebSphere Handbook Series
      http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246195.html

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B. Getting started with simple applications

5. Build dynamic Web sites: Using IBM Rational Application Developer
   This tutorial shows you how to use IBM Rational Application Developer V6.0 to build dynamic Web sites. Walk through a simple example that uses Java servlets and JavaServer Pages to implement a simple messaging center, learn how to use Rational Application Developer to develop a dynamic Web site, and then test and debug your code.
   http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/i-dw-r-dynwebsites-i.html

   Alternative reading:

   1. Building dynamic Web sites with WebSphere Studio V5.1.1
      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/i-dw-wes-dynweb511-i.html

6. Easiest, breeziest EJB components: Using Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software
   This tutorial introduces you to IBM Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software, a comprehensive, highly visually-driven integrated development environment, that takes the process of creating EJB components to its simplest level yet. Learn new ways to visually construct your components and then run easy-to-use wizards to create J2EE applications faster than ever.
   http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/i-dw-r-radejbs-i.html

   Alternative reading:

   1. Easier, breezier EJB components: WebSphere Studio V5.1 simplifies EJB component development
      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/i-dw-wes-ejbtls51-i.html

7. The Ideal WebSphere Development Environment
   This article describes the ideal environment for WebSphere Application Server and closely related WebSphere products, such as WebSphere Portal. The word "environment" is used in the largest sense possible -- it includes virtually every aspect of enterprise application ownership, from development to production. This article explains why each stage is necessary, and ways of reducing costs, when appropriate.
   http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0312_beaton/beaton.html

8. WebSphere Application Server: Best Practices for an Application Development Infrastructure
   Learn the best practices for developing an infrastructure in which to create applications for WebSphere Application Server. With processes and procedures in place that are reasonable, understood, and well-communicated, you'll be able to confidently create WebSphere applications in a reliable, efficient, and consistent manner.
   http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0209_oberlin/oberlin.html

9. Build and Deploy Procedures
   The J2EE application development and deployment lifecycle requires rigorous processes. This book excerpt focuses on three closely related areas: builds, deployment, and server configuration, and identifies three common approaches to the build and deploy process.
   http://websphere.sys-con.com/read/46845.htm

10. The top 10 (more or less) J2EE best practices
    A top 12 list of the most important best practices for J2EE application development.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0405_brown/0405_brown.html

11. Examining the Programming Model Extensions within IBM WebSphere Application Server V6
    Applies to Version 6.x
    In WebSphere Application Server V6, most of the programming model extensions have been included in all editions of WebSphere Application Server, making it easier for developers to provide solutions to problems that are often difficult to solve using existing J2EE technology. This article reviews some of these PMEs and discusses each in terms of the problem it solves.
    http://websphere.sys-con.com/read/48334.htm

12. Identifying classpath conflicts: A best practice
    Classpath conflicts are not uncommon when dealing with open source Java software. This article offers a simple means for identifying when classpath problems occur.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0406_brown/0406_brown.html

13. Leverage existing WebSphere Application Server J2EE resources from WebSphere Application Server Community Edition
    By accessing the IBM WebSphere Application Server JNDI tree, WebSphere Application Server Community Edition (IBM's free, lightweight J2EE application server built on Apache Geronimo technology) can interact with and reuse virtually any of the J2EE resources that are housed there.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0602_peterson/0602_peterson.html

14. How to use the new Eclipse plug-in for Geronimo
    The Eclipse project has been providing a high-quality and extensible integrated development environment to the open source community for several years now. Get a head start in using the new Eclipse plug-in to develop and deploy Web applications to the Apache Geromimo server. IBM Senior Technical Staff Member Tim Francis walks you through the details.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/java/library/os-gerplug/index.html

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C. Development in-depth

C.1. Web application development

15. JavaServer Pages in WebSphere Application Server V6
    Applies to Version 6.x
    This three-part article series describes the internal operations of the batch compiler, and explores the batch compiler configuration parameters that are available in WebSphere Application Server V6. This series also covers performance tuning the JSP Engine, and examines the architecture of the JavaServer Pages engine.

    In this series:

    1. Part 1: Batch compilation of JavaServer Pages
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0401_johnson/johnson.html

    2. Part 2: Performance tuning the JSP engine
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0403_johnson/0403_johnson.html

    3. Part 3: Architecture of the JSP engine
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0412_johnson/0412_johnson.html

16. FacesClient Component Developers Guide
    This comprehensive Developer's Guide, a fully revised version for IBM Rational Application Developer 6.0.1, describes the different FacesClient Components, and shows you how to use them with Rational Application Developer to build Web and portlet applications.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/05/524_face/

17. Developing Java Server Faces Applications in Rational Application Developer
    By enabling JavaServer Faces in Rational Application Developer, you'll be surprised how easy it is to create applications -- with very little actual coding required.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/04/r-3219/

