Oracle Application Server 10g Configuration Options - Part 1
One of the most common questions surrounding Oracle Application Server these days seems to be “What version do I need?” Oracle has complicated this question by releasing two “Production” versions. Many clients that I work with are coming from a BEA, IBM or Apache/Tomcat background and Oracle’s Application Server (which includes many additional components and layers) tends to confuse.
The goal of the article is to clarify the Oracle Application Server stack configuration options.
1) Let me start off by showing the traditional application server stack made famous by BEA and Apache/Tomcat:
This simple configuration is just as you might think. User HTTP requests are processed by the HTTP Server; JSP or Java related requests are forward to the J2EE Server.
2) Now let me show you the typical Oracle Application Server. In this case we are looking at 10g Release 2 (10.1.2.0.2):
Here you can see that Oracle has added a Web Cache layer in front of the HTTP Server and in some cases (i.e. Enterprise Edition) Oracle includes optional software packages like Portal. This collection of services and software is commonly called the “Middle Tier”.
If you are intending to use Portal or other Oracle products might need to install an “Infrastructure Tier”:
This tier contains an additional HTTP and J2EE server plus an Oracle 10g Database which are used to support products like Oracle Internet Directory and Single Sign-On as well as Portal.
A combined Middle and Infrastructure Tier is commonly referred to as the “Full Stack”. The “Full Stack” is only currently available in version 10.1.2.0.2 (not 10.1.3.x).
Part 1 Summary Release 2
- 10g Release 2 (10.1.2.0.2) “Full Stack”
- Includes Middle and Infrastructure Tiers
- Web Cache, Portal, Forms, Reports, Discoverer, Single Sign On, Oracle Internet Directory and Java Development
- 11g (not Release 3) is the next “Full Stack” release
In Part 2 we will continue the discussion describing Release 3 (10.1.3.x), how it differs from Release 2 and how to choose the best Release for your needs.
Jeremy Simmons
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