Chapter 7 Connector Resources

This chapter explains how to configure connectors, which are used to access enterprise information systems (EISs). This chapter contains the following sections:

• An Overview of Connectors

• Managing Connector Connection Pools

• Managing Connector Resources

• Managing Administered Object Resources

An Overview of Connectors

Also called a resource adapter, a connector module is a Java EE component that enables applications to interact with enterprise information systems (EISs). EIS software includes various types of systems: enterprise resource planning (ERP), mainframe transaction processing, and non-relational databases, among others. Like other Java EE modules, to install a connector module you deploy it.

A connector connection pool is a group of reusable connections for a particular EIS. To create a connector connection pool, specify the connector module (resource adapter) that is associated with the pool.

A connector resource is a program object that provides an application with a connection to an EIS. To create a connector resource, specify its JNDI name and its associated connection pool. Multiple connector resources can specify a single connection pool. The application locates the resource by looking up its JNDI name. (For more information on JNDI, see the section JNDI Names and Resources.) The JNDI name of a connector resource for an EIS is usually in the java:comp/env/eis-specific subcontext.

The Application Server implements JMS by using a connector module (resource adapter). See the section, The Relationship Between JMS Resources and Connector Resources.

Managing Connector Connection Pools

To create, edit, and delete Connector Connection Pools, click Resources —> Connector Connection Pools in the Admin Console. Consult the Admin Console Online Help for detailed instructions on managing connector connection pools.

To Set Up EIS Access

1. Deploy (install) a connector. Consult the Admin Console Online Help for detailed instructions on deploing a connector.

2. Create a connection pool for the connector.

3. Create a connector resource that is associated with the connection pool.

Managing Connector Resources

To create, edit, and delete Connector Resources, click Resources —> Connectors —> Connector Resources in the Admin Console. Consult the Admin Console Online Help for detailed instructions on managing connector resources .

Managing Administered Object Resources

Packaged within a resource adapter (connector module), an administered object provides specialized functionality for an application. For example, an administered object might provide access to a parser that is specific to the resource adapter and its associated EIS. The object can be administered; that is, it can be configured by an administrator. To configure the object, add name-value property pairs in the Create or Edit Admin Object Resource pages. When creating an administered object resource, associate the administered object to a JNDI name.

To create, edit, and delete Object Resources , click Resources —> Administered Object Resources in the Admin Console. Consult the Admin Console Online Help for detailed instructions on managing object resources .