18. Session Management in WebSphere Application Server V5
    This book excerpt provides an overview of the HTTPSession API of the Java servlet specification, then discusses the WebSphere Application Server session management implementation, and the specifics of configuring the various session management options that exist in WebSphere Application Server. Also applies to V6. (PDF)
    http://vig.prenhall.com/samplechapter/0131468626.pdf

19. Improving HttpSession Performance with Smart Serialization
    One of the most persistent problems in developing Web applications in Java is how to best handle session state. This best practice discusses using transient variables to enable WebSphere to selectively serialize objects, thus improving performance.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/bestpractices/httpsession_performance_serialization.html

C.2. EJB application development

20. Understanding WebSphere Application Server EJB access intents
    WebSphere Application Server defines a set of extensions called access intent policies that govern access to entity beans. Understanding how this feature works can be an important factor when tuning the performance of an EJB application. This article also shows how to configure access intent within WebSphere Studio Application Developer Version 5.1.1.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0406_persson/0406_persson.html

21. Eliminate caching in service locator implementations in J2EE 1.3: When bad things happen to good applications
    This article shows how implementations of the Service Locator pattern that include a resource cache can cause code to run incorrectly in J2EE 1.3 and later versions. While the Service Locator pattern itself is still useful, this article will show how caching with this pattern is harmful rather than helpful, why it should be eliminated from service locator implementations, and offer some practical alternatives.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0410_woolf/0410_woolf.html

C.3. Client application development

22. Creating EJB clients using the Eclipse Rich Client Platform and Rational Application Developer V6
    Applies to Rational Application Developer V6
    This article shows how to build a sample EJB client using the Eclipse Rich Client Platform (RCP), which has become increasingly popular due to its extensible nature. Besides focusing on how to use IBM Rational Application Developer to build an RCP application, this article also details how to configure an Eclipse RCP application to act as a J2EE application client.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0501_barcia/0501_barcia.html

23. Eclipse's Rich Client Platform
    Applies to Rational Application Developer V6
    This two-part tutorial series introduces Eclipse and its Rich Client Platform (RCP) and shows you how to assemble an RCP application to create an elegant client-side interface for your own business applications. Part 1 walks you through the steps to implement an RCP application, including creating a project within the Eclipse 3.0 IDE, defining a plug-in manifest, and creating a basic perspective. Using these components, you can create additional supporting Java classes and launch a stand-alone RCP application.

    In this series:

    1. Part 1: Getting started
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/os-dw-os-rcp1-i.html

    2. Part 2: Extending the generic workbench
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/os-dw-os-rcp2-i.html

24. WebSphere Application Server Pluggable Application Client
    Applies to Version 5.x
    This article shows how to use the WebSphere Application Server Pluggable Application Client, which enables you to use a Sun® Java run time environment to interact with application server resources and code artifacts, such as EJB components.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0409_bhogal/0409_bhogal.html

C.4. Database and connection pooling

25. WebSphere connector architecture evolution
    Applies to Version 6.x
    The ability of applications to communicate with resources that are outside of the application server process and to use those resources efficiently has always been an important requirement for application developers. Equally important is the ability for vendors to plug in their own solutions for connecting to and using their resources. These capabilities have evolved over time in WebSphere Application Server, from the JDBC application programming interface to the Common Connector Framework, and later to the J2EE Connector Architecture, the latter providing functions such as application server inbound communications, life cycle management, and work management. This paper discusses the evolution of the WebSphere Application Server implementation of these architectures, their benefits, and their trade-offs, and provides a preview of the WebSphere Channel Framework Architecture.
    http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/sj/432/fontes.html

26. Default behavior of managed connections in WebSphere Application Server: What if one size does not fit all?
    Local transaction containment (LTC) is a default transaction context that acts as a safety net to prevent leaking of JCA managed connections in IBM WebSphere Application Server. This default behavior is beneficial to many applications, but can have unintended consequences for others. This article describes some scenarios where changes to the application design or this default configuration would be beneficial.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0506_johnsen/0506_johnsen.html

27. Database identity propagation in WebSphere Application Server V6
    Learn how to get major security benefits by developing code that lets your J2EE applications transparently send identity information to your database. Get the benefits of J2EE, including CMP beans, and still leverage the power of your database security.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0506_barghouthi/0506_barghouthi.html
    
    

C.5. Model-driven development

28. Design Pattern Toolkit
    The Design Pattern Toolkit is an Eclipse-enabled template engine for generating applications based on customizable, model-driven architecture transformations. This plug-in can speed up the development of common types of applications by the use of transformations that capture best (or current) practices for the design and implementation of those applications. Users apply transformations to models in order to generate multiple Eclipse resources of multiple types that together make up an application. The toolkit has a component for transformation-based resource generation as well as a component that supports transformation development and distribution. The DPTK forms the basis for what will become JET 2.
    http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/dptk

