Introduction

This list of recommended reading connects you to documents that contain essential information that practitioners should know and understand before diving into Java™ EE application design and implementation using IBM® WebSphere® Application Server.

This list is intended for anyone interested in using or learning more about WebSphere Application Server.

About versions: Unless otherwise noted, the items in this list contain information that is generally applicable to all currently-supported versions of WebSphere Application Server, even though the information might be discussed in the context of older releases. 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.

About other products: Although this list provides some starting points for learning about Web application development using other IBM products and related technologies, the focus here is on the WebSphere Application Server product family. Check the IBM developerWorks Rational® zone for more comprehensive reference material on Web development and IBM Rational products, the SOA and Web services zone for Service Oriented Architecture articles and design tips, and the Project Zero development community for information about using IBM WebSphere sMash to build rich Internet applications.

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The list

The items in this list are organized into these categories:

1. Fundamentals
2. Architecture
3. Administration
4. Data integration
5. Web services
6. Application development
   1. Rational Application Developer basics
   2. Java EE development
   3. Web 2.0
   4. Service Component Architecture
   5. Other frameworks
7. Security
8. Problem determination
9. Performance and scalability
10. WebSphere DataPower Appliances
11. Maintenance

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A. Fundamentals

1. WebSphere Application Server: Product line

   Web site: WebSphere Application Server supports the broadest range of platforms in the industry so your applications can be built to run on the platform that makes most sense for your business. This site provides overview information on the WebSphere Application Server V7 product editions that are available.

   http://www-01.ibm.com/software/webservers/appserv/wasproductline/

2. WebSphere Application Server V7.0: Technical Overview

   Redpaper: WebSphere Application Server is the implementation by IBM of the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE) platform. It conforms to the Java EE 5 specification and is available in unique packages that are designed to meet a wide range of customer requirements. At the heart of each package is a WebSphere Application Server that provides the runtime environment for enterprise applications. This discussion centers on the runtime server component of WebSphere Application Server.

   http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/redp4482.html?Open

3. WebSphere Application Server detailed system requirements

   Web site: Detailed hardware and software requirements for all supported releases of WebSphere Application Server.

   http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&uid=swg27006921

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B. Architecture

4. WebSphere Application Server V7: Concepts, Planning and Design

   Redbook: Discusses the concepts, planning, and design of WebSphere Application Server V7.0 environments, ranging from small to large, and complex implementations. Addresses the packaging and the features incorporated into WebSphere Application Server, covers the most common implementation topologies, and addresses planning for specific tasks and components that conform to the WebSphere Application Server environment. Includes planning for WebSphere Application Server V7.0 and WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V7.0 on distributed platforms, and WebSphere Application Server for z/OS V7.0, and also covers considerations for migrating from previous releases.

   http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg247708.html?OpenDocument

5. The Ideal WebSphere Development Environment

   Article: A description of 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

6. Rational Application Developer V7.5 Programming Guide

   Redbook: IBM Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software V7.5 is the full function Eclipse 3.4 based development platform for developing Java Standard Edition Version 6 (Java SE 6) and Java EE 5 applications with a focus on applications to be deployed to WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Portal. Rational Application Developer provides integrated development tools for all development roles, including Web developers, Java developers, business analysts, architects, and enterprise programmers. This programming guide highlights the features and tooling included with Rational Application Developer V7.5, and includes working examples that demonstrate how to use the tooling to develop applications and achieve the benefits of visual and rapid application development.

   http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg247672.html

7. Developing defensively: Part 1: Defensive architecture

   Article: Investigate the principles of defensive architecture and learn approaches for addressing some common architectural problems that could lead to system degradation -- or even overall system failure.

   http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0904_brown/0904_brown.html

8. Problem Determination through Defensive Infrastructure Architecture: Part 1: Runtime deployments with queues and ESBs

   Article: The widely known "keep it simple strategy" (KISS) is a wise practice to follow when building out an infrastructure. Application deployments, packaging, and placement requires considerable thought and effort to execute well. However, sometimes what appears to be a simple implementation can hinder problem determination leaving a production runtime unstable or, worse, unavailable. What is simpler for one side of the IT development or operations staff makes troubleshooting and root cause analysis that much harder because it is difficult to separate out discrete events or the lack of valuable but missing data. This article looks at some real life examples where "more is actually less" when it comes to KISS.

   http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/webservices/library/ws-probdetermination/index.html

