3 Interoperability Between Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Components

The following sections describe interoperability scenarios to consider when you are using Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g components with other Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g components.

This chapter contains the following sections:

3.1 Oracle Web Services Interoperability

Web services are Web-based applications that use open, XML-based standards and transport protocols to exchange data with clients. Web services are developed using Java Technology APIs and tools provided by an integrated Web services category.

Oracle supports the following Web services categories, which are associated with specific Oracle Fusion Middleware products and components:

  • JAX-WS Web Services for Oracle WebLogic Serve

  • Web Services for ADF Business Components

  • Web Services for Oracle SOA Suite

  • Web Services for Oracle Service Bus 11g

These Oracle Web services categories support a variety of Web services message formats, capabilities, and security features. While this support varies from one category to another, all the Oracle Web services categories support the following standard features in the communication messages they send and receive:

  • Plain SOAP

  • WS-Security, With SSL

  • WS-Security, No SSL

As a result, if you develop Web services applications that support these types of Web services messages, then the services you create can be used interoperably with any of the Oracle Web services security categories.

For a more information about the supported WS-Security scenarios between the categories and information on how to configure Web services endpoints, refer to the Oracle Fusion Middleware Interoperability Guide for Oracle Web Services Manager.

For more information about each of the Oracle Web services categories, see the following sections:

3.1.1 JAX-WS Web Services for Oracle WebLogic Server

JAX-WS is designed to take the place of JAX-RPC in Web services and Web applications. To compare the features that are supported for JAX-WS and JAX-RPC, see "How Do I Choose Between JAX-WS and JAX-RPC?" in Oracle Fusion Middleware Introducing WebLogic Web Services for Oracle WebLogic Server. For information about migrating a JAX-RPC Web service to JAX-WS, "Migrating JAX-RPC Web Services and Clients to JAX-WS."

3.1.2 Web Services for ADF Business Components

ADF Business Components simplify the development, delivery, and customization of business applications for the Java EE platform by providing a library of reusable components and supporting design time facilities in Oracle JDeveloper.

For more information, see "Integrating Service-Enabled Application Modules" in Oracle Fusion Middleware Fusion Developer's Guide for Oracle Application Development Framework.

3.1.3 Web Services for Oracle SOA Suite

Oracle SOA composite applications include the SOA service components. SOA service components are the basic building blocks of SOA applications, implementing a part of the overall business logic functionality.

Note that you can deploy SOA service components to the Oracle Fusion Middleware environment. For more information about developing SOA service components, see Oracle Fusion Middleware Developer's Guide for Oracle SOA Suite.

3.1.4 Web Services for Oracle Service Bus 11g

Oracle Service Bus uses the underlying WebLogic security framework as building blocks for its security services. Specifically, the Oracle Service Bus uses the WebLogic Server JAX-RPC stack to implement its web services and that the WebLogic Server security framework is used for protecting these services.

For information about configuring and attaching policies, see "Using WS-Policy in Oracle Service Bus Proxy and Business Services" in Oracle Fusion Middleware Developer's Guide for Oracle Service Bus.

3.2 Oracle Identity Management Interoperability

This section describes Oracle Identity Management interoperability considerations:

3.2.1 Interoperability Between Oracle Identity Management and Other Oracle Fusion Middleware Products

Before you install new Oracle Identity Management components or configure your Oracle Fusion Middleware products to use Oracle Identity Management services, review:

  • The Oracle Fusion Middleware certification information to identify which Oracle Identity Management products are compatible with the Oracle Fusion Middleware products you are using. For more information, see Section 1.4.3, "Using Oracle Certification Matrices".

  • The information in this chapter, to be sure you are installing and configuring versions of the Oracle Fusion Middleware software that will be compatible with existing and future Oracle Fusion Middleware components.

Similarly, before you apply an Oracle Fusion Middleware patch set, review your current environment and verify that applying the patch set won't affect the interoperability between your Oracle Identity Management components and the Oracle Fusion Middleware products that depend on them. For more information, see Section 3.4, "Patch Set Interoperability".

3.2.2 Interoperability Between Oracle Identity Management Components and Oracle Identity and Access Management Components

Oracle offers two distinct identity management solutions:

These two identity management solutions are often updated independently, as illustrated in Table 3-1, which shows the availability of the Oracle Identity Management and Oracle Identity and Access Management software in recent 11g patch sets. A green check mark Green check mark indicates that the solution was updated for the release. A red "x" character Red "x" image indicates that the solution not updated for the release.

As a result, you should be aware of any interoperability issues between the available versions or patch sets of the Oracle Identity Management components and Oracle Identity and Access Management components.