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D. Integration

D.1. Integration with JMS

29. JMS Topologies and Configurations with WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Studio V5
    Applies to Version 5.x
    This comprehensive guide helps you understand configuration options within WebSphere Application Server for Java Message Service (JMS) applications, including using WebSphere Embedded Messaging and WebSphere MQ. It covers setting up your development environment to support JMS scenarios, various development and run time topologies, scripting, and security.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0310_barcia/barcia.html

30. Make WebSphere MQ the JMS provider for applications deployed in WebSphere Application Server
    This article demonstrates how to configure WebSphere Application Server V6 to use WebSphere MQ V5.3 as its JMS provider. It also includes a simple J2EE application to demonstrate and test JMS messaging for both point-to-point and publish/subscribe domains.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0505_woolf/0505_woolf.html

31. Securing connections between WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere MQ
    This article series shows how to configure WebSphere Application Server V6 and WebSphere MQ V6 to encrypt message transmission using SSL.

    In this series:

    1. Part 1: Using the WebSphere MQ JMS provider
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0601_ratnasinghe/0601_ratnasinghe.html

    2. Part 2: Secure the WebSphere MQ link using the service integration bus
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0601_smithson/0601_smithson.html

32. WebSphere Distributed Transaction Support for a Generic JMS Provider
    As a transaction manager, WebSphere Application Server supports the coordination of resource managers like relational Database and JMS providers through their XAResource interface and participates in distributed global transactions using the two-phase commit protocol. This tutorial configures WebSphere Application Server Versions 4 and 5 with SonicMQ Evaluation Edition Version 5, a generic JMS provider. It highlights the generic JMS provider and two-phase commit transaction support available under WebSphere Application Server Version 4 and 5. The same concepts and descriptions are applicable to any XA enabled JMS providers. The sample application code included in this tutorial demonstrates various usages of messaging in this environment. Special emphasis is placed on configuring this environment to support two-phase commit/XA transactions using IBM DB2 UDB and SonicMQ, with WebSphere acting as the transaction coordinator.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/tutorials/0309_chen/chen_reg.html
    
    

33. Deploying message-driven beans and JMS applications into the Service Integration Bus
    Applies to Version 6.x
    Using the service integration bus in WebSphere Application Server V6 as a JMS provider using message-driven beans, this article shows how to use do point-to-point messaging using queues.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0504_barcia/0504_barcia.html

34. Deploying publish and subscribe applications into the Service Integration Bus
    Applies to Version 6.x
    Using the service integration bus in WebSphere Application Server V6 as a JMS provider using message-driven beans, this article shows how to use do publish/subscribe messaging using topics.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0508_barcia/0508_barcia.html

35. Build ESB connectivity with Rational Software Architecture (RSA) WebSphere Platform Messaging Patterns
    Applies to Version 6.x
    This article shows how to use the WebSphere Platform Messaging Patterns, a feature in Rational Software Architect V6, to generate the code and scripts to connect J2EE applications using JMS and the service integration bus in WebSphere Application Server V6.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/ibm/library/i-odoebp11/

36. How WebSphere Application Server handles poison messages
    This article describes how poison JMS messages can be handled by the Embedded JMS Server provided with WebSphere Application Server V5, how the default behavior can be modified, and how the behavior changes if WebSphere MQ is used as the message service provider.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0405_titheridge/0405_titheridge.html

D.2. Integration with Web services

37. WebSphere Version 6 Web Services Handbook Development and Deployment
    Applies to Version 6.x
    This IBM Redbook describes the concepts of Web services from various perspectives. It presents the major building blocks Web services rely on. Here, well-defined standards and new concepts are presented and discussed. Whereas these concepts are described as vendor independent, this book also presents IBM's view and illustrates with suitable demonstration applications how Web services can be implemented using IBM's product portfolio, especially WebSphere Application Server V6 and Rational Application Developer V6.
    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246461.html?Open

38. Using Rational Developer to create a simple Web service and use it in a Web application
    Applies to Rational Web Developer and Rational Application Developer Version 6.x
    This book excerpt uses Rational Developer to create a simple Web service, and a Web application that uses the Web service. It also explains basic Web services terminology and concepts, and shows how to run the Web service and application with WebSphere Application Server.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0506_parkin/0506_parkin.html

39. Create a Simple HTTP Web Services Gateway Service with WebSphere Application Server V6
    Applies to Version 6.x
    This article describes how to create a Web services gateway, configure existing back-end Web services, and then test their invocation over the SOAP/HTTP protocol in IBM WebSphere Application Server V6.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0502_ohanlon/0502_ohanlon.html

D.3. Integration with JMS and Web services

40. Building an Enterprise Service Bus with WebSphere Application Server V6
    Applies to Version 6.x
    This article series describes how to use the new messaging engine in WebSphere Application Server V6 to build an Enterprise Service Bus, a crucial piece of SOA infrastructure.