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C. Administration

9. What's new in WebSphere Application Server V7: An overview of important new features

   Article: IBM WebSphere Application Server V7 has powerful new features and dramatic enhancements to help you achieve heightened productivity, stronger security, tighter integration, and simplified administration. Find out about some of the new key features that enable this new release to provide a flexible and reliable foundation for your service-oriented architecture.

   http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0809_alcott/0809_alcott.html

10. System administration for WebSphere Application Server V7

    Article series: This series of articles describes several important new administration features available in WebSphere Application Server V7:

    • Part 1: An overview of administrative enhancements

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0811_apte/0811_apte.html

    • Part 2: New administrative topologies

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0901_cundiff/0901_cundiff.html

    • Part 3: Administering a flexible management topology (Tutorial)

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0903_khalil/

    • Part 4: Properties-based configuration

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0904_chang/0904_chang.html

    • Part 5: Business-level applications

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0905_edwards/0905_edwards.html

11. WebSphere Application Server V7 Administration and Configuration Guide

    Applies to V7

    Redbook: Provides information to help system administrators and developers configure a WebSphere Application Server V7 run time environment, package and deploy applications, and manage the WebSphere environment on an ongoing basis. This book provides a detailed exploration of the WebSphere Application Server V7 run time administration process, including configuration and administration information for WebSphere Application Server V7 and WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V7 on distributed platforms, and WebSphere Application Server for z/OS V7.

    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedpieceAbstracts/sg247615.html?Open

    Alternative reading for V6.1:

    • WebSphere Application Server V6.1: System Management and Configuration (Redbook)

      http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg247304.html?OpenDocument

12. Command assistance simplifies administrative scripting in WebSphere Application Server

    Article: Command assistance is a feature that provides wsadmin commands in the Jython scripting language for various actions performed within the WebSphere Application Server V7 administrative console. This article offers usage scenarios that could assist you in leveraging the full capabilities of this feature. Those who will benefit most from this information are administrators with beginner to intermediate experience with wsadmin and scripting. Those not familiar with command assistance will learn how to use it, store a history of commands, and make the commands generic through the use of variables.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0812_rhodes/0812_rhodes.html

13. Everything you always wanted to know about WebSphere Application Server but were afraid to ask

    Column series: A series of articles answering frequently asked technical questions about WebSphere Application Server. Some highlights:

    • Part 2: EJB client workload management, sharing sessions across cells

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0512_col_alcott/0512_col_alcott.html

    • Part 5: Deploying across multiple data centers, high availability, disaster recovery

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0707_col_alcott/0707_col_alcott.html

14. Using virtual image templates to deploy WebSphere Application Server

    Article: One significant advantage of server virtualization is the ability to rapidly provision new environments by using libraries of virtual image templates. This article offers an approach and sample scripts for using WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment inside virtual machine templates. The approach leverages new capabilities provided in WebSphere Application Server V6, making the process of creating a template installation that is easily copied and customized for a new host much easier. This article has been updated to include techniques and sample scripts for including WebSphere profiles, applications, and clusters inside WebSphere template images. These new techniques shorten activation time and simplify the use of template images in ISV scenarios, and with WebSphere products such as WebSphere Portal, WebSphere Process Server, and so on.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0705_willenborg/0705_willenborg.html

15. Tactics and tradeoffs in a large shared topology: Facts and advice for infrastructure architects and administrators

    Article: The challenges of managing a large scale topology are best addressed through planning, proactive actions, and strategic decisions, as opposed to attempting to deploy and manage in a reactive manner. This article will help you identify some of the tactics, trade offs, and critical issues that stand between your infrastructure and large scale success.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0711_polozoff/0711_polozoff.html

16. Maintain continuous availability while updating WebSphere Application Server enterprise applications

    Article: 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

17. The WebSphere Contrarian: Changing host names and migrating profiles in WebSphere Application Server

    Article: If you're moving your WebSphere Application Server configuration or migrating your environment, you might have to change host names or migrate profiles from one machine to another. This article explains how to do this, whether you're using WebSphere Application Server Version 5.x, 6.x, or 7.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0905_webcon/0905_webcon.html

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D. Data integration

18. WebSphere and Messaging: A brief introduction to the Service Integration Bus

    Blog: A brief primer on the basic concepts and elements that make up this WebSphere Application Server messaging mechanism.

    http://webspheremessaging.blogspot.com/2008/11/brief-introduction-to-service.html

19. WebSphere Application Server V7 Messaging Administration Guide

    Redbook: WebSphere Application Server V7 supports asynchronous messaging based on the Java Message Service (JMS) and the Java EE Connector Architecture (JCA) specifications. Asynchronous messaging support provides applications with the ability to create, send, receive, and read asynchronous requests, as messages. WebSphere Application Server provides a default messaging provider, as well as support for WebSphere MQ and generic messaging providers.This IBM Redbook publication provides information on the messaging features of WebSphere Application Server V7. It contains information on configuring, securing, and managing messaging resources, with a focus on the WebSphere default messaging provider.

