Perspective IBM WebSphere Middleware Platform

Start understanding WebSphere from Application Server

Prior to this, the author's knowledge of IBM WebSphere software was limited to an application server (application server) software, a full-featured Web integration development environment for professionals. The understanding of the application server is starting from the three-tier middleware.

We know that in the previous client/server architecture, clients are directly connected to the server point-to-point, so the processing performance is low and management is complex. Once the new business appears, you must rewrite the application, which means that the system is extremely scalable, and because the client accesses the database directly, exposing the database structure exposes the security of the system is difficult to protect. In addition, the two-tier client/server architecture is typically LAN-centric and difficult to extend to the Internet. In order to overcome the defects of the two-tier client/server structure, people split the business logic from the original client to the back-end server, while the front-end client focused on the presentation logic of the business, such as the design of the interface, the , etc. As a result, the front-end client will not directly access the database, but by the backend server business logic management, the back-end server centralized processing with the underlying database operations. We also call the back-end server the application server.

The role of the application server, in addition to managing the communication between the client request and the database, has the ability to cross the system platform (database, operating system). Therefore, based on application server system development of a variety of customer applications, you can completely regardless of low-level database and operating system, to achieve cross-platform development. In other words, the application server is used to isolate the applications from the system effectively. In addition, the application server can dynamically balance the load, so that the system can play to the highest level, and ensure the consistency of the client and server-side data.

IBM's WebSphere Application server, based on the Java and servlet engine, supports a variety of HTTP services, enabling IBM AIX v 4.1.5 and later, Microsoft NT4.0, and Sun Solaris v2.5.1 SPARC operating system. WebSphere also includes project management, Java servlet code generator, HTML authoring tools, various script authoring tools, and Java code (beans and Servlets) development tools to help users complete the development, Publish to all work that maintains an interactive dynamic web site.

Rise from application server to platform

The author participated in this press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, revealed the most important thing is IBM for WebSphere software to reorganize, so that it from the original network application Server software up, developed into a complete set of End-to-end E-commerce software system platform.

Since as a development platform, WebSphere is not only the integration of Application Server middleware technology, but also contains a large number of E-commerce applications, network development and management Services system. To this end, WebSphere launched the Foundation, the foundation expansion and the application acceleration and so on three level products for different types of enterprises in the implementation of E-commerce process of different needs.

WebSphere Foundation (WebSphere Foundation)

It includes application servers and MQSeries Business integration software, providing basic e-business capabilities from transaction processing to extended back-end business data and applications. This includes WebSphere Personal Edition (personalization) and WebSphere Portal Server (Portal servers) and integrates WebSphere transcoding Publisher, The IBM Enterprise Information portal and the WebSphere Mobile Suite (Everyplace Suite), which provide the basis for e-business applications.

WebSphere Base Extension

It includes the WebSphere everyplace Suite, WebSphere transcoding Publisher, which extends capabilities to mobile computer devices. It also includes the latest IBM development and placement services tools, such as WebSphere Edge Server version 1.0 for creating high-performance Web sites, site Analytics Tools WebSphere Site Analyzer 3.5, Set up a toolset for dynamic network applications WebSphere Studio3.5 version, the latest Java integrated development environment VisualAge for Java3.5 Edition, with WebSphere RAD capabilities, developers can get components directly from programs and build enterprise JavaBeans applies visual Age Generator version 4.5, and does not require additional programming to incorporate host data into a single Web page and quickly extend host applications to WebSphere host on the network The Publisher2.2 version (Standard Edition includes WebSphere Application Server, new version adds WebSphere Studio), and so on. Prior to this, IBM also released the WebSphere Voice server, the industry's first network development tool using ViaVoice technology (voice technology).

WebSphere Application Acceleration

It integrates tools such as Lotus Domino, WebSphere Commerce Suite, and WebSphere B to B Integrator, enabling enterprises to take full advantage of new technologies, respond quickly to business requirements, hold business opportunities, and enhance their competitive edge. These solutions involve areas such as collaboration, E-commerce, and B to B integration that not only preserve, integrate legacy applications and data, but also integrate new e-business technologies and extend them to the network.

Not a simple product backlog

From the application server to the rise of E-commerce development platform, WebSphere is not a simple product packaging, but embodies the development of IBM software strategy. For users in the realization of e-commerce process in different stages, provide targeted product tools to reduce the pressure of technology developers. As a platform, WebSphere will enable users to focus on the development of the application system, which has the ability to cross the operating system and cross the database.

Through this integration, IBM software strategy is becoming clearer, forming a database product with DB2 as its core, e-commerce development platform with WebSphere as its core, and Lotus domino/notes as the core information infrastructure platform. And the Tivoli software as the core management platform of the four Products line series, can meet the needs of all stages of e-commerce.