In general, unless otherwise noted, you can use different versions of these solutions together, as long as they are not configured within the same domain. For more information, see Section 3.4.4, "Patch Set Interoperability Between Oracle Identity Management and Oracle Identity and Access Management".

Table 3-1 Summary of Oracle Identity Management Patch Set Releases and Oracle Identity and Access Management Patch Set Releases


Oracle Identity Management Availability Oracle Identity and Access Management Availability

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.2.0)

green check mark green check mark

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.3.0)

green check mark green check mark

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.4.0)

green check mark red "x" icon

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.5.0)

green check mark green check mark

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.6.0)

green check mark red "x" icon

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.7.0)

green check mark green check mark

3.2.3 Using Oracle HTTP Server 11g WebGates with Oracle Identity Management

Oracle HTTP Server WebGates integrate with Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g through the following:

Review the following Oracle Access Management (OAM) integration considerations:

  • If you are using a OAM 10g Release 3 (10.1.4.3) backend or server, then use OAM 10g Release 3 (10.1.4.3) versions of OHS 11g WebGates for integration with Oracle Fusion Middleware components.

  • If you are using OAM 11g Release 1 (11.1.1), then use OAM 11g Release 1 (11.1.1) versions of OHS 11gR1 webgates.

Note:

For more information about individual Oracle Fusion Middleware product details integrating with OAM, see the product-specific documentation.

For more information about certified versions, see the Oracle Identity Management certification matrix at: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/id-mgmt/identity-accessmgmt-11gr1certmatrix-161244.xls.

3.3 Middleware Home and Domain Interoperability

When installing multiple Oracle Fusion Middleware products in the same Middleware home, or when extending an existing domain with another Oracle Fusion Middleware product, there are certain interoperability and compatibility considerations.

Refer to the following sections for more information:

3.3.1 General Interoperability Rules When Installing Software or Extending a Domain

In general, except for the specific scenarios described in Table 3-2, you should ensure that all the Oracle Fusion Middleware products you install in a single Middleware home are of the same version.

Similarly, except for the specific scenarios in Table 3-2, you should ensure that the Oracle Fusion Middleware products you configure within a domain are of the same version.

Specifically for the Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.8.0), if you configure both Oracle WebCenter Portal and Oracle WebCenter Content within the same domain, then you should ensure that both products are at the same patch set level.

Note:

The guidelines described here assume you are installing Oracle Fusion Middleware with the version of Oracle WebLogic Server that was distributed or is certified with the Oracle Fusion Middleware product you are installing.

For more information, see Section 3.4.5, "Patch Set Interoperability with Oracle WebLogic Server".

Table 3-2 Scenarios Where Oracle Fusion Middleware Products of Different Versions Can Reside Within the Same Middleware Home or Domain

Product Can be installed in the same Middleware home or configured in the same domain with...

Oracle WebCenter Content 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.8.0)

Oracle SOA Suite 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.7.0)

Oracle WebCenter Portal 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.8.0)

Oracle SOA Suite 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.7.0)

The Oracle Identity Manager (component of Oracle Identity and Access Management) 11g Release 2 (11.1.2.0)

Oracle SOA Suite 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.5.0)

The Oracle Identity Manager (component of Oracle Identity and Access Management) 11g Release 2 (11.1.2.1)

Oracle SOA Suite 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.6.0)


3.3.2 Interoperability Within Specific Oracle Fusion Middleware Distributions

Some Oracle Fusion Middleware products are distributed with infrastructure components that are based on existing, earlier released Oracle Fusion Middleware software.

In particular, Table 3-3 lists the Oracle Fusion Middleware products that include and are based on previous versions of the Oracle JRF software. Oracle JRF represents the core Oracle Fusion Middleware infrastructure components, such as Oracle ADF, Fusion Middleware Control, and Metadata Services (MDS).

Table 3-3 Interoperability of Components Distributed with Specific Oracle Fusion Middleware Products

Product Distributed with the following existing Oracle Fusion Middleware components...

Oracle WebCenter Portal 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.8.0)

Oracle JRF 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.7.0)

Oracle WebCenter Content 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.8.0)

Oracle JRF 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.7.0)

Oracle Identity and Access Management 11g Release 2 (11.1.2.0)

Oracle JRF 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.5.0)

Oracle Identity and Access Management 11g Release 2 (11.1.2.1)

Oracle JRF 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.6.0)

Oracle Forms and Reports 11g Release 2 (11.1.2.0)

Oracle JRF 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.5.0)

Oracle Forms and Reports 11g Release 2 (11.1.2.1)

Oracle JRF 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.6.0)


3.3.3 Additional Domain Interoperability Scenarios

Table 3-4 describes additional domain interoperability scenarios to consider.