    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedpieceAbstracts/sg247770.html?Open

20. Using the WebSphere MQ messaging provider in WebSphere Application Server V7

    Article series: IBM WebSphere Application Server V7 contains key improvements to the way it interoperates with IBM WebSphere MQ as a Java Message Service (JMS) provider. This article provides an overview of the new WebSphere MQ messaging provider with particular focus on its new capabilities and the enhancements in WebSphere Application Server V7.

    • Part 1: Introducing the new WebSphere MQ messaging provider

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0901_leming/0901_leming.html

21. Building a high availability database environment using WebSphere middleware

    Article series: This series presents strategies for high availability, workload management, and disaster recovery in WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment and WebSphere Process Server environments with IBM DB2® and Oracle RAC.

    • Part 1: Using DB2 High Availability Disaster Recovery with WebSphere Application Server

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0705_lee/0705_lee.html

    • Part 2: Using Oracle Real Application Cluster (RAC) with WebSphere Process Server

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0706_banerjee/0706_banerjee.html

    • Part 3: Handling two-phase commit in WebSphere Application Server using Oracle

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0710_barghouthi/0710_barghouthi.html

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E. Web services

22. Feature Pack for Web Services for WebSphere Application Server V6.1

    Applies to Version 6.1

    Utility: WebSphere Application Server V7 and WebSphere Application Server V6.1 with the Feature Pack for Web Services support two Web services programming models: JAX-RPC 1.1 and JAX-WS 2.0 (which is the successor to JAX-RPC 1.1. If you are using V6.1 without the feature pack, then you will only have support for JAX-RPC services. You must install the feature pack to get the added JAX-WS 2.0 support. If you are using V7, support for both JAX-WS and JAX-RPC is already built in and so no feature pack is required. Since JAX-WS is the strategic API, you should use that programming model in general for new Web services development. (The next item in this list compares the two programming models.)

    http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&uid=swg21264563

23. Web services hints and tips: JAX-RPC vs JAX-WS

    Applies to Version 6.1 and 7.0

    Article series: JAX-WS 2.0 is the successor to JAX-RPC 1.1. This series compares these two Java Web services programming models.

    • Part 1: Introduction

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/webservices/library/ws-tip-jaxwsrpc.html

    • Part 2: A look at the differences in data mapping

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/webservices/library/ws-tip-jaxwsrpc2.html

    • Part 3: The service endpoint interface

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/webservices/library/ws-tip-jaxwsrpc3/

    • Part 4: The dynamic invocation interfaces

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/webservices/library/ws-tip-jaxwsrpc4/

    • Part 5: Comparing attachment files: Sw/A and MTOM

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/webservices/library/ws-tip-jaxwsrpc5/

24. Top 8 tips to optimize your web services client in WebSphere

    Applies to Versions 6.1 and 7.0

    Web site: If you use WebSphere Application Server to develop your Web services client application, this list will help you optimize the client.

    http://www.websphere-world.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2000

25. WS-Notification in WebSphere Application Server V7

    Applies to Version 7.0

    Article series: Learn how to develop JAX-WS applications for use with the updated WS-Notification functionality included with WebSphere Application Server V7.0. Some familiarity with Java-based Web services, the WS-Notification 1.3 family of specifications, and some experience using the WebSphere Application Server administration console is expected.

    • Part 1: Writing JAX-WS applications for WS-Notification

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0811_partridge/0811_partridge.html

    • Part 2: Configuring JAX-WS applications with WS-Security for WS-Notification

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0904_jiang/0904_jiang.html

26. Message-level security with JAX-WS on WebSphere Application Server V7: Using Rational Application Developer 7.5.2 to build secure JAX-WS Web services

    Applies to Version 7.0

    Tutorial: Demonstrates how to build a JAX-WS client and server Web service that runs on WebSphere Application Server V7. Additionally, it teaches you how to configure message-level security for the SOAP message by configuring policy sets through Rational Application Developer V7.5.2.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/tutorials/0905_griffith/

27. Use IBM Rational Application Developer Version 7.5 Web Service Policy Framework to share policy configurations: Share your policy configurations between Web service providers and clients

