What is it?
IBM's Websphere
Application Server Community Edition (WAS CE) is a free
downloadable J2EE platform for developing and deploying
applications. It is built on the open-source application server,
with extensions from IBM, including the IBM Java Developers Kit
(JDK) and support for IBM's Java Virtual Machine. IBM has described
it as "90% Apache Geronimo with an IBM WebSphere product look and
feel".
WebSphere is IBM's strategic integration platform, and an
essential technology for anyone developing and maintaining
applications for IBM installations. The Community Edition provides
a way in for people who do not have access to the £350-plus a day
required for formal WebSphere training.
IBM says, "WAS CE shares many of the same capabilities of the
rest of the WAS family. WAS CE is a different technology base, but
if you are building applications based on J2EE standards, there is
little difference."
Unlike
JBoss, which uses integration and certification to
differentiate between the community and commercial versions of its
application server, IBM tests the interdependencies between
existing and new features added to WAS Community Edition.
Where did it originate?
The WebSphere Application Server was first shipped in 1998. IBM
first become involved with Apache Geronimo in 2005, providing
resources that enabled it to get J2EE certification. WAS CE was
released at the end of 2005.
What is it for?
Application servers are the "plumbing" or middleware that
enables applications to be configured, deployed and managed, and to
access data and talk to each another.
WAS CE has an Eclipse plug-in, providing access to a range of
free application development, debugging and deployment tools for
Java and other web applications and services. The open-source
Apache Derby database is supplied, and there are drivers for
IBM's DB2, Oracle,
Microsoft SQL Server and
MySQL. There is also a version of the administrative console
used by paid-for WebSphere products.
What makes it special?
Provided you don't need support (which is where IBM makes its
money), you don't have to pay to develop, test and deploy
applications with WAS CE.
How difficult is it to master?
You can begin to develop simple applications as soon as you have
downloaded the software, but this is not the place to start if you
don't already have Java development skills. To gain WebSphere
certification as a developer, you will need to pick your way
through five "skill-building areas" - Java, Object Technology,
Eclipse, Web Services and XML. Training for certification as a
systems administrator takes from three to four and a half days,
depending on the platform, but again you will be expected to show
knowledge of the J2EE platform as well as XML, TCP/IP, HTTP and
other internet concepts, and your target operating system.
What systems does it run on?
All IBM's mainframe and midrange systems, Linux, Solaris, HP-UX
and Windows.
What is coming up?
Releases of WAS CE follow Apache Geronimo, which reached Version
2.1 in February this year. Release 7 of mainstream WebSphere is
expected in September this year.
Rates of pay
From £30,000 to £35,000 for developers and administrators.
Experienced WebSphere people are in demand as "infrastructure
designers", "integration architects", and for similar senior staff
and consultant posts.
Training
There is some material available from
IBM, but you will need to cast your net wider if you want to
build your own free training. Try the
Geronimo
documentation and tutorials
or
free self-learning material from IBM.