| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Going “All In” with WebLogic Server 11g
Tony Brimeyer, Application Developer
With the acquisition of BEA Systems in 2008, Oracle cemented its position as the industry-leading middleware provider. Oracle shuffled the deck again in the second half of 2009, when it launched its newest application server release, Oracle WebLogic Server 11g. As the foundation for Oracle’s entire middleware stack, WebLogic 11g has definite benefits. Below are the benefits of and considerations for going “all in” with Oracle’s WebLogic Server 11g.
When contemplating an upgrade to WebLogic Server 11g, you should consider what makes it more like an ace of spades versus a two of hearts. WebLogic Server 11g is game changing because it delivers new features that improve performance and lower overall operating costs. Oracle JRockit JVM, the engine behind 11g, has been benchmarked as the world's fastest JVM. Customers using JRockit have experienced significant gains in performance and reduced hardware costs. WebLogic Server also comes packaged with its own administration console, a built-in application for monitoring and providing simple access to all server functions. In addition to these GUI tools, the product also offers a command line alternative in Oracle WebLogic Scripting Tool.
Additional features make WebLogic Server 11g a developer’s ace in the hole since creating and deploying applications and web services has never been easier. WebLogic Server supports the latest version of the J2EE specification and web service standards, all while providing deep integration between both JDeveloper and Eclipse development environments. Using its FastSwap feature, WebLogic Server also allows rapid deployment without interrupting the operation of your application, providing a deployment without application downtime. As development trends move toward Rich Internet Applications featuring AJAX, WebLogic Server comes packaged with an HTTP Publish/Subscribe server to expand the boundaries of your organization’s AJAX capabilities.
Now, before you go all in with WebLogic Server 11g, you must consider more than just the cards in your hand. Sure there’s your ace, WebLogic 11g, but what about the cards in the flop, your current environment? When evaluating the features of WebLogic Server 11g and deciding if you’ll benefit from upgrading to the latest server release, you should assess your current environments and plan the upgrade accordingly. Oracle provides some great documentation on the technical differences between WebLogic Server and its former OC4J-based application server, and knowing these differences is important for understanding and leveraging WebLogic Server’s strengths. Especially in environments where high availability and advanced load balancing is a concern, an effective application server environment can be a complicated one.
Along with your environments, you can’t go all in on WebLogic 11g without considering your existing custom J2EE applications. With the change in environments also comes a change in application configuration. Fortunately, Oracle has developed its WebLogic SmartUpgrade tool to simplify the upgrade of custom applications to WebLogic Server. Recent releases of WebLogic Server also come packaged with the Upgrade Guide for Java EE that provides a guide of the work needed to upgrade existing custom OC4J applications. Both the SmartUpgrade tool and the Upgrade Guide for Java EE when used in conjunction with industry best practices allow existing OAS customers to experience a seamless upgrade experience.
You’ve seen what an “ace” WebLogic Server 11g is and you know to consider your current environments and applications when contemplating a WebLogic Server upgrade. If you’re still not sure that going “all in” with WebLogic Server 11g is the right choice for you, contact Zirous. Our team has already helped several clients evaluate and implement WebLogic Server 11g upgrades, so call us to help you take full advantage of WebLogic Server 11g’s performance, reliability and functional benefits.
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