    Applies to Version 7.0

    Article: Briefly explains the concept of Web Services Policy Framework and walks you through an example of how you can leverage Rational Application Developer V7.5 to configure Web services policies. You can easily follow the sample to tailor it to your needs.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/09/rationalapplicationdeveloperwebservicepolicyframework/index.html

28. Develop a SOAP/JMS JAX-WS Web services application with WebSphere Application Server V7 and Rational Application Developer V7.5

    Applies to Version 7.0

    Tutorial: WebSphere Application Server V7 provides support for SOAP over Java Message Service (JMS) with JAX-WS Web service applications. SOAP over JMS can be used as an alternative to SOAP over HTTP for transmitting SOAP request and response messages. This tutorial shows you how to use Rational Application Developer V7.5 to develop and deploy a JAX-WS Web service application that uses SOAP over JMS.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/tutorials/0903_adams/index.html

29. WebSphere Application Server V7.0 Web Services Guide

    Applies to Version 7.0

    Redbook: Describes how to implement Web services in WebSphere Application Server V7. It starts by describing the concepts of the major building blocks on which Web services rely and leading practices for Web services applications. It then illustrates how to use Rational Application Developer and the WebSphere tools to build and deploy a Web services application.In addition to the fundamentals of Web services development, this book provides information on advanced topics, including WS-Policy, WS-MetadataExchange, Web services transactions, WS-Notification, Secure conversation, and WS-SecurityKerberos.

    http://w3.itso.ibm.com/redpieces/abstracts/sg247758.html

30. Web Services Feature Pack for WebSphere Application Server V6.1

    Applies to Version 6.1

    Redbook: The WebSphere Application Server V6.1 Feature pack for Web services offers a new and improved implementation of Java Web services and improved usability. Some of the changes simplify existing solutions; others enable new solutions requiring more secure and reliable services, asynchronous interaction patterns, and more complex data models. The Feature pack for Web services offers a preliminary implementation of the WS-I Reliable and Secure WS-I profile. This IBM Redbooks publication includes an extensive interoperability example using Reliable and Secure Web services with the Windows® Communications Foundation. There are also lots of examples showing you how to use the feature pack, use the new Web services Policy sets, and code Java Web services using the JAX-WS specification. For architects and designers, there are chapters on business scenarios that will benefit from the feature pack, and examples of patterns that are readily implemented using the feature pack.

    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg247618.html

31. JAX-WS client APIs in the Web Services Feature Pack for WebSphere Application Server V6.1

    Applies to Version 6.1

    Article series: An introduction to JAX-WS 2.0, the new programming model supported in the WebSphere Application Server V6.1 Feature Pack for Web Services.

    • Part 1: Creating a dispatch client

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0707_thaker/0707_thaker.html

    • Part 2: Creating a proxy client

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0709_thaker/0709_thaker.html

    • Part 3: Using the JAX-WS asynchronous programming model

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0804_sedov/0804_sedov.html

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F. Application development

a. Rational Application Developer basics

32. What's new in IBM Rational Application Developer Version 7.5

    Applies to Rational Application Developer Version 7.5

    Article: An overview of the new features of IBM Rational Application Developer V7.5. As it is the successor to Version 7.0, a basic familiarity with Rational Application Developer in general is useful.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/08/1111_chung/index.html

33. Rational Application Developer V7.5 Programming Guide

    Applies to Rational Application Developer Version 7.5

    Redbook: Programming guide that highlights the features and tooling included with Rational Application Developer V7.5. Many of the chapters provide working examples that demonstrate how to use the tooling to develop applications, as well as achieve the benefits of visual and rapid application development.

    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpieces/abstracts/sg247672.html?Open

    Alternative reading for Rational Application Developer V7:

    • Rational Application Developer V7 Programming Guide

      http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg247501.html?OpenDocument

b. Java EE development

34. Why do non-functional requirements matter?

    Article: Functionality is important, but if you don't consider non-functional requirements -- which address how your solution is going to operate in the real world -- then your clever solution could end up being useless in practice. This is a list of non-functional requirements that are critical to success.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0601_col_bobrha/0601_col_bobrha.html

35. The top Java EE best Practices

    Article: A top 10 (+9) list of the most important best practices for Java EE application development. Updated to take into account changing technology trends and, more importantly, recommends certain practices that the authors assumed would be commonly followed, but, as they have learned, are not.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0701_botzum/0701_botzum.html

36. Get to know Java EE 5

    Article: An overview of the new Java EE 5 specification, its many significant enhancements, and what it means for your WebSphere applications.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0707_barcia/0707_barcia.html

