What is it?
For most of us, JBoss still means the open source J2EE
application server, which came from nowhere to challenge incumbents
like BEA, IBM and Oracle with its freely downloadable,
community-supported platform for developing and deploying Java
software. JBoss was one of the pioneers of the "professional open
source" model, combining community-developed software (JBoss.org)
with commercial services and tools (JBoss.com).
Two years ago,
JBoss was acquired by Linux distributor Red Hat two years ago.
Though the JBoss Application Server can still be downloaded, Red
Hat now emphasises that "projects on JBoss.org are supported only
by the community, with no SLA, and have changes or features that
may not ultimately make it into the JBoss Enterprise releases".
Instead, Red Hat pushes the JBoss Enterprise Application
Platform, which integrates specific versions of JBoss Application
Server, clustering, cache, messaging and other JBoss technologies
such as hibernate and seam into a certified and supported Java
applications platform, with a promised five-year lifecycle. RedHat
argues that these technologies are released independently of one
another on JBoss.org, leaving customers to decide what to use, and
then make them work together.
References on JBoss.com to JBoss.org use phrases like
"bleeding-edge" technology, which is likely to scare off all but
the dedicated open sourcer. At the same time, Red Hat is leading
the chorus of complaints that big corporate users of open source
software are giving nothing back.
Where did it originate?
The founders of JBoss included people from J2EE creator Sun and
application server specialist BEA. JBoss Application Server was
first released in 1999, and the commercial JBoss organisation was
founded in 2001.
What's it for?
JBoss Enterprise Application Platform is built around a service
oriented architecture microkernel, which uses Java Management
Extensions to assemble and manage services such as messaging or
transactions. JBoss developers can customise and package their own
services.
Last year, Red Hat brought out the JBoss Developer Studio, which
includes open source tools from the
Eclipse project with others
from the
Ajax tools supplier
Exadel. Red Hat
uses the same arguments - the tools have been integrated and
certified to work together - to justify a charge for these tools,
which it describes as "the first Eclipse-based development
environment combining open source tooling and runtime for complete
application lifecycles".
Red Hat also supplies its own application stack, which combines
Lamp components like Linux, Apache, Postgres, MySQL, PHP and
Perl with the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform.
What makes it special?
JBoss Enterprise Application Platform combines open source
advantages such as low cost and rapid development of new features
with commercial services such as support, integration and
guarantees.
How difficult is it to master?
Those with access to a training budget can take a four-day
course, JBoss and EJB3 for Java Developers (£2,180) systems
administrators can take a three-day course for £1,710. Developers
will need experience of Java and object-oriented development, but
administrators need no prior knowledge of J2EE.
Otherwise it's still possible to build your own training course
for nothing by downloading software and documentation from
JBoss.org, and using other community sites, and books from O'Reilly
and others.
Where is it used?
JBoss users include retailers, telcos, government agencies,
universities, broadcasters and transport organisations.
What systems does it run on?
Windows and Linux.
Rates of pay
J2EE developers with JBoss earn between £30,000 and 40,000.
Training
JBoss adds Ajax >>
Enterprise users demand JBoss >>
Red Hat targets enterprise middleware >>