INDEXHEAD: Jiro source code released
Sun Microsystems has released its Jiro technology developer’s release, which contains the source code for creating dynamically distributed, interoperable, and automated storage network management solutions based on the newly released Federated Management Architecture (FMA) specification.
The Jiro technology developer’s release relies on a common set of Java APIs for application and multivendor device interoperability. It utilizes a standard by which services, applications, and devices can communicate across heterogeneous networks; such communication will help developers create solutions that decrease the cost and complexity of managing those networks. Jiro technology defines dynamic management services for the update, automatic distribution, and recall of management functions, as well as such basic management services as logging, transactions, scheduling, events, and security.
The Jiro technology developer’s release includes Jiro source code, binaries, tutorials, application examples, and development tools. Developers also have access to technical FAQs, online community support, and discussion boards. An interoperability test program is expected for applications and solutions that incorporate Jiro technology.
Download the Jiro technology developer’s release:
INDEXHEAD: Sun’s FMA specification finalized
Sun Microsystems has unveiled its Federated Management Architecture (FMA) specification. The FMA spec defines Java-based component architecture and management services for automated, dynamic network management. It provides a standard for interactions between services, applications, and devices across a heterogeneous network, which should help developers create solutions for complex distributed environments.
The FMA specification describes a dynamic services model in which management services can interact anywhere on a network. It also uses common programming interfaces to define such basic management services as logging, events, scheduling, lookup, and transactions.
The FMA specification was created in an open review environment under the Java Community Process program.
Find out more about the FMA spec:
Download the FMA source code:
INDEXHEAD: Learning Tree offers Java course
Learning Tree will offer a hands-on course, called Java for Web Application Development, in which participants will learn how to build data-driven Web applications using server-side Java technologies. The four-day course provides hands-on experience in generating dynamic pages with JavaServer Pages, adding Web interfaces to databases using Java servlets, and integrating XML and Java.
Java for Web Application Development will be offered at Learning Tree education centers and other locations beginning in March.
Find out more about Learning Tree’s Java for Web Application Development courses:
INDEXHEAD: JWord relies on Java
SIC has unveiled JWord 1.4, a Java-based word processor that can run on any operating system or Web browser. JWord 1.4 moves the creative process from the desktop to the Web, facilitating realtime word processing on the Internet. Users can write and exchange documents in realtime. This process is facilitated by JWord’s extremely small size — a mere 0.31 MB.
Some of JWord’s features include:
- Variable attributes for characters and paragraphs
- Multiple columns and sections
- Easy insertion of pictures, text boxes, and charts
- Easy creation and editing of tables
A JWord application, applet, and viewer that can be used on the Web are all provided. JWord has been developed primarily on Unicode.
Download JWord 1.4 from SIC:
INDEXHEAD: IBM resists Sun’s branding fees
IBM is winning followers as it continues to resist Sun’s branding fees for Java technology. IBM’s recent deals with Red Hat, Caldera Systems, and TurboLinux are helping to establish the company as a Java technology provider in the open source development community. This newfound presence is expected to help invigorate the company’s sales.
IBM has been chosen as the supplier of the Java Development Kit, including a Java Virtual Machine, for the Caldera, Red Hat, and TurboLinux distributions of Linux. IBM is also distributing the Java Development Kit version 1.1.8.
Although Caldera and TurboLinux have noted that Linux developers should also use Sun implementations, IBM seems to have capitalized on doubts within the open source community about Sun’s commitment to Linux. Additionally, Sun’s recent Java moves have led many open source developers to question the company’s Java plans.
IBM declined to comment on the status of negotiations with Sun, but has made it known that it does not plan on paying a fee. Sun officials noted that since IBM contributed to the development of Java, concessions on the three percent branding fee would not be unprecedented.
Find out more about IBM’s Java plans:
INDEXHEAD: Inprise/Borland introduces VisiBroker for Java
Inprise/Borland has introduced VisiBroker for Java 4.0, a Linux version of its CORBA ORB. Based on open industry standards, VisiBroker 4.0 allows customers to automatically download required ORB classes to a thin client. This allows Java-CORBA applets to be written and deployed without requiring anything else to be installed on the client.
VisiBroker 4 works seamlessly with CORBA 2.3, supporting:
- The Objects by Value specification
- Portable object adapters
- Clustering and load balancing
- RMI over IIOP
Download a free evaluation version of VisiBroker 4.0:
INDEXHEAD: Sun expands storage management options
Sun Microsystems has introduced the Sun StorEdge Management Console and Sun StorEdge Component Manager software products, which aim to create open and customizable environments for storage management solutions. The Sun StorEdge Management Console supplies administrators with a centralized interface for storage management; it also provides support for plug-in tools that perform specific management tasks, such as the Sun StorEdge Component Manager software which monitors and manages one or more storage enclosures. Both applications are based on Java and will include Jiro technology.
