Enterprise Server Modular Architecture and Add-On Components

Enterprise Server has a modular architecture in which the features of Enterprise Server are provided by a consistent set of components that interact with each other. Each component provides a small set of functionally related features.

The modular architecture of Enterprise Server enables users to download and install only the components that are required for the applications that are being deployed. As a result, start-up times, memory consumption, and disk space requirements are all minimized.

The modular architecture of Enterprise Server enables you to extend the basic functionality of Enterprise Server by developing add-on components. An add-on component is an encapsulated definition of reusable code that has the following characteristics:

• The component provides a set of Java classes.

• The component offers services and public interfaces.

• The component implements the public interfaces with a set of private classes.

• The component depends on other components.

Add-on components that you develop interact with Enterprise Server in the same way as components that are supplied in Enterprise Server distributions.

You can create and offer new or updated add-on components at any time. Enterprise Server administrators can install add-on components and update or remove installed components after Enterprise Server is installed. For more information, see Chapter 10, Extending Enterprise Server, in Sun GlassFish Enterprise Server v3 Administration Guide.