Client Provisioning

JSR 124, the Java EE Client Provisioning Specification, provides a framework and APIs for making client applications available on a Java EE server. Sun GlassFish Mobility Platform supports provisioning for client applications through its Administration Console. It provides a provisioning portal that offers the following features:

• Content Management - The provisioning portal manages the content repository and supports content versioning, a mechanism for administrators to upload applications, and the ability to search for applications.

• Content Discovery - The portal provides the user with a list of the available content and applications.

• Application retrieval and installation - Downloading the application is a two-part operation, handled by the application management system (AMS), the software in the device that manages the download, installation, execution, and removal of applications and other resources on the device. If an application description (in the form of a JAD file) exists, the AMS downloads it from the provisioning server's repository. Based on information found in the downloaded application descriptor, the AMS automatically downloads the application (the MIDlet suite JAR) from the repository. If required, the user is re-authenticated. If the application is retrieved successfully, installation is automatic.

• Tracking - Download status can be used to track the use of the application.