A resource adapter archive (RAR) file contains code that implements
a library for connecting with a backend Enterprise Information System (EIS).
Before you begin
This topic assumes that you have created and unit tested a resource
adapter RAR file that you want to assemble in an enterprise application and
deploy onto an application server.
A Resource Adapter Archive (RAR) file
is a Java archive
(JAR) file used to package a resource adapter for the Java 2
Connector (J2C) Architecture for the product.
A RAR file can contain
the following:
- Enterprise information system (EIS) supplied resource adapter implementation
code in the form of JAR files or other runnable components, such as dynamic
link lists.
- Utility classes.
- Static documents, such as HTML files, images, and sound files.
The standard file extension of a RAR file is .rar.
About this task
In an assembly tool, RAR files are called
connectors and assembled
resource adapters are called
connector modules.
A connector is
a Java Platform,
Enterprise Edition (Java EE) component that provides access to Enterprise
Information Systems (EIS), and must comply with the Java EE Connector Architecture
(JCA). An example of an EIS is a transaction manager such as the Customer
Information Control System (CICS®).
You might see the terms resource adapter modules,
resource adapter connectors and resource adapter archive files used
interchangeably.
Use an assembly tool to assemble a connector in
either of the following ways:
- Import an existing RAR file.
- Create a new connector module.
For information on assembling connectors, refer to the online documentation
or the information center for your assembly tool.
Procedure
- Start an assembly tool.
- If you have not done so already, configure the assembly tool for
work on J2EE modules. Ensure that Java EE and EJB capabilities
are enabled.
- Migrate RAR files created with the Assembly Toolkit, Application
Assembly Tool (AAT) or a different tool to an assembly tool. To
migrate files, import your RAR files to the assembly tool.
- Create a new connector module.
Results
A connector project is migrated or created. Files for the connector
project are shown in the Project Explorer view under Enterprise Applications and Connector
Projects.
What to do next
After creating a connector project, you can edit the connector deployment
descriptor if default properties are not sufficient. In the Connector Deployment
Descriptor editor, you can view and edit source code.
After assembling the
connector project, deploy the module or its application onto a server. After
deployment, to ensure that the connector module finds the classes and resources
that it needs, check the Classpath setting for the RAR on the console
Resource adapter settings page.