37. Rational Application Developer V7.5: Using the Java Persistence API

    Demo: Shows how to use the new Java EE 5 Java Persistence API (JPA) framework to create simple JPA entity and manager beans. This is part of a series of demonstrations that show the new features of Rational Application Developer Version 7.5.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/offers/lp/demos/summary/r-radjpa.html

38. Building Java EE applications with IBM Rational Application Developer V7.5 and WebSphere Application Server V7.0: A step-by-step guide to creating Java EE V5.0 applications

    Article: Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software Version 7.5 contains tools to create Java EE applications utilizing JPA and EJB 3.0 technology. Rational Application Developer V7.5 introduces new wizards, editors, and perspectives to create powerful applications easily. This article, targeted for intermediate users, walks you through various new features and shows you how to create an end-to-end Java EE application.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/08/1104_agrawal/index.html

39. Building EJB 3.0 applications with WebSphere Application Server: Using the WebSphere Application Server V6.1 Feature Pack for Enterprise JavaBeans 3.0

    Applies to Version 6.1 only

    Article: EJB 3.0 is a major step forward in simplifying application development in the enterprise. By using the IBM WebSphere Application Server V6.1 Feature Pack for Enterprise JavaBeans 3.0, you can benefit from the simplified development experience, new persistence model, and new features such as interceptors, while still deploying to a robust WebSphere platform.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0712_barcia/0712_barcia.html

40. What's new in JavaServer Faces tooling in IBM Rational Application Developer Version 7.5

    Article: This article highlights the most important new features for JavaServer™ Faces support in Rational Application Developer V7.5.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/08/0926_kats/index.html

41. Understanding how EJB calls operate in WebSphere Application Server V6.1

    Article: Many applications use Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) deployed in an WebSphere Application Server EJB container. Communication to these EJB components requires the use of concepts like Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP) communication, JNDI look-ups, and workload management. This interaction can be complex and is often a black box for many WebSphere users. This article provides a basic understanding of how EJB communication works in the context of WebSphere Application Server. Communication into and out of the ORB is addressed, along with the definitions of basic call patterns and components involved in making calls to EJB components deployed in the EJB container. A basic understanding of J2EE™ principles and general administrative knowledge of WebSphere Application Server is assumed.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0807_pape/0807_pape.html

c. Web 2.0

42. RESTful Web services: The basics

    Article: Representational State Transfer (REST) has gained widespread acceptance across the Web as a simpler alternative to SOAP- and Web Services Description Language (WSDL)-based Web services. Key evidence of this shift in interface design is the adoption of REST by mainstream Web 2.0 service providers—including Yahoo, Google, and Facebook—who have deprecated or passed on SOAP and WSDL-based interfaces in favor of an easier-to-use, resource-oriented model to expose their services. This article introduces you to the basic principles of REST.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/webservices/library/ws-restful/index.html

43. Building Dynamic Ajax Applications Using WebSphere Feature Pack for Web 2.0

    Applies to Versions 6.1 and 7.0

    Redbook: Demonstrates techniques and technologies available through the WebSphere Application Server Feature Pack for Web 2.0 for building dynamic, next-generation Web applications. It covers connecting to SOA services from Ajax using lightweight protocols REST and JSON, extending enterprise messaging to the Web using Ajax messaging, speeding up Ajax application time to market using the Ajax Development Toolkit featuring Dojo, and more.

    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg247635.html?Open

44. Dojo Campus

    Web site: An essential resource for Dojo training, online lessons, samples, and tutorials

    http://dojocampus.org/

45. Web 2.0 Application Development using JPA, AJAX, and Dojo tools in Rational Application Developer Version 7.5: Rational Application Developer provides new features to make Web 2.0 application construction easy

    Article: Explains how to create a simple end-to-end Web application using the JPA, AJAX, and Dojo tools available in Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software V7.5. Developers building applications to run on WebSphere Application Servers with the EJB 3 and Web 2.0 Feature Packs can take advantage of new functionality using Rational Application Developer's new Web tools.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rational/library/08/0930_stein/index.html

46. Rational Application Developer V7.5: Rich Internet application development tools

    Demo: Highlights the enhanced Web 2.0, rich Internet application development features in Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software V7.5. Learn how to build a simple AJAX application that displays data from a database using Java Persistence API (JPA). See how easy it is to create a responsive Web user interface using Rational Application Developer features such as code generation, wizards and integrated test servers to develop applications faster than ever before.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/offers/lp/demos/summary/r-radweb.html

d. Service Component Architecture

47. Exploring the WebSphere Application Server Feature Pack for SCA

    Applies to Version 7.0

    Article series: An introduction to open Service Component Architecture (SCA) concepts, objectives of the technology, and some of the key integration points that provide great value to WebSphere Application Server V7.0 users.