    In this series:

    1. Part 1: Introduction to WebSphere V6 Messaging Resources
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0501_reinitz/0501_reinitz.html

    2. Part 2: Business requirements and the bus
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0502_reinitz/0502_reinitz.html

    3. Part 3: A simple JMS messaging example
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0504_reinitz/0504_reinitz.html

    4. Part 4: Building a better bus with mediations
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0505_reinitz/0505_reinitz.html

    5. Part 5: A simple example of SIBus Web services support
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0506_reinitz/0506_reinitz.html

    6. Part 6: A simple message exchange between SIBus and WebSphere MQ
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0508_reinitz/0508_reinitz.html

    7. Part 7: Switching between message protocols
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0509_reinitz/0509_reinitz.html

    8. Part 8: Looking back and looking ahead at ESB technology
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0512_reinitz/0512_reinitz.html

41. ESB in Practice
    This article describes how to create a simple instance of an Enterprise Service Bus that performs transformation and routing, using IBM WebSphere Application Server Version 6 Messaging Resources.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0509_flurry1/0509_flurry1.html

42. A practical introduction to message mediation
    Applies to Version 6.x
    This article series describes what message mediation is and how to do it using the service integration bus in WebSphere Application Server V6.

    In this series:

    1. Part 1: The basics of message mediation
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0504_murphy/0504_murphy.html

    2. Part 2: Routing messages with mediations
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0505_murphy/0505_murphy.html

    3. Part 3: Modifying messages with mediations
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0506_murphy/0506_murphy.html

    4. Part 4: Modifying messages with mediations and XSLT
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0510_vines/0510_vines.html

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E. Migration

43. WebSphere Application Server V6 Migration Guide
    This Redbook is to assist in the end-to-end migration of WebSphere Application Server installation. The end-to-end migration path includes the migration of the development environment, the test/integration environment, and the production environment using software engineering methodologies. This guide presents the best practices in migration strategy and planning, migration tools, and practical migration examples.
    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246369.html?Open

44. A quick guide for migrating to IBM WebSphere Application Server V6
    This guide provides a high level overview of the process for migrating from IBM WebSphere Application Server Version 4 or Version 5 to WebSphere Application Server V6.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0504_chalmers/0504_chalmers.html

45. WebSphere migrations: Migrating from WebSphere Application Server V4.0 to V6.0
    This high level checklist for migrating between versions of WebSphere Application Server can help you address major application- and environment-related areas so that your migration will be successful.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0405_beaton1/0405_beaton1.html

46. Migrating to WebSphere V5.0 An End-to-End Migration Guide
    This IBM Redbook will assist you in the end-to-end migration of a WebSphere Application Server installation. The end-to-end migration path includes the migration of the development environment, test/integration environment, and production environment using software-engineering methodologies. This guide presents the best practices in migration strategy and planning, migration tools, and practical migration examples.
    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com//Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg246910.html?OpenDocument

47. WebSphere migrations: Migrating from Microsoft Web-based applications to IBM WebSphere Application Server V5.1
    Many organizations are migrating applications from Microsoft® technologies like Visual Basic and COM+ (Component Object Model) to J2EE for a variety of reasons. For some organizations, it's a matter of consolidating their investment on a standard enterprise platform. Others have realized that departmental applications they have developed using this technology just cannot scale to an enterprise level. Whatever the reason, when migrating to J2EE and WebSphere Application Server, you need a plan.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0410_beaton/0410_beaton.html

48. Migrating Applications from WebLogic, JBoss and Tomcat to WebSphere V6
    This IBM Redbook will help you plan and execute the migration of J2EE 1.3 applications developed for BEA WebLogic Server 8.1, JBoss 3.2.7 and Apache Tomcat 5.5.9, so that they will run on WebSphere Application Server V6.
    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246690.html?Open

49. WebSphere migrations: Migrate from JBoss to WebSphere Application Server Community Edition
    The introduction of IBM WebSphere Application Server Community Edition is a golden opportunity for small and medium sized organizations to leverage the support and the architecture of WebSphere Application Server and Apache Geronimo as a superior alternative to JBoss Application Server. This document describes resources to help you migrate applications running on JBoss to WebSphere Application Server Community Edition, and has links to other articles that discuss migrating specific components (e.g. servlets, JDBC, EJBs, etc.) to JBOSS.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0511_nagarajan2/0511_nagarajan2.html

50. Migrating Applications from Microsoft DNA to IBM WebSphere
    This IBM Redbook is about migrating your application from Microsoft DNA to IBM's WebSphere Application Server, from coming up with a strategy and scope for the migration to architecting and developing the migration solution.
    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246333.html?Open

51. WebSphere migrations: Principles and plans for migrating from WebSphere Application Server Community Edition to other WebSphere Application Server products
    Learn how to migrate an application from IBM® WebSphere® Application Server Community Edition to IBM WebSphere Application Server Base with this high level checklist, which can help you address major application- and environment-related areas to ensure that your migration will be successful.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0511_nagarajan/0511_nagarajan.html

