What is WebSphere Application Server?

WebSphere Application Server (WAS) is a software product that performs the role of a web application server. It is a part of the IBM WebSphere software suite, which offers a range of products and services for developing, deploying, and managing enterprise applications. WAS is designed to support Java-based web applications, as well as other types of applications that use open standards such as XML and Web Services.

Features and Benefits of WAS

WAS provides a flexible, secure, and reliable runtime environment for enterprise applications. Some of the features and benefits of WAS are:

Java EE and MicroProfile support: WAS supports the latest versions of Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) and MicroProfile specifications, which define a set of APIs and features for developing and running enterprise applications. Java EE and MicroProfile enable developers to use various technologies such as servlets, JavaServer Pages (JSP), Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB), Java Persistence API (JPA), Java Message Service (JMS), Contexts and Dependency Injection (CDI), and more. WAS also supports Jakarta EE, which is the successor of Java EE.
Cloud-native and hybrid capabilities: WAS enables developers to create cloud-native applications that can run on various cloud platforms, such as IBM Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and more. WAS also supports hybrid scenarios, where applications can run on both on-premises and cloud environments, and leverage the benefits of both. WAS offers a range of tools and services for developing, deploying, and managing cloud-native and hybrid applications, such as IBM WebSphere Hybrid Edition, IBM Cloud Pak for Applications, IBM Cloud Code Engine, and more.
Scalability and performance: WAS can scale up and down to meet the changing demands of the applications and the users. WAS can run on multiple operating system instances, which are collectively referred to as a WebSphere cell. A WebSphere cell can consist of one or more nodes, which are logical groupings of servers. A node can have one or more server instances, which are the actual processes that run the applications. WAS provides a centralized management console, called the Deployment Manager, which can control and monitor the configuration and status of the entire cell. WAS also provides various features and tools to optimize the performance of the applications, such as caching, load balancing, clustering, and tuning.
Security and compliance: WAS provides a comprehensive and robust security framework for protecting the applications and the data. WAS supports various security standards and protocols, such as SSL/TLS, HTTPS, OAuth, OpenID Connect, SAML, Kerberos, and more. WAS also provides various security mechanisms, such as authentication, authorization, encryption, auditing, and single sign-on (SSO). WAS also helps the applications to comply with various regulations and policies, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and more.
Integration and interoperability: WAS enables the applications to integrate and interoperate with other applications and systems, both within and outside the enterprise. WAS supports various integration technologies and standards, such as Web Services, RESTful APIs, SOAP, JSON, XML, JAX-RS, JAX-WS, and more. WAS also provides various connectors and adapters, which enable the applications to communicate with various data sources and enterprise systems, such as databases, messaging systems, ERP systems, CRM systems, and more.

Versions and Editions of WAS

WAS has been evolving and improving since its first release in 1998. The current stable version of WAS is 9.0, which was released in 2016. WAS 9.0 supports Java EE 7 and MicroProfile 1.2 specifications, as well as Jakarta EE 8. WAS 9.0 also introduces various enhancements and features, such as WebSphere Liberty, WebSphere Developer Tools, WebSphere Migration Toolkit, and more.

WAS is available in different editions, which cater to different needs and requirements of the customers. Some of the editions of WAS are:

WebSphere Application Server Base: This is the basic edition of WAS, which provides the core functionality and features of a web application server. It supports Java EE 7 and MicroProfile 1.2 specifications, and can run on various platforms, such as Windows, Linux, AIX, Solaris, HP-UX, z/OS, and IBM i. It can also run on various cloud platforms, such as IBM Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and more. This edition is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, or for development and testing purposes.
WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment: This is an advanced edition of WAS, which provides additional functionality and features for deploying and managing large-scale and complex applications. It supports all the features of the Base edition, and also provides features such as clustering, failover, load balancing, edge components, intelligent management, and more. This edition is suitable for large and mission-critical enterprises, or for production and high-availability purposes.
WebSphere Application Server Liberty: This is a lightweight and modular edition of WAS, which provides a fast and flexible runtime environment for cloud-native and microservices applications. It supports Java EE 7 and MicroProfile 1.2 specifications, as well as Jakarta EE 8. It also supports various additional features, such as Spring Boot, Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, and more. This edition is suitable for agile and innovative enterprises, or for modern and dynamic applications.
WebSphere Application Server for z/OS: This is a specialized edition of WAS, which provides a high-performance and secure runtime environment for applications running on IBM z/OS systems. It supports all the features of the Network Deployment edition, and also provides features such as workload management, transaction management, batch processing, data access, and more. This edition is suitable for enterprises that use IBM z/OS systems, or for applications that require high performance, security, and reliability.

Conclusion

WebSphere Application Server is a software product that performs the role of a web application server. It is a part of the IBM WebSphere software suite, which offers a range of products and services for developing, deploying, and managing enterprise applications. WAS is designed to support Java-based web applications, as well as other types of applications that use open standards such as XML and Web Services. WAS provides a flexible, secure, and reliable runtime environment for enterprise applications, and offers various features and benefits, such as Java EE and MicroProfile support, cloud-native and hybrid capabilities, scalability and performance, security and compliance, integration and interoperability, and more. WAS is available in different versions and editions, which cater to different needs and requirements of the customers. WAS is one of the most widely used and trusted web application servers in the market, and has been helping enterprises to achieve their business goals and objectives for over two decades.

What is WebSphere Application Server?