    • Part 1: An overview of the Service Component Architecture feature pack

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0812_beck/0812_beck.html

    • Part 2: Web services policy sets

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0901_coats/0901_coats.html

    • Part 3: Intents and policies available in the SCA feature pack

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0902_beck/0902_beck.html

    • Part 4: SCA Java annotations and component implementation

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0902_beck2/0902_beck2.html

    • Part 5: Protocol bindings for Service Component Architecture services

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0904_beck/0904_beck.html

e. Other frameworks

48. Using Spring and Hibernate with WebSphere Application Server

    Article: If you're considering using Spring or Hibernate with WebSphere Application Server, this article explains how to configure these frameworks for various scenarios with WebSphere Application Server. This article is neither an endorsement nor an exhaustive review of either framework, but a critical reference to help you successfully implement such scenarios.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0609_alcott/0609_alcott.html

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G. Security

49. WebSphere Application Server V6 advanced security hardening

    Article series: 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. This article covers many aspects of security in general, details the IBM WebSphere Application Server security architecture, and discusses hardening a WebSphere Application Server environment.

    • Part 1: Overview and approach to security hardening

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0512_botzum/0512_botzum1.html

    • Part 2: Advanced security considerations

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0512_botzum/0512_botzum2.html

50. WebSphere Application Server V7.0 Security Guide

    Applies to Version 7.0

    Redbook: Information needed to implement secure solutions with WebSphere Application Server V7.0. This book focuses on security for the application server and its components, including enterprise applications. This book is intended for anyone that plans to secure applications and the application serving environment.

    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedpieceAbstracts/sg247660.html?Open

    Alternative reading for Version 6.1:

    • IBM WebSphere Application Server V6.1 Security Handbook

      http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/RedbookAbstracts/sg246316.html?OpenDocument

51. SPNEGO TAI: Using single sign-on from Windows to WebSphere Application Server

    Article: The WebSphere Application Server Simple and Protected GSS-API Negotiation (SPNEGO) trust association interceptor (TAI) can be a powerful tool to achieve a seamless single sign-on environment between Microsoft® Windows desktops and WebSphere-based servers. However, some users have trouble configuring service principal names when using the SPNEGO TAI. This article describes some best practices for configuring Microsoft Active Directory and the SPNEGO TAI.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0809_lansche/0809_lansche.html

52. SSL, certificate, and key management enhancements for even stronger security in WebSphere Application Server V6.1

    Article: Exciting changes have been made to the SSL, certificate, and key management infrastructure in IBM WebSphere Application Server V6.1. This article touches on how these changes will improve security, provide management flexibility and simplification, and maintain a consistent SSL runtime that is tightly integrated with the new configuration.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0612_birk/0612_birk.html

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H. Problem determination

53. The Support Authority: A systematic approach to problem solving

    Article: Problem determination is not an exact science, but it's also not rocket science. A methodical approach will help your problem solving techniques become more organized, systematic, and, ultimately, more effective.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0806_supauth/0806_supauth.html

54. The Support Authority: 12 ways you can prepare for effective production troubleshooting

    Article: Rather than focus on what to do after a problem happens, here are 12 things you can do to your environment now to make troubleshooting quicker and more effective when problems do occur.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0708_supauth/0708_supauth.html

55. The Support Authority: Choosing the right WebSphere diagnostic tool

    Article: This article provides a quick reference guide to help you decide which of the most common WebSphere diagnostic tools to use at any given time, and some background information that provides a glimpse into how problem determination tools are developed.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0807_supauth/0807_supauth.html

56. The Support Authority: Collecting diagnostic information using the IBM Support Assistant

    Article: Learn about the functions in the IBM Support Assistant designed for collecting diagnostic information, how to install and configure them, and how to use them in practice.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0809_supauth/0809_supauth.html

57. The Support Authority: Welcome to Fix Central

    Article: Fix Central is the new, one-stop platform for distributing fixes and updates for IBM software. More than just a Web site, Fix Central features a simplified, consistent interface that makes finding what you need easier than ever. Find out how you can make the most of this new support tool.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0711_supauth/0711_supauth.html

