WSO2 Web Services Application Server 2.0 Sets New Standards in Simplifying Web Services

July 17, 2007; 03:24 AM
WSO2, the open source middleware company, announced today version 2.0 of the WSO2 Web Services Application Server (WSAS), which sets new standards for simplifying the delivery of Web services. WSAS 2.0 features the first data services to easily tap relational databases for mashups, Eclipse integration to let developers work directly in the IDE, and the first clustering available on a Web services server. WSAS 2.0 also allows Enterprise Java Beans (EJBs) to be exposed as Web services, offers backward compatibility for Apache Axis1, and extends security through support for the Web services (WS-*) security stack and XML Key Management Specification (XKMS).

Version 2.0 builds on the proven performance of WSO2 WSAS, the first application server to support the full XML-based WS-* stack and REST in a simple, clean, lightweight model that makes it easier to develop, deploy, manage, and monitor Web services. The completely open source, openly developed WSAS 2.0 is based on Apache Axis2, one of the world’s fastest Java Web services engines, and features a lightweight Ajax administration console to simplify configuration and management. With more than 3000 transactions per second on a dual-core system, the highly tuned WSAS 2.0 runs four to five times faster than Axis1.

“As enterprises accelerate their development of service-oriented architectures, they’re increasingly turning to open source middleware that provides the flexibility to choose the solutions that best suit their SOA needs — today and in the future,” said Sanjiva Weerawarana, CEO of WSO2. “With version 2.0, we’re delivering a mature, enterprise-class platform that significantly extends the ability to leverage existing corporate data and development tools, scalability to meet large-scale deployments, and Web security for trusted Web-based interactions.”

Key features of the WSO2 WSAS 2.0 include:

• Data services allow developers to expose data stored in relational databases in minutes via a Web services API — without programming. An XML response is generated using database data, making it fast and easy to include this data in Web mashups. Developers can deploy the data service configuration file directly or create a service using the UI wizard. WSAS 2.0 lets users take full advantage of the WS-* security stack to ensure data security.
• Eclipse integration cuts the time to develop, deploy and debug Web services. It lets developers and administrators work in the familiar Eclipse environment, eliminating the need to have a deep understanding of the underlying Axis2 Web services. Wizard-based flows make it possible to automate most manual work.
• Clustering and high availability are enabled by the most comprehensive open source management offering available. Configuration management for handling clusters of nodes includes load configuration, a deploy/undeploy service and functions for updating policies. WSAS 2.0 also features state replication for high availability, along with load balancing and failover.
• Extended security with WSAS 2.0 includes full support for WS-Security, WS-Trust, WS-Policy and WS Conversation. Additionally XKMS support provides another means for developers to secure Web-based communications using public key infrastructure (PKI). An API is available for constructing XKMS messages based on the client side’s required service. Services are provided by XKMS service, which also handles the state space for protocol exchange.
• EJB support makes it possible expose EJBs as Web services. Developers can invoke operations on EJBs deployed on a remote J2EE application server (AS), use a graphical wizard to capture J2EE AS configuration details, and connect to J2EE AS using Java Naming Provider. Developers also can upload EJB Remote and Home interfaces from the wizard and deploy a Web service exposing EJB methods.
• Axis1 backward compatibility allows enterprises to easily deploy any Apache Axis1-based Web service into WSAS 2.0 in order to engage advanced WS-* services, such as WS-RM and WS-Policy in front of their legacy services. In doing so, developers gain state-of-the-art WS-* functionality without having to rewrite their existing services.

“In building SOAs, enterprises want to leverage their existing and vast investments in application development and management of corporate data,” said Ronald Schmelzer, senior analyst and founder of ZapThink, LLC, an SOA-focused analysis and advisory firm. “By simplifying the ability to deliver Web Services based on Eclipse and EJBs, as well as capture relational data, Version 2 of WSO2’s WSAS helps to advance the industry forward in facilitating broader SOA adoption.”

Availability and Support

The WSO2 Web Services Application Server 2.0 begins general availability this week. It can run as a standalone system or on top of an existing application server. As a fully open source solution, the WSAS 2.0 does not carry any software licensing fees.

WSO2 offers a range of service and support options for the WSO2 WSAS 2.0. These include consulting, custom development, and sponsorship of open source feature development; development and production support; and training. For information on service and support fees, visit www.wso2.com. Additionally, the WSO2 Oxygen Tank (www.wso2.org) is an open developer portal that provides in-depth product information, tutorials, tools, forums, wikis and more.

About WSO2

WSO2 is an open source middleware company founded by pioneers in Web services and of members of the Apache Software Foundation Web services community. The company is delivering a new, entirely open source middleware stack that is optimized for Web services and SOA and built on Apache Axis2. The company’s first products are the WSO2 Web Services Application Server (WSAS) and WSO2 Enterprise Service Bus (ESB), which are built on the WSO2 Web Services Framework. The company is backed by Intel Capital and maintains operations in the United States, United Kingdom and Sri Lanka.