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F. Security

52. WebSphere Application Server V6: Security Handbook
    Applies to Version 6.x
    This IBM Redbook focuses on security and security-related topics and provides technical details to design and implement secure solutions with WebSphere.
    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246316.html?Open
    
    
53. Single Sign On -- A Contrarian View
    Have you considered using Single Sign On (SSO) for user authentication? While SSO lets you access multiple systems with a single password, implementation as a truly integrated security infrastructure is difficult. This article presents the issues, costs, and benefits of various SSO methods, as well as an alternative approach that uses a single registry.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0108_botzum/botzum.html
    
    
54. Understanding LDAP -- Design and Implementation
    The implementation and exploitation of centralized, corporate-wide directories are among the top priority projects in most organizations. Directories are key for successful IT operation and e-business application deployments in medium and large environments. IBM understands this requirement and supports it by providing directory implementations based on industry standards at no additional cost on all its major platforms and even important non-IBM platforms. The IBM Directory Server implements the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) standard that has emerged quickly in the past years as a result of the demand for such a standard.
    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com//Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg244986.html?OpenDocument
    
    
55. WebSphere Application Server security: Presentation series
    This set presentations discuss several key aspects of WebSphere security, summarizing in one place information that is often difficult to find elsewhere. This information has been presented and well-received at numerous IBM conferences, and will be revised (and new ones added) as the products evolve, so check back periodically.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0409_botzum/0409_botzum.html
    
    
56. WebSphere Application Server V5 advanced security and system hardening
    Applies to Version 5.x
    Security consists of more than just some firewalls at the edge of your network protecting you from the outside. It is a difficult and complex set of actions and procedures that strive to strengthen your systems as much as is appropriate.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0406_botzum/0406_botzum.html
    
    

57. Advanced authentication in WebSphere Application Server
    Applies to Version 6.x
    The advanced authentication features in WebSphere Application Server V6 support a more flexible authentication model with a new, highly customizable authentication framework that is based upon, and extends, Java Authentication and Authorization Service (JAAS). This article describes these new features in detail.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0508_benantar/0508_benantar.html

58. Testing J2EE Security Applications Using a Custom Registry in WebSphere Studio V5
    Applies to Version 5.x
    Using a file-based registry can be a simple alternative to implementing complex security in a test environment. This article walks through setting up the FileRegistrySample in WebSphere Studio Application Developer, reviews basic J2EE security, and tests a simple security implementation with a sample application.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0303_barcia/barcia.html
    
    

59. Database identity propagation in WebSphere Application Server V6
    Applies to Version 6.x
    Learn how to get major security benefits by developing code that lets your J2EE applications transparently send identity information to your database. Get the benefits of J2EE, including CMP beans, and still leverage the power of your database security.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0506_barghouthi/0506_barghouthi.html

60. Using the Java Secure Socket Extension in WebSphere Application Server
    Applies to Version 5.x
    This article addresses the configuration of the IBM JSSE (Java Secure Socket Extension), discusses aspects of keystore and truststore, and offers recommendations for handling these important elements of the JSSE in the IBM WebSphere Application Server environment.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0502_benantar/0502_benantar.html

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G. Testing

61. Planning for availability in the enterprise
    High availability is an achievable service-level characteristic to which every enterprise aspires. But too often, enterprises do not conduct comprehensive availability planning, resulting in damaging outages when load spikes or bandwidth is swamped for a variety of possible reasons. Applying the information in this article and in the accompanying spreadsheet to your availability planning will help your enterprise reach its high-availability goals.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0312_polozoff/polozoff.html

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H. Performance and monitoring

62. Meet the Experts: Ruth Willenborg on WebSphere Performance
    This question and answer article features expert Ruth Willenborg, who answers top questions on WebSphere Application Server V5 performance features and best practices for performance tuning.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0308_willenborg/willenborg.html

63. Design for Scalability -- an Update
    This paper describes component selection and management techniques you can use to make your Web site ready to adapt to increasing traffic. These techniques are the product of IBM's experience working with customers seeking to improve the performance and availability of some of the world's largest Web sites.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/hipods/scalability.html

64. J2EE Application Deployment: One or Many Applications per Application Server?
    Should you deploy a single J2EE application on each application server? Or should you deploy multiple J2EE applications on a single application server? WebSphere Application Server supports both options. Which approach should you choose? This article explores many of the issues that need to considered for both options.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0211_alcott/alcott.html

65. Tuning Parameter Hot list
    This WebSphere Application Server Information Center document lists the top ten tuning parameters which have a very significant impact on your WebSphere Application Server application performance.

