The JBoss Server, officially known as JBoss Application Server (JBoss AS), is an open-source Java EE-based application server developed by the JBoss community. It was widely used for deploying, running, and managing enterprise Java applications. As of version 8, JBoss AS was rebranded as WildFly, continuing its legacy as a modular and lightweight server, but with significant enhancements.
JBoss is now WildFly. See all ressources about WildFly here.
Category: Application Server
Java EE/Jakarta EE Compliance
- JBoss AS (now WildFly) implements full Java EE (Enterprise Edition) standards, making it suitable for running large-scale enterprise Java applications. As the Java EE ecosystem transitioned to Jakarta EE, WildFly also supports this newer standard.
- It supports technologies such as Enterprise Java Beans (EJB), JavaServer Pages (JSP), Java Servlets, Java Messaging Service (JMS), Java Persistence API (JPA), and more.
Modular Architecture
- JBoss AS introduced a modular class-loading architecture. Unlike older monolithic Java EE servers, JBoss AS/WildFly only loads the modules necessary for the application, reducing memory consumption and improving startup time.
- The modular design allows users to extend the server’s functionality with additional components as needed.
Management Console and CLI
- JBoss AS offers both a web-based administrative console and a command-line interface (CLI) to manage configurations, monitor server health, and deploy applications.
- The management console is user-friendly and provides powerful tools for server configuration, application deployment, and monitoring.
Domain Mode
- JBoss AS supports domain mode, allowing multiple JBoss instances to be managed centrally. This is useful in large, complex environments where several servers need to be controlled from a single point.
- In domain mode, you can centrally manage and deploy applications across multiple instances.
High Availability and Clustering
- JBoss AS supports clustering, load balancing, and failover to ensure high availability (HA) of applications.
- With clustering, it is possible to distribute the load across multiple instances, thus providing scalability and fault tolerance.
Deployment Options
- JBoss AS supports various deployment strategies such as hot deployment, where applications can be redeployed without restarting the server.
- It also supports deploying applications using WAR, EAR, and JAR files, making it easy to manage different types of Java applications.
Security Features
- JBoss AS provides robust security features, including authentication and authorization mechanisms, SSL/TLS support, and integration with LDAP, JAAS, and other security protocols.
- It supports role-based access control (RBAC) and can be integrated with third-party security systems.
Support for Microservices
- Although initially focused on monolithic enterprise applications, JBoss AS (now WildFly) has evolved to support microservices architectures with MicroProfile integration.
- MicroProfile is a set of APIs that build on Java EE to optimize the development of microservices, offering features like metrics, health checks, and fault tolerance.
Performance and Scalability
- JBoss AS is designed for high-performance applications. Its modularity, efficient resource management, and tuning options allow it to scale vertically (within a single server) or horizontally (across multiple servers).
- It is optimized for both development environments (with fast startup times) and large-scale production systems.
Cloud and Container Support
- JBoss AS/WildFly is cloud-ready, and it integrates well with modern cloud platforms such as Kubernetes, OpenShift, and Docker.
- Its lightweight design makes it a good fit for containerized environments, where fast startup times and efficient memory use are critical.
¶ Key Differences Between JBoss AS (WildFly) and JBoss EAP
- JBoss AS (WildFly): The community edition is open-source and cutting-edge, with the latest features but no guaranteed stability or support.
- JBoss EAP (Enterprise Application Platform): The enterprise edition, maintained by Red Hat, comes with long-term support, bug fixes, security patches, and certifications for production environments.
- Enterprise Applications: JBoss AS is ideal for developing and hosting traditional enterprise Java applications that require scalability, security, and integration with other systems.
- Microservices: With its support for MicroProfile, JBoss AS can also be used in modern microservices architectures, especially when containerized and deployed in cloud environments.
- Development & Testing: JBoss AS is often used in development environments due to its ease of use, quick startup times, and modular design, which allows developers to run only the components they need.
The JBoss Application Server, now known as WildFly, is a powerful and flexible platform for building and running Java-based enterprise applications. Its modular architecture, compliance with Java EE/Jakarta EE standards, and strong community support make it a popular choice for developers and enterprises alike.