Chapter 1. Overview of the connector

This chapter describes the connector component of the IBM WebSphere Business Integration Adapter for i2 and the relevant business integration system architecture.

The i2 connector integrates with i2 application modules through i2’s Common Integration Services (CIS) API. CIS API from i2 is an implementation of JCA Common Client Interface. i2 has a suite of application modules that support CIS. The i2 connector is metadata driven, has object discovery capability, and enables integration to any version 6.0 SDK CIS-enabled i2 application. Many i2 modules versions 5.2 and above, support version 6.0 CIS SDK. This connector is available on Windows, Solaris, and AIX.

Connectors consist of two parts: the application-specific component and the connector framework. The application-specific component contains code tailored to a particular application or technology (in this case, i2). The connector framework, whose code is common to all connectors, acts as an intermediary between the integration broker and the application-specific component. The connector framework provides the following services between the integration broker and the application-specific component:

vReceives and sends business objects

vManages the exchange of startup and administrative messages

Note: This document contains information about both the connector framework and the application-specific component. It refers to both of these as the connector.

For more information about the relationship of the integration broker to the connector, see IBM WebSphere InterChange Server System Administration Guide or IBM WebSphere Business Integration Adapters Implementation Guide for MQ Integrator Broker.

This chapter contains the following sections:

v“Connector architecture” on page 1

v“How the connector works” on page 3

Connector architecture

i2’s Common Integration Service (CIS) enables connectivity between external applications and i2 application modules.

CIS includes three primary components:

vCIS Front Bus--used by applications to specify an XML metadata format interface that details the available functions and their expected input and output data. CIS scripts generate the required representations of input and output data in an XML schema and Java Beans. Product teams implement these functions by writing handlers in Java that implement standard CIS interfaces and perform the required logic. These handlers can deal with data as XML or Java Beans. CIS infrastructure deploys these interfaces so that the client can invoke this functionality from a variety of resources.

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IBM WebSphere Business Integration Adapter manual Overview of the connector, Connector architecture
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WebSphere Business Integration Adapter specifications

IBM WebSphere Business Integration Adapter is an essential component of IBM's integration solutions, providing organizations with a robust framework to connect various systems, applications, and data sources. This versatile solution is particularly designed to streamline the integration of enterprise applications and enhance their interactions.

One of the main features of the WebSphere Business Integration Adapter is its wide range of pre-built adapters. These adapters facilitate seamless connectivity with diverse applications, such as ERP systems, CRM software, databases, and legacy systems. This wide compatibility ensures that organizations can automate processes and share data effortlessly, reducing the time and overhead typically associated with manual integrations.

Another notable feature of the integration adapter is its support for various messaging protocols, including JMS, MQ, and HTTP. This multi-protocol support enables organizations to easily implement message-driven architectures by facilitating reliable and asynchronous communication between disparate systems. As a result, businesses can achieve greater scalability and responsiveness in their operations.

The technology stack behind IBM WebSphere Business Integration Adapter also incorporates standards-based protocols, such as Web Services (SOAP, REST) and XML messaging. This adherence to industry standards ensures that the adapter can easily integrate with modern cloud-based applications and services, providing organizations with the flexibility to adapt to evolving technological landscapes.

In addition to its core integration capabilities, the WebSphere Business Integration Adapter supports comprehensive monitoring and management features. Administrators can easily track the performance of integration flows, monitor message processing, and manage exceptions through an intuitive dashboard. This visibility enables organizations to proactively address issues before they escalate, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted operations.

Another significant characteristic of the IBM WebSphere Business Integration Adapter is its scalability. Organizations can deploy the adapter in various environments, from on-premise data centers to cloud infrastructures. This flexibility allows businesses to scale their integration solutions as needed, accommodating growing data volumes and increasing transaction demands with ease.

Moreover, the adapter's modular architecture makes it easy to customize and extend. Businesses can enhance existing functionalities or integrate additional capabilities to meet specific requirements, ensuring that their integration solutions remain relevant and effective in an ever-changing business landscape.

In conclusion, the IBM WebSphere Business Integration Adapter is a powerful tool for organizations looking to enhance their system integrations. With its extensive features, support for multiple technologies, and capacity for customization, it positions businesses for success in an increasingly interconnected world. By leveraging this adapter, organizations can achieve greater efficiency, agility, and operational excellence in their integration efforts.
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