    In this series:

    1. Tuning Parameter Hot list for Version 6
       http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/wasinfo/v6r0/topic/com.ibm.websphere.nd.doc/info/ae/ae/rprf_hotparameters.html

    2. Tuning Parameter Hot list for Version 5
       http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/wsphelp/topic/com.ibm.websphere.nd.doc/info/ae/ae/rprf_hotparameters.html

H.1. Caching

66. WebSphere Dynamic Cache: Improving J2EE application performance
    The Dynamic Cache is part of the IBM solution for improving performance of J2EE applications running within WebSphere Application Server. It supports caching of Java servlets, JavaServer Pages, WebSphere command objects, Web services objects, and Java objects. This paper describes the techniques used by the Dynamic Cache for caching these objects and demonstrates the performance improvement gained by applying these techniques to a typical enterprise Web application.
    http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/sj/432/bakalova.pdf

67. Static and dynamic caching in WebSphere Application Server V5
    This book excerpt explains how different types of caching can be used to maximize the performance and minimize the workload of each layer of a distributed Web application in WebSphere Application Server.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0405_hines/0405_hines.html

68. Improve performance by caching Struts and Tiles applications
    Caching of dynamic content (like servlets, JSPs, and Web services) significantly improves the performance of a Web application, and IBM WebSphere Application Server offers a built-in dynamic caching service for caching such content. Applications built using the Struts and Tiles frameworks can also be cached, using the simple steps described in this article.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0505_kodali/0505_kodali.html

H.2. Monitoring

69. A technique for monitoring WebSphere Application Server workload management
    This article describes a technique for using standard Web server directives to log workload management activity in the WebSphere Application Server cluster, and a mechanism for summarizing the behavior of WebSphere Application Server workload management in real time.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0403_russell/0403_russell.html

70. Proactive Application Monitoring
    When applied in an appropriate context, application monitoring is more than just the data that shows how an application is performing technically. This article presents a discussion on application monitoring methods, tools, and justification, and also provides a useful overview of what metrics to collect, for which components of a Web application, and when to collect them.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0304_polozoff/polozoff.html

H.3. Tuning

71. Finding Java Memory Leaks in WebSphere Application Server
    This two-part series describes how to diagnose Java memory leaks on WebSphere Application Server on distributed and z/OS platforms. The papers focus on Java heap leaks and the tools you can use to analyze the heaps.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0403_mora/0403_mora.html

72. Performance Testing Protocol for WebSphere Application Server-based Applications
    This article provides a protocol for conducting performance testing to determine the optimal environmental settings for an application in a variety of load scenarios. Topics include planning the performance environment, performing the actual testing, and measuring the application's performance characteristics.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0211_polozoff/polozoff.html

73. JVM Diagnostic Tools
    This page contains links to useful tools for diagnosing problems with Java programs on the IBM JVM. The Heaproots and HeapAnalyzer tools can be used to debug memory leaks by analyzing heap dumps. Heapanalyzer can present the results in a graphical user interface.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/java/jdk/diagnosis/

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I. Deployment readiness and practical considerations

74. Supported hardware and software levels for WebSphere Application Server
    These tables describe the hardware and software (operating systems, web servers, databases, etc.) required by and supported for running various versions of WebSphere Application Server and related components.
    http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27004311

75. Transactional high availability and deployment considerations in WebSphere Application Server V6
    Applies to Version 6.x
    This article introduces the new high availability support for the WebSphere Application Server transaction service, available as part of WebSphere Application Server V6. The article describes the two main styles of transactional high availability, discusses the infrastructure requirements associated with them, and explains the configuration steps required to enable these styles of high availability in your WebSphere Application Server deployment.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0504_beaven/0504_beaven.html

76. Co-hosting multiple versions of J2EE applications
    This article identifies and addresses key issues that need to be resolved to enable co-hosting of multiple versions of J2EE applications in a single WebSphere Application Server instance.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0405_poddar/0405_poddar.html

77. Firewall Port Assignments in WebSphere Application Server V5
    Applies to Versions 5.x and 6.x
    If you're migrating to WebSphere Application Server V5 from a prior version, there are some run time configuration changes that affect transports for inter-process communication that you will need to know about so you can adjust your firewalls accordingly. This article highlights what you need to know about transports, port assignments, and other differences in Version 5 so you can maintain the level of system security you need with confidence.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0310_alcott/alcott.html

78. Naming in WebSphere Application Server V5: Impact on Migration and Interoperability
    Applies to Versions 5.x and 6.x
    This article discusses the changes to the Naming component in WebSphere Application Server V5, and how these changes impact migration and interoperability issues.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0305_weiner/weiner.html

79. Understanding the WebSphere Application Server Web server plug-in
    Applies to Version 5.x
    An indepth understanding of the WebSphere Application Server Web server plug-in, which forwards HTTP requests from the Web server to WebSphere Application Server, will not only help you troubleshoot plug-in related issues more quickly, but will also help you make better application architecture decisions. This technical paper explains the use of the plug-in, with an emphasis on understanding and rectifying failure situations involving overloaded or hanging systems.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0310_cocasse/cocasse.html
    
