WebSphere serves Web services
IBM’s WebSphere platform and tools already provide a useful solution for enterprises that need to implement the latest Web technologies and integrate and extend existing software assets. Recently IBM made available a number of new XML and Web services technologies that ease integration in enterprise settings running multiple component frameworks, such as J2EE and Microsoft .Net.
One of these technologies, an implementation of the open source WSIF (Web Services Invocation Framework), provides a simple Java API for invoking Web services regardless of how or where the services are provided. WSIF support in WebSphere Studio Developer Integration Edition allows developers to integrate with Web services via WSDL descriptions rather than working directly with protocols such as SOAP. WSIF simplifies SOAP, EJB, JMS, and .Net component integration and allows you to blend frameworks at a higher level of abstraction.
Another new IBM technology, the Web Services Gateway, included with WebSphere Business Connection software, provides mapping based on WSDL documents. The Web Services Gateway is deployed at the firewall, where it functions as a proxy server of WSDL-defined services and provides a single point for managing Web services security, including access and validation controls. The Web Services Gateway also uses WSIF to simplify integration. Combining this functionality within the Gateway provides easier implementation of Web services between business partners.
Enterprises running applications on WebSphere should begin to explore how these technologies might be implemented to increase corporate integration processes and expand the possible use of Web services with business partners.