58. Deploying and troubleshooting co-located applications within WebSphere Application Server

    Article: Deploying multiple collocated applications within a single instance of WebSphere Application Server provides valuable benefits in some environments, but it can also create some unique difficulties in the areas of problem isolation and problem determination. This article examines techniques and best practices for maintaining the advantages of application co-location, while reducing the impact of potential pitfalls.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0704_julin/0704_julin.html

59. The Support Authority: A developer's guide to WebSphere Application Server logging

    Article: Log messages and trace information can be critical, time-saving elements in the initial stages of problem diagnosis, and can often alleviate the need to recreate a problem in order to troubleshoot it. This article looks at the log and trace facilities in WebSphere Application Server, explains the difference between them, and describes how you can leverage them in your own applications.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0802_supauth/0802_supauth.html

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I. Performance and scalability

60. Performance Testing Protocol for WebSphere Application Server-based Applications

    Article: 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

61. The WebSphere Contrarian: Effectively leveraging virtualization with WebSphere Application Server

    Article: If you're planning on (or have already adopted) a virtualization strategy, a few simple practices can go a long way in avoiding conflicts between virtualization and IBM WebSphere Application Server.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0805_webcon/0805_webcon.html

62. Know Your Large Cache Options with WebSphere Application Server

    Article: Caching large amounts of application data doesn't always mandate the use of a 64-bit JDK in order to leverage 64-bit addressing. The ObjectGrid component of IBM WebSphere eXtreme Scale provides a 32-bit JDK alternative that you can use in your existing infrastructure without requiring additional physical memory on your servers.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0801_alcott/0801_alcott.html

63. What you want to know about HTTP session persistence

    Article: Looking for the right session persistence strategy? Here are answers to questions you might have that will help you find the best solution for your requirements.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0809_col_burckart/0809_col_burckart.html

64. The WebSphere Contrarian: Back to Basics: Session Failover

    Article: Are you using HttpSession the way you're supposed to? The Java Servlet API provides the HttpSession interface for session tracking and state management across multiple request invocations so servlets can associate a given user to a series of requests. But if you're experiencing poor database or network performance, or frequent garbage collections for your application servers, then you might be using HttpSession more like an application cache

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0810_webcon/0810_webcon.html

65. Build grid-ready apps with ObjectGrid: In-memory database easily scales across multiple physical machines

    Article: ObjectGrid is a part of the WebSphere Extended Development Data Grid offering, but you can you install it as a standalone package as well. Learn the basics of installing and using this in-memory database for your Java applications. You'll see how to set it up to use one or more machines, and then walk through a series of sample applications that demonstrate its capabilities.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/wes-dw-wes-objectgrid.html

66. IBM Extreme Transaction Processing (XTP) Patterns: Leveraging WebSphere Extreme Scale as an in-line database buffer

    Article: Learn how to optimize the performance of an application by leveraging WebSphere eXtreme Scale as the intermediary between the database and the application. This article provides an overview of the theory and implementation of the write-behind caching solution and JPA loader concepts. It then reviews an example business case coupled with sample code to demonstrate how to deploy these features.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0906_vuong/0906_vuong.html

67. IBM Extreme Transaction Processing (XTP) Patterns: Scalable and robust HTTP session management with WebSphere eXtreme Scale

    Article: This article shows you how to use WebSphere Extreme Scale as a separate in-memory data grid to store HTTP sessions. After describing existing software, the article shows how Extreme Scale addresses scalability challenges in a cost effective manner and simplifies the implementation of an Extreme Scale grid.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/library/techarticles/0905_gaur/0905_gaur.html

68. Integrating JPA and pureQuery: Leveraging DB2 static execution for the Java Persistence API

    Article: This article describes how you can optimize your WebSphere JPA based applications to use pureQuery, which is an IBM technology for optimized data access to IBM databases. WebSphere Application Server V7 delivers an enhancement to its implementation of the Java Persistence API (JPA) to enable optimization of data access to IBM DB2 data servers for enhanced security, and the potential to significantly reduce overhead for data access. The optimization is achieved by using a built-in integration between the WebSphere JPA and IBM Data Studio pureQuery Runtime to enable static SQL access -- all without changing application code or running extensive test cases. This article uses a sample JPA application and takes you through the steps of enabling static SQL using the JPA/pureQuery integration. It also includes the optional follow-on step of using pureQuery client optimization to capture additional queries during run time.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0812_wang/0812_wang.html

69. WebSphere Application Server V6 Scalability and Performance Handbook

    Redbook: A discussion of the various options for scaling applications based on IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V6. This book explores how a basic WebSphere configuration can be extended to provide more computing power by better leveraging the power of each machine and by using multiple machines.

