This figure shows the communication flow for outbound communication, as follows:

1. From the J2EE component to the resource adapter

2. From the resource adapter to the EIS

3. From the EIS back to the resource adapter

4. From the resource adapter back to the J2EE component

The EIS is depicted as being outside OC4J; everything else is inside OC4J.

The figure also shows the roles of the relevant system contracts, as follows:

• Communication between the resource adapter and J2EE component is through the connection management, transaction management, and security contracts.

• The lifecycle of the resource adapter (starts and stops) is governed by the lifecycle contract.