Deploy a resource adapter for a Java EE client application

A Java EE client application can use a resource adapter to connect to an enterprise information system (EIS). To use a resource adapter, we need to install it, configure it, and configure related resources.

The resource adapter support provided for Java EE client applications is a subset of the support provided for application servers. A client resource adapter is used in a non-managed environment and must conform to the J2EE Connector Architecture Specification Version 1.5 or higher. Only outbound connections to the EIS are supported through the ManagedConnectionFactory interfaces. The inbound messaging support (from the EIS), life cycle management, and work management aspects of the specification are not supported on the client.

When running Java EE application clients, the launchClient script specifies a system property called com.ibm.ws.client.installedConnector, which is set to the same value as the CLIENT_CONNECTOR_INSTALL_ROOT variable. This is the default location for installed resource adapters and can be overridden for each launchClient call by specifying the -CCD parameter. When the client container is activated, all resource adapter subdirectories under the specified default location for the resource adapters directory are added to the classpath. This action allows the client application to use the resource adapters without using the ACRCT to specify any of the client resources.

Tasks

1. Install the resource adapter archive (RAR) file

   For a client application to use a resource adapter, the RAR file must be installed in the directory specified by the environment variable, CLIENT_CONNECTOR_INSTALL_ROOT, defined when the setupCmdLine script runs. The launchClient tool, Application Client Resource Configuration Tool (ACRCT) and clientRAR tool all use this variable to find the default location of all installed resource adapters.

   To install a RAR file for a client application, use the clientRAR tool.

2. Configure the resource adapter and its resources for the client application Use the Application Client Resource Configuration Tool (ACRCT) to define the resource adapter, connection factories, and administered objects in the EAR file for the client application. The client application uses this configuration to resolve and create an instance of the resource adapter and the other resources.
   1. Configure the resource adapter
   2. Configure a connection factory
   3. Configure administered objects

Subtopics

• clientRAR tool
  Use the command line syntax for the client resource adapter installation tool to install a resource adapter in the client.
• Configure resource adapters for the client
  Use the Application Client Resource Configuration Tool (ACRCT) to configure resource adapters for the client.
• Configure new connection factories for resource adapters for the client
  Use the Application Client Resource Configuration Tool (ACRCT) to configure new connection factories for resource adapters for the client.
• Resource adapter connection factory settings
  Use this panel to view or change the configuration properties of the selected resource adapter connection factory.
• Configure administered objects for resource adapters for the client
  This section helps we configure new administered objects for the client.