oracle.com
GlassFish Server 3.1

# Features and Resources

GlassFish Server 3.1 provides a server for the development and deployment of Java™ Platform Enterprise Edition (Java EE) applications and Java Web Services. Key features include modularity and extensibility, Java EE support, rapid iterative development, Web Services Interoperability Technologies (WSIT) support, high performance web services, clustering, high availability, security, and integration capabilities.

This page contains the following topics:

- Key Features
- Resources

## Key Features

### Modularity and Extensibility

The modular architecture of the GlassFish Server is based on OSGi Alliance standards and ensures that GlassFish Server starts only the modules that are required for the applications that you are deploying. As a result, start-up times and memory consumption, are minimized.

The modular architecture of GlassFish Server also enables the extension of the GlassFish Server's basic functionality through addition of components through the Update Tool. The Update Tool is developed through the Update Center project.

### Java EE Support

GlassFish Server complies fully with the latest Java EE specification to deliver one of the best application runtimes for next-generation enterprise applications and web services. The 3.1 release of GlassFish Server implements the following Java EE standards:

- Enterprise Java Beans 3.1
- Contexts and Dependency Injection for Java EE 1.0
- Java Architecture for XML Binding (JAXB) 2.2
- Java Persistence API 2.0
- Java Server Faces 2.0
- Java Server Pages 2.1 (JSP 2.1)
- Java Server Pages Standard Tag Library (JSTL) 2.2
- Java Servlet 3.0
- Java API for RESTful Web Services (JAX-RS)
- Java EE Connector Architecture 1.6
- Bean Validation
- Streaming API for XML (StAX)
- Java API for XML based Web Services 2.1 (JAX-WS 2.1)
- Common Annotations for the Java Platform 1.0 (CAJ 1.0)

For a complete list of the Java EE technologies included, see the Release Notes.

### Rapid Iterative Development

Using popular IDEs such as NetBeans and Eclipse, the web application development cycle is simplified to edit-save-refresh browser. GlassFish Server enables such a simple development cycle by preserving HTTP session information when an existing application is redeployed.

### Web Services Interoperability Technologies (WSIT) Support

WSIT is a product of a joint effort with Microsoft to ensure interoperability of web services enterprise technologies such as message optimization, reliable messaging, and security. WSIT is an implementation of a number of open web services specifications to support enterprise features. In addition to message optimization, reliable messaging, and security, WSIT includes a bootstrapping and configuration technology. Starting with the core XML support currently built into the Java platform, WSIT uses or extends existing features and adds new support for interoperable web services, including:

- Bootstrapping and Configuration
- Message Optimization Technology
- Reliable Messaging Technology
- Security Technology

WSIT is delivered as part of the Metro web service stack.

### High Availability Clusters

GlassFish Server enables multiple GlassFish Server instances to be clustered to provide high availability through failover and load balancing. The clustering framework of GlassFish Server is developed through the GlassFish Shoal project.

### In-Memory Replication Support

GlassFish Server uses in-memory replication on other servers for high availability storage of HTTP session and stateful session bean data. Each backup instance stores the replicated data in memory. Replication of session state data in memory on other servers enables sessions to be distributed. The use of in-memory replication requires the Group Management Service (GMS) to be enabled.

### Open Source and GlassFish Community

In June 2005, Sun launched the GlassFish community with the goal of developing an open source, commercial-grade application server that implements the newest features of the Java EE platform and related enterprise technologies. GlassFish Server is based on the source code that is developed within the GlassFish community.

Discussion within the GlassFish community is conducted through the following channels:

- Forums for the GlassFish community
- Mailing lists for GlassFish community

## Resources

### GlassFish Community

GlassFish Server is based on the source code that is developed through the GlassFish open source project and community. The GlassFish community is building an open source application server which implements the newest features in the Java EE platform.

### Java Enterprise Community

Part of java.net, the Java Enterprise Community is centered around Java EE applications, components, and tools.

### Oracle Forums

The Oracle Forums are interactive message boards for sharing knowledge and questions about technologies and programming techniques. Use the Application & Integration Servers forum for discussions related to the GlassFish Server.

### Oracle Support

Oracle Support contracts for Oracle GlassFish Server, the commercially available counterpart of GlassFish Server Open Source Edition, are available for purchase.

### Sun Developer Network

For further help and to keep on top of the latest developments, join the Sun Developer Network.

### Release Notes and Product Documentation

The Release Notes, Installation Guide, and other product documentation are available in the Oracle GlassFish Server 3.0.1 collection on the docs.sun.com site.