Loading JAX-WS handler classes

A JAX-WS handler interacts with messages through a JAX-WS based Version 7.0 WS-Notification service point (for inbound invocation handling) or WS-Notification service (for outbound invocation handling), therefore you must make the handler class available to the server or cluster that hosts the WS-Notification service point or service to monitor.

This task assumes that we have already created the handler. We can do this by using IBM Rational Application Developer or a similar tool.

Before we can configure a JAX-WS handler for use with WS-Notification, you must make the handler class available to the server or cluster that hosts the WS-Notification service point or service to monitor. To do this, we create a shared library for the class then add the shared library to the class loader for the server.

1. Package the class file for the handler as a JAR file, then copy the JAR file into a directory.

   Make the handler class available to the application server in one of the following ways:

   • Copy the individual class file into a directory structure under app_server_root/classes that matches the package name of the class, where app_server_root is the root directory for the installation of WAS. For example a handler class com.ibm.jaxws.handler.TestHandler is copied into the app_server_root/classes/com/ibm/jaxws/handler directory.

   • Package the class files for all the handlers as a JAR file, then copy it into the app_server_root/lib/app directory.

2. Start the administrative console.

3. Create a shared library for the JAR file.

   1. Navigate to Environment -> Shared libraries.

   2. Set the scope at which we want the new library to be visible, then click New.

   3. Give the new library a name.

   4. Set the class path to the directory and file name for the handler JAR file.

   5. Save the changes to the master configuration.
      

   For more information, see Create shared libraries.

4. Create a class loader for the server or cluster on which to make the JAR file available.

   1. Navigate to Servers -> Server Types -> WebSphere application servers -> server_name -> [Server Infrastructure] Java and Process Management -> Class loader.

   2. Click New.

   3. Click OK.

   4. Save the changes to the master configuration.
      
   For more information, see Configure class loaders of a server.

5. Add the shared library to the class loader for the server.

   1. Navigate to Servers -> Server Types -> WebSphere application servers -> server_name -> [Server Infrastructure] Java and Process Management -> Class loader -> class_loader_name > [Additional Properties] Shared library references.

   2. Click Add.

   3. Click on the name of the new library, then click OK.

   4. Save the changes to the master configuration.
      
   For more information, see Associate shared libraries with servers.

What to do next

We are now ready to create a new JAX-WS handler configuration using the administrative console or using the createJAXWSHandler command.

Related concepts

WS-Notification

Related tasks

Use WS-Notification for publish and subscribe messaging for web services

Secure WS-Notification

WS-Notification troubleshooting tips

createJAXWSHandler command

modifyJAXWSHandler command

Related information:

Create a new JAX-WS handler configuration

Create a new JAX-WS handler list