Sun StorEdge Management Console software allows storage administrators to centralize the management and remote monitoring of Sun StorEdge storage systems. It offers an easy-to-use graphical user interface for setting up such management features as alarm generation, event notification, remote notification, and overall health display. The Management Console software can also monitor a complete storage configuration from a single screen and, when needed, delve down to individual systems and components.
Sun StorEdge Component Manager software allows storage administrators to monitor, diagnose, and control one or more Sun StorEdge arrays. Storage administrators can monitor their enclosures for abnormal conditions and activities by using hardware polling, alarm notification, event logging, and remote reporting. The application can also be used to display a graphical map of the entire storage network, showing the status of the enclosures and enclosure components. Enclosure components can be controlled by the administrator for functions such as powering off a disk.
Sun StorEdge Management Console and Sun StorEdge Component Manager software are available for the Sun StorEdge A5x00 array family. Current pricing information varies and is subject to change.
More information on Sun StorEdge Management Console and Sun StorEdge Component Manager software:
INDEXHEAD: TETware integrates Java
The Open Group has announced the availability of TETware 3.4. TETware (TET stands for test environment toolkit) is a multiplatform test framework. Version 3.4 offers a Java testing environment that allows the development of Java applications with test classes. The Java API has been integrated into the main TETware distribution, and is supported on Linux, Solaris, and 32-bit Windows platforms.
Other enhancements include:
- Expanded programmers guide
- The ability to instruct tcc to write a journal to standard output or to a pipeline
- Enhanced support for POSIX threads in the thread-safe C and C++ APIs
- Expanded TETware knowledge base
Find out more about TETware 3.4:
INDEXHEAD: eUniverse adds gaming partners
eUniverse has signed agreements with four new strategic partners, all of whom will be offering eUniverse’s multiplayer Java games for their users. The partnership agreements allow Bla-Bla.com, Teen.com, BigSportsfan.com, and CollegeStudent.com to offer their users access to eUniverse’s proprietary multiplayer Java games.
eUniverse provides a proprietary suite of multiplayer Java-based games, including backgammon, spades, chess, and checkers. Partners that already host eUniverse multiplayer games include ThirdAge.com, eCircles.com, FortuneCity.com, TheGlobe.com, and NetTaxi.com.
eUniverse’s Webpage:
INDEXHEAD: Scenix VM programmable in Java
Scenix Semiconductors has introduced a Java-programmable Virtual Machine optimized for embedded applications. The VM is intended for the company’s SX series communications controller chips and occupies less than 4 KB of on-chip program memory. The Scenix VM can be stored in the on-chip flash memory of an SX series chip and executed as needed to run compiled Java code.
The VM is based on Sun’s JavaCard specification, a streamlined version of Java in which functions not needed in resource-constrained embedded applications (multithreading, garbage collection, floating-point capabilities, long data types, etc.) have been eliminated. The Scenix VM implementation has added the use of strings so that operations do not need to be completed serially. Native methods that can call routines written in assembly language have also been included. Using the Scenix VM, developers can write and deploy embedded Java applications with the SX series communications controller. The PC-based integrated development environment allows designers to communicate with a VM resident on an SX series chip for source-level debugging, setting multiple user-defined breakpoints and variable inspection.
The Scenix Java-programmable VM is available from Scenix now for a one-time license fee of 5,000.
Find out more about Scenix Semiconductors:
INDEXHEAD: Flashline.com offers quality assurance testing service
Flashline.com has established the Flashline Quality Assurance Lab, an independent service to test third-party Enterprise JavaBeans (EJBs), JavaBean components, and Java code. The lab will test these components for structure, performance, server-side capacity, and other quality issues. This service allows IT professionals to outsource their testing needs; testing procedures are performed quickly during all development stages, which promotes multisymptom defect correlation. This method allows errors to be removed early in the development cycle, which results in better products delivered under extremely tight deadlines.
Flashline’s lab offers a suite of tests targeting the consecutive stages of the development cycle:
- Code structure analysis
- Component performance
- EJB load and performance
Flashline’s quality assurance testing service will be available February 28, 2000. The tests will be offered starting at 0 per test. A subscription-based service will also be available.
More information on the Flashline Quality Assurance Lab:
