— Marc Fluery

If you are reading this foreword, first of all I want to thank you for buying our products. This is one of the ways in which you can support the development effort and ensure that JBoss continues to thrive and deliver the most technologically advanced web application server possible. The time this book was written corresponds to an interesting point in the evolution of Open Source. There are many projects out there and once the initial excitement has faded, the will to continue requires some professional dedication. JBoss seeks to define the forefront of "Professional Open Source" through commercial activities that subsidize the development of the free core product.

JBoss' modules are growing fast. The JMX base allows us to integrate all these disparate modules together using the MBeanServer of JMX as the basic abstraction for their life cycle and management. In this book, we cover the configuration and administration of all our MBeans. We also provide a comprehensive snapshot of the state of JBoss server modules, documented in a professional fashion by one of our very best developers. From the basic architecture, to the advanced modules like JBossSX for security and our CMP engine, you will find the information you need "to get the job done." In addition, we provide a wealth of information on all the modules you will want to understand better and eventually master as you progress in your day-to-day usage of JBoss.

JBoss has achieved a reputation for technical savvy and excellence. I would like this reputation to evolve a bit. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely proud of the group of people gathered around JBoss for the past 3+ years, but I want to make the circle bigger. I want to include all of you reading this book. Think of JBoss, not only as a great application server, but also as a community that thrives by the addition of new minds. We are not simply interested in gaining users; we are interested in giving you the tools and the knowledge necessary to master our product to the point of becoming a contributor. Understanding JBoss' configuration and architecture is a necessary step, not only for your day job using JBoss in development and production, but also an initiation into the joy of technology, as experienced in Open Source.

We hope this book will fulfill its potential to bring as many of you as possible to a strong enough understanding of the modules' functionality to dream up new tools and new functionalities, maybe even new modules. When you reach that point, make sure to come online, where you will find a thriving community of committed professionals sharing a passion for good technology. At www.jboss.org, you can also find additional information, forums, and the latest binaries.

Again thank you for buying our documentation. We hope to see you around. In the meantime, learn, get the job done and, most of all, enjoy,