Table 3-4 Additional Domain Extension Interoperability Scenarios

Scenario Description Solution

Extending a domain with a WebLogic SIP Server

SIP servers cannot be collocated in an existing Fusion Middleware domain.

When extending an existing Fusion Middleware domain deselect the Basic WebLogic SIP Server Domain.

Extending a domain with Oracle Portal, Forms, Reports, and BI Discoverer

Oracle Portal, Forms, Reports, and BI Discoverer should not be collocated with other Oracle Fusion Middleware components

Create a separate domain for Portal, Forms, Reports and Business Intelligence Discoverer.

Extending an Oracle Identity Management domain

Oracle Identity Management does not currently support sharing a domain with any of the other products.

Do not extend an Oracle Identity Management domain with any other Oracle Fusion Middleware components except for those in the SOA Suite.


3.4 Patch Set Interoperability

This section describes some general interoperability guidelines and considerations when you are applying an Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1) patch set to an existing Oracle Fusion Middleware environment.

This section contains the following topics:

3.4.1 Installing Different Patch Sets Within the Same Middleware Home

When you are applying an Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1) patch set, ensure that all the products within the selected Middleware home are supported by the patch set.

Follow the general rules and exceptions described in Section 3.3, "Middleware Home and Domain Interoperability" when applying a patch to a Middleware home that contains multiple Oracle Fusion Middleware product Oracle homes.

3.4.2 Installing Different Patch Sets Within a Single Domain

When you configure a domain, follow the general rules in Section 3.3, "Middleware Home and Domain Interoperability" when configuring multiple Oracle Fusion Middleware products within the same domain.

3.4.3 Patch Set Interoperability Between Oracle Identity Management and Other Oracle Fusion Middleware Products

Oracle often releases Oracle Identity Management products on a schedule different from the schedule for the other Oracle Fusion Middleware products. As a result, it is common to use a different release or patch set of an Oracle Identity Management product with your Oracle Fusion Middleware products, as long as they are not configured within the same domain.

For example, you can use Oracle Identity and Access Management 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.5.0) products with your Oracle SOA Suite 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.6.0) products, if they are in separate domains. In these scenarios, the Oracle Identity Management products are typically installed on a separate host and in a separate Middleware home.

For complete information about the supported Oracle Identity Management patch sets and versions you can use with your other Oracle Fusion Middleware products, refer to the certification information on the Oracle Technology Network (OTN). For more information, see Section 1.4.3, "Using Oracle Certification Matrices".

3.4.4 Patch Set Interoperability Between Oracle Identity Management and Oracle Identity and Access Management

You can configure an Oracle Fusion Middleware environment where Oracle Identity Management and Oracle Identity and Access Management components are at different patch sets, as long as the products are not configured within the same domain.

Do not attempt to configure a single domain that contains Oracle Identity Management components at one patch set and Oracle Identity and Access Management components at another.

For example, Oracle does not support the configuration of a domain that contains Oracle Identity Management 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.6.0) components and Oracle Identity and Access Management 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.5.0) components.

Further, if you have an existing domain that contains both Oracle Identity Management components and Oracle Identity and Access Management components, do not apply a patch set unless you can apply the patch set to both the Oracle Identity Management components and Oracle Identity and Access Management components.

For more information about Oracle Identity Management and Oracle Identity and Access Management interoperability, see Section 3.2.2, "Interoperability Between Oracle Identity Management Components and Oracle Identity and Access Management Components".

3.4.5 Patch Set Interoperability with Oracle WebLogic Server

Each version and patch set of Oracle Fusion Middleware is certified with a specific release of Oracle WebLogic Server. Create domains for a specific Oracle Fusion Middleware product release only with the certified version of Oracle WebLogic Server. Table 3-5 provides a summary of the WebLogic Server versions that are supported by each Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g patch set.

Note:

As of Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.8.0), only Oracle WebLogic Server 10.3.6 is certified to work with Oracle Fusion Middleware. If you are currently running a WebLogic Server version 10.3.5 (or lower), you must upgrade to version 10.3.6 before you can install and configure Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.8.0).

For information on the new features available in Oracle WebLogic Server 11g (10.3.6), see Oracle Fusion Middleware What's New in Oracle WebLogic Server.

Table 3-5 Summary of Oracle WebLogic Server Versions Supported by Each Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Patch Set

Oracle Fusion Middleware Version Oracle WebLogic Server Version

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.2.0)

10.3.2

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.3.0)

10.3.3

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.4.0)

10.3.4

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.5.0)

10.3.5

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.6.0)

10.3.5 or 10.3.6

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.7.0)

10.3.5 or 10.3.6

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.8.0)

10.3.6