    
80. J2EE Packaging and Common Code
    Common code libraries that provide common function to multiple J2EE applications at run time are extremely valuable and provide a number of benefits. But how should these common code libraries be packaged? This article discusses the benefits, challenges and risks of runtime sharing, and of providing J2EE applications with their own local copies of common code binaries.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0207_botzum/botzum.html
    
    

I.1. System administration

81. WebSphere Application Server V6 Planning and Design WebSphere Handbook Series
    The content of this Redbook is oriented to IT architects and consultants who require assistance when planning and designing from small to large and complex implementations. This Redbook addresses the new packaging and features incorporated in WebSphere Application Server V6, including technology options, product architecture, and integration with other products. It also covers the most common implementation topologies and addresses in detail the planning for specific tasks and components that conform to the WebSphere Application Server environment.
    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246446.html

82. System management for WebSphere Application Server V6
    Applies to Version 6.x
    A series of articles covering the significant system management functionality enhancements in IBM WebSphere Application Server V6.

    In this series:

    1. Part 1: Overview of system management enhancements
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0501_williamson/0501_williamson.html

    2. Part 2: Incremental cell upgrade
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0502_cheng/0502_cheng.html

    3. Part 3: Easier system management with Profiles
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0505_wang/0505_wang.html

    4. Part 4: New AdminTask commands make wsadmin scripting less complex and more practical
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0509_wang/0509_wang.html

    5. Part 5: Flexible options for updating deployed applications
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0510_apte/0510_apte.html

83. System Administration for WebSphere Application Server V5
    Applies to Version 5.x
    A series of articles describing the variety of ways to use the WebSphere Application Server V5 management features.

    1. Part 1: Overview of V5 Administration
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0301_williamson/williamson.html

    2. Part 2: Writing Your Own Administration Programs
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0302_cundiff/cundiff.html

    3. Part 3: Event Notifications
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0304_lauzon/lauzon.html

    4. Part 4: How to Extend the WebSphere Management System (and Create Your Own MBeans)
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0304_williamson/williamson.html

    5. Part 5: Programmatic Configuration
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0307_wang/wang.html

    6. Part 6: Application Management
       http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0309_apte/apte.html

84. Sample Scripts for WebSphere Application Server Versions 5 and 6
    This page contains links to sample .jacl scripts that you can use to configure and administer WebSphere Application Server. You can run them "as is" or modify them for your own environment. The security configuration samples and the administration samples run on WebSphere Application Server Version 5 and WebSphere Application Server - Express, Version 5. (The Jython versions of the administration scripts only run on version 5.1.) The configuration change samples run on version 5.1.1. The hardware and software requirements for these samples are the same as for the products on which they run.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/samples/SampleScripts.html
    
    

I2. Scalability and WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment

85. Server Clusters For High Availability in WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment Edition 5.0
    Applies to Version 5.x
    This white paper lays out the various tradeoffs involved with, and the options available for, building "highly available" production e-business solutions utilizing IBM's WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V5.0.
    http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27002473

86. Best Practice: WebSphere HTTP Plugin Failover for High Volume Web Sites
    Failover is a crucial component of any application server topology. When a machine fails due to a software failure, network failure, or power failure, it is expected that a second machine handles the workload indefinitely until the disabled machine is back online. The WebSphere HTTP Plugin is a crucial component of any failover scenario. By tuning the WebSphere HTTP Plugin configuration parameters to fit the particular environment, end users experience fewer delays and the failover performance of the WebSphere environment improves.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/bestpractices/plugin_failover_hvws.html

87. The Operations Design Review for WebSphere Application Server Applications
    This paper presents the essential topics to cover in a design review of a WebSphere application, with a focus on enabling the application to be deployed into a production setting. It outlines the basic roles of the operations and development teams in this design review, and details the questions the operations team needs to ask early in the design cycle.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0211_vansickel/vansickel_op.html

88. Maintain continuous availability while updating WebSphere Application Server enterprise applications
    This article describes a method for rolling out a new version of an enterprise application into a production environment where continuous availability of the application is desired. Applications with browser-based clients and Java-based clients are discussed.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0412_vansickel/0412_vansickel.html

89. IBM WebSphere Application Server V6: Scalability and Performance Handbook
    Applies to Version 6.x
    This IBM Redbook discusses various options for scaling applications based on IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V6. It explores how a basic WebSphere configuration can be extended to provide more computing power by better exploiting the power of each machine and by using multiple machines.
    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246392.html?Open

    Alternative reading for Version 5.x:

    1. IBM WebSphere V5.1 Performance, Scalability, and High Availability WebSphere Handbook Series
       http://www.redbooks.ibm.com//Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg246198.html?OpenDocument

90. WebSphere Edge Components
    This book excerpt explains what is meant by the "edge" of the network and "edge" devices, and then describes the specific features, usage, and functionality of the WebSphere Edge Components, included with WebSphere Application Server V5 Network Deployment.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0407_hines/0407_hines.html

