JBoss Enterprise Application Platform

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform?
A: JBoss Enterprise Application Platform integrates specific versions of JBoss Application Server, Clustering, Cache, Messaging, Hibernate, Seam and JBoss Transactions JTA into a single, certified & supported enterprise solution for Java applications. Annual subscriptions to JBoss Enterprise Application Platform include full production support, security fixes, update releases, and access to new versions released during the subscription lifetime. All JBoss Enterprise Application Platform components are listed on the Component Details page.

Q: How does it compare to JBoss Application Server?
A: JBoss Application Server is the community supported JBoss.org project that operates under the "release early, release often" principle. Innovation in the JBoss Application Server will continue to happen at JBoss.org, once specific features in JBoss.org projects (like JBoss Application Server, Hibernate, Seam, etc.) are enterprise ready, JBoss will integrate them together into a single platform distribution that will be available through an annual enterprise support subscription.

Q: Will JBoss Application Server continue to be supported by itself, in standalone fashion?
A: JBoss Application Server will continue to be supported through the JBoss.org community. For enterprise production support, a subscription to the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform would be required.

Q: If I already have a JBoss Application Server subscription, will I be entitled to JBoss Enterprise Application Platform?
A: Yes, you will be automatically entitled to JBoss Enterprise Application Platform for the duration of your current JBoss Application Server subscription at no additional cost. The JBoss Enterprise Application Platform subscription is designed to continue to support your use of JBoss Application Server v4.0.5 and prior versions as well as provide access to JBoss Enterprise Application Platform v4.2, v4.3, and future Application Platform releases. Detailed lifecyle support information is available at: http://www.jboss.com/products/updates

Q: What prompted the change to the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform model?
A: The majority of JBoss customers combine JBoss.org technologies (like Hibernate, Clustering, Transactions, etc.) together with JBoss Application Server. Since each of these JBoss.org projects released independent of each other, each customer had to determine on their own which versions of each JBoss.org projects worked cleanly together. Customers had to balance between the risk of new project level innovations and overall platform stability required for their production applications. The JBoss Enterprise Application Platform model provides this stability from the start by combining a set of pre-integrated versions of JBoss technologies that have been tested, certified and supported to work together. When features in JBoss.org projects (like JBoss Application Server, Hibernate, Seam, etc.) are ready for enterprise use, JBoss will integrate them together into this single JBoss Enterprise Application Platform distribution as an update or new release.

Q: How long will each version of JBoss Enterprise Application Platform be supported?
A: Each major version of the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform has a five year support lifecyle policy. Detailed lifecyle support information is available at: http://www.jboss.com/products/updates

Q: How will I access software updates to JBoss Enterprise Application Platform?
A: JBoss Enterprise Application Platform is available through the JBoss Customer Support Portal, JBoss Operations Network, & Red Hat Network (for RHEL users).

Q. What are the objectives of the JBoss Enterprise Middleware product delivery model: A. With JBoss Enterprise Middleware, through our Enterprise Platforms & Enterprise Frameworks, our goal is to provide: fully supported enterprise class open source solutions; a standardized, stable & predictable product release process; longterm product patch and update support; pre-integrated, tested and certified distributions that combine the latest enterprise ready JBoss technologies; and, longterm enterprise development and production support.

Q. Will JBoss community projects still exist?
A. Yes, all JBoss community projects will continue to exist at JBoss.org, available to anyone, with full community support.

Q. Is support for the community project downloads from JBoss.org included in a JBoss Enterprise Middleware subscription?
A. No, all supported JBoss Enterprise Middleware, including the latest supported product releases, cumulative patch updates, and security errata should be accessed via the JBoss Customer Support Portal (login required).

Q. How is the longterm support policy for JBoss Enterprise Middleware products?.
A. Each release of a JBoss Enterprise Middleware has a defined Product Update and Support Policy that typically provides for a minimum of 3 years support and a maximum of 5 years support. Support phases are typically divided into Full Support phases, with frequent cumulative patch releases, and Maintenance Support releases, where only critical security errata and select mission critical bug fixes are released.