    http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246392.html

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J. WebSphere DataPower Appliances

70. The (XML) threat is out there...

    Article: New technologies mean new types of attacks on systems and data. Knowing what kinds of attacks are possible is one step toward protect your environment from them. Another may be the implementation of a new type of hardware appliance like those available from DataPower.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0603_col_hines/0603_col_hines.html

71. Lookin' out my back door

    Article: If your front door is the only one that's locked, would you consider your home secure? Similarly, arming your application with only basic security measures is not enough to protect it from all possible intrusions. Here are some common "back door" security mistakes and precautions you can take to avoid them, inspired by a classic rock song.

    http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0804_col_hines/0804_col_hines.html

72. Offload WebSphere Web services security tasks to IBM WebSphere DataPower SOA Appliances

    Article series: This article series guides you through the process of integrating WebSphere DataPower SOA Appliances with WebSphere Application Server to improve your secure Web service installation.

    • Part 1: Configure a Web service client and service for asymmetric security

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/ws-offload/index.html

    • Part 2: Configuring a WebSphere DataPower SOA Appliance Web service proxy for WS-Security Asymmetric Security

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/webservices/library/ws-offloadDataPower/index.html

    • Part 3: Using WebSphere DataPower Policy Framework

      http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/webservices/library/ws-offloadpart3/index.html

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K. Maintenance

73. Recommended fixes for WebSphere Application Server

    Web site: A comprehensive list of recommended, generally available (GA) fixes for WebSphere Application Server releases. Pay close attention to the vulnerability fixes that can be found by following the security bulletin link from the recommended fixes by release.

    http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27004980

74. WebSphere product lifecycle dates

    Web site: Detailed information about the available IBM Software Support Lifecycle Policies to help you realize the full value of your IBM software products.

    http://www-01.ibm.com/software/websphere/support/lifecycle/

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Bill Hines, Russell Butek, Roland Barcia, Keys Botzum, Tom Alcott, and Alexandre Polozoff for their contributions.

Resources

• Documentation

  • IBM WebSphere Application Server Information Center (all versions)
  • IBM Rational Application Developer Information Center (all versions)
  • IBM WebSphere Redbooks

  Recommended retail books

  • Performance Analysis for Java Websites, Stacy Joines, Ruth Willenborg, Ken Hygh, 2002, Addison-Wesley, ISBN: 0201844540
  • Persistence in the Enterprise: A Guide to Persistence Technologies, Geoffrey Hambrick, Kyle Brown, Roland Barcia, Robert Peterson, Kulvir Bhogal, 2008, IBM Press, ISBN: 0131587560
  • Application Architecture for WebSphere: A Practical Approach to Building WebSphere Applications, Joey Bernal, 2008, IBM Press, ISBN: 0137129262
  • IBM WebSphere DataPower SOA Appliance Handbook, Bill Hines, John Rasmussen, Jaime Ryan, Simon Kapadia, Jim Brennan, 2009, IBM Press, ISBN: 0137148194
  • IBM WebSphere: Deployment and Advanced Configuration, Roland Barcia, Bill Hines, Tom Alcott, Keys Botzum, 2004, IBM Press, ISBN: 0131468626

  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
  • The Support Authority discusses resources, tools, and other elements of IBM Technical Support that are available for WebSphere products, plus techniques and new ideas that can further enhance your IBM support experience.

  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:

  • WebSphere Performance by Alexandre Polozoff
  • WebSphere and JEE /dev/websphere by Billy Newport
  • Web 2.0 and Middleware by Roland Barcia
  • WebSphere: Into the wild BLUE yonder! by Jerry Cuomo
  • WebSphere, SOA and JEE in Practice by Bobby Woolf
  • WebSphere Community
  • WebSphere and Messaging
  • WebSphere and Java Persistence

  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.
  • IBM Education Assistant Information Center
  • 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 Developer Technical Journal
  • The WebSphere Contrarian answers questions, provides guidance, and otherwise discusses fundamental topics related to the use of WebSphere products, often dispensing field-proven advice that contradicts prevailing wisdom.
  • Browse for books on these and other technical topics.
  
  

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Table of contents

• Introduction
• The list
• A. Fundamentals
• B. Architecture
• C. Administration
• D. Data integration
• E. Web services
• F. Application development
• G. Security
• H. Problem determination
• I. Performance and scalability
• J. WebSphere DataPower Appliances
• K. Maintenance
• Acknowledgements
• Resources
• About the author
• Comments

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• Briefing: Building SOA solutions and managing the service lifecycle
• Buy: WebSphere Application Server

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