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J. On demand computing

91. Comment lines from Kyle Brown: Why you need WebSphere Extended Deployment
    A very short article that discusses some of the more interesting features of WebSphere Extended Deployment.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0504_col_brown/0504_col_brown.html

92. Meet the experts: Jason McGee on WebSphere Extended Deployment
    WebSphere Extended Deployment is a new product that extends the capabilities of the WebSphere software platform to include new notions of dynamic operations, high performance computing, and extended management. This question and answer article features Chief Architect Jason McGee who answers questions about WebSphere Extended Deployment 5.1.
    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0504_mcgee/0504_mcgee.html

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Bobby Woolf, Roland Barcia, Sree Anand Ratnasinghe, Paul Ilechko, Bill Hines, Donald Vines, Stacy Joines, Alex Polozoff, Steve Fontes for their contributions.

Resources

Recommended retail books

• IBM WebSphere: Deployment and Advanced Configuration, Roland Barcia, Bill Hines, et al., Prentice Hall, 2004, ISBN: 0131468626
• Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture, Martin Fowler, David Rice, et al., Addison-Wesley, 2002, ISBN: 0321127420
• Core J2EE Patterns: Best Practices and Design Strategies, Deepak Alur, John Crupi, Dan Malks, Prentice Hall, 2003, ISBN: 0131422464
• Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software, Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, et al., Addison-Wesley, 1997, ISBN: 0201633612
• Enterprise Integration Patterns: Designing, Building, and Deploying Messaging Solutions, Gregor Hohpe, Bobby Woolf, Addison-Wesley, 2003, ISBN: 0321200683
• Enterprise Messaging Using JMS and IBM WebSphere, Kareem Yusuf, Prentice Hall, 2004, ISBN: 0131468634
• Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code, Martin Fowler, Kent Beck, et al., Addison-Wesley, 1999, ISBN: 0201485672
• Domain-Driven Design: Tackling Complexity in the Heart of Software, Eric Evans, Addison-Wesley, 2003, ISBN: 0321125215
• Performance Analysis for Java Websites, Stacy Joines, Ruth Willenborg, Ken Hygh, Addison-Wesley, 2002, ISBN: 0201844540
• Enterprise Java Programming with IBM Websphere, Second Edition, Kyle Brown, Gary Craig, et al., Addison-Wesley, 2003, ISBN: 032118579X
• IBM WebSphere System Administration, Leigh Williamson, Lavena Chan, Roger Cundiff, Prentice Hall, 2004, ISBN: 0131446045
• Maximizing Performance and Scalability With IBM WebSphere, Adam Neat, Springer-Verlag, 2003, ISBN: 1590591305
• Inside Java 2 Platform Security: Architecture, API Design, and Implementation, Li Gong, Gary Ellison, Mary Dageforde, Addison Wesley Professional, 2003, ISBN: 0201787911
• Secrets and Lies: Digital Security in a Networked World, Bruce Schneier, John Wiley & Sons, 2004, ISBN: 0471453803

WebSphere support and downloads

• WebSphere Application Server support for fast access to problem solving resources.
• Technotes contain valuable programming tips, Q&As, and workarounds, updated regularly by WebSphere Application Server support and development teams.
• WebSphere Application Server trial product downloads

Blogs

These blogs are authored by WebSphere Application Server experts, who regularly provide information on developing J2EE applications with WebSphere Application Server in easily digestible chunks:

• Wayne Beaton provides useful nuggets of information on WebSphere migrations in practice, extreme programming, and good programming practices in general.
• Kyle Brown offers his latest little snippets on Java, Web services, and other stuff.
• Billy Newport, a lead WebSphere developer, rambles on WebSphere Application Server, J2EE, and high availability.
• Bobby Woolf discusses how to use J2EE and related technologies in practice to develop real applications, including how to make the best use of WebSphere Application Server and Rational Application Developer.
• Roland Barcia blogs about WebSphere Application Server, ESB, SOA, and AJAX.

WebSphere education

• The IBM Education Assistant integrates narrated presentations, tutorials, and resource links to help you successfully use the WebSphere family of products. Included are tutorials on overview, installation, migration, programming model, security, high availability, and many other topics related to WebSphere Application Server.
• WebSphere Education offers classroom and Web-based training courses on a wide range of WebSphere products and related technologies.

More resources

• IBM Software Services for WebSphere
• IBM developerWorks WebSphere Application Server zone
• IBM WebSphere Application Server Information Center (all versions)
• IBM WebSphere Developer Technical Journal
• The EJB Advocate explores various EJB-related design issues every month in a conversational fashion.
• Browse for books on these and other technical topics.

About the author

		IBM Software Services for WebSphere is a team of highly skilled consultants with broad architectural knowledge, deep technical skills, best practices expertise, and close ties with IBM research and development labs. We provide worldwide support for WebSphere products to make it easy for clients and partners to design, build, test, and deploy solutions, helping you to become an on demand business.

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