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We are pleased to confirm that the next meeting of the WebSphere User Group (uk) will take place on 17th September 2008 at the Royal Society of Edinburgh. There will be no charge for this meeting and we have an excellent agenda lined up.\n\nNote: there will be a social gathering of the night before which will be an excellent opportunity for extended networking. London to Edinburgh return flights are approx £50 with easyJet.
Provisional Agenda
Registration and Coffee begins from 8:30am, with the Chairman's Intro at 9:00am. The first session begins at 9:30am.
A buffet Lunch is served at 12:30pm, with coffee breaks included in the morning and afternoon.
WebSphere Platform
Session 1
Title:
WASv7 Overview
Abstract:
WebSphere Application Server V7 builds upon the powerful and stable core of previous releases with new features and enhancements. In addition to support for the latest standards and programming models, this release contains key improvements in the areas of systems management, installation, security and auditing. V7 provides complete support for the Java EE 5 specification, which is aimed at simplifying enterprise Java development and making enterprise application development more accessible to all Java developers. This release supports the latest Web services standards including WS-Policy, WS-ReliableMessaging, and WS-SecureConversation and offers simple administrative tasks to config Web services, including several pre-configured standard Web service profiles such as WS-I RSP for reliable, secure conversations. \\n<br><br>\\nSeveral important systems management additions have been made in V7 to enable more flexible, scalable, and asynchronous administrative topology. Administration of "business-level applications" is provided for managing several related artifacts as a combined unit. A new property-based configuration tool gives you the ability to easily import and export server configurations. \\n<br><br>\\nThis session provides an overview of the new content in V7 and the value this provides.
Speakers:
Tim Francis, Ian Robinson
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Session 2
Title:
RADv7.5 Overview
Abstract:
Rational Application Developer (RAD) is the premiere development environment for applications targeting the WebSphere Application Server. The next version of RAD (7.5) will be available shortly, and this session will describe the content and important new features in the RAD 7.5, as well as a summary of the overall themes and goals for the release. \\n<br><br>\\nThe session will include a live demonstration of the latest code, highlighting the new features, and the integration with the WebSphere Application Server 7.0. \\n<br><br>\\nWhilst some of the new features are only available for use with WAS v7, the session will identify the new features that are available for users of WAS v6.x and how they can be exploited (e.g. productivity improvements).
Speakers:
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Session 3
Title:
WebSphere Security Overview - Part 1
Abstract:
This session will focus on the new security features introduced within WAS v6.1 and v7. \\n<br><br>\\nFirstly, Simon Kapdia will take attendees through the new security features that were introduced in version 6.1; the whole "secure by default" concept (and what it actually means); the new SSL certificate management which is a huge improvement on what there used to be; the SPNEGO TAI becoming part of the product; fine grained administrative access control via scripting; and some additional areas of interest.\\n<br><br>\\nAlasdair Nottignham will then discuss some of the main changes introduced within version 7, including but not limited to the new auditing framework and the concept of multiple security domains per cell.
Speakers:
Simon Kapadia, Alisdair Nottingham
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Session 4
Title:
WebSphere Security Overview - Part 2
Abstract:
The second of these 2 sessions will focus on two specific technologies. \\n<br><br>\\nFirstly, Alasdair Nottingham will describe a part of the security runtime which far too few WebSphere practitioners are familiar with or properly understand - securing SI Bus, the integrated messaging system in WebSphere. SI Bus was introduced in WebSphere 6.0, and is a messaging system with a powerful security model that can greatly enhance the security of messaging within and across WAS based solutions.\\n<br><br>\\nAfter this, Simon Kapadia will spend time discussing the best way to secure Web Services for WebSphere. Simon will explain that if you are doing anything with XML, including Web Services, then from a security point of view why he would strongly advocate the use of IBM DataPower within your security architecture (note that this is NOT to be confused with an IBM Sales presentation!)\\n<br><br>\\nFollowing this, Simon and Alisdair will take questions from the audience on any of the topics presented or related security topics of interest (which could drive topics to be included in the forthcoming Security SIG at subsequent events).
Speakers:
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Web2.0 SIG
Session 1
Title:
Web2.0 Feature Pack & Related Technologies Update
Abstract:
In this session Matthew Perrins will give a deep technical overview of the recently released Web 2.0 Feature Pack for WebSphere. \\n<br><br>\\nIt will explain its major components and position how they can be used in the next generation of Rich Internet Applications that will run on WebSphere. It will explain what the key architectural components of a J2EE based RIA are and how the Web 2.0 FEP can support them.\\n<br<br>\\nThe presentation will cover a brief overview of the IBM strategic Ajax Toolkit called Dojo. It will explain how to use the JSON libraries and how they can invoked through a Restful Controller servlet. It will explain what COMET is and how it can delivery real time data to a browser. \\n<br><br>\\nThe session will close with some real-time demos of the Web 2.0 FEP and some enterprise use cases of where if could leveraged.
Speakers:
Matt Perrins
Download:
[not available]
Session 2
Title:
Mash-ups IBM Style
Abstract:
The presentation will provide an overview of the capabilities we have in IBM Mashup Center product family.We will look at how to enable service consumers to quickly assemble a mashup solution from a set of building blocks. n<br><br>nIt will cover an overview of the function of IBM InfoSphere MashupHub and briefly touch on IBM WebSphere sMash. It will discuss the concepts of RESTful nservices and the use of Feeds to deliver services to consumers who can build solutions quickly with little or no programming experience. The presentation will close with a demonstration of the capabilities.
Speakers:
Matt Perrins
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Session 3
Title:
Intro to WebSphere sMash & PHP in Java Runtime
Abstract:
WebSphere sMash introduces a simple environment for creating, assembling and executing dynamic web applications. This presentation will provide an overview of the platform, then explore some of the specific features that help simplify web application development. These include APIs optimized for producing REST-style services and rich web interfaces, browser-based development tools and a PHP runtime that executes in the JVM, allowing WebSphere sMash PHP applications to easily interact with Java code. For more information on WebSphere sMash and to try it out, see http://www.ibm.com/websphere/smash and our community website centred on WebSphere sMash technology, http://projectzero.org .
Speakers:
Robin Fernandez
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Session 4
Title:
Introduction to Lotus Connections
Abstract:
In this session we will focus on looking at Lotus Connections from the perspective of WebSphere Application Server deployment and administration. Lotus Connections runs on WAS 6.1 as a number of web applications with a variety of possible deployment configurations. After a short introduction to the product, and the new features in 2.0, we will cover the various recommended deployment topologies, administration and also how you can extend the social computing power of Lotus Connections into your existing web based applications.
Speakers:
Adrian Spender, Karim Heredia
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Portal SIG
Session 1
Title:
Combining IBM Lotus Forms, Process Server & Portal
Abstract:
Looking for a quick, repeatable, auditable way to handle human tasks within automated processes? WebSphere Process Server process automation capabilities can be enhanced by using Lotus Forms to handle human tasks in a WebSphere Portal environment. Learn how Lotus Forms capabilities can be used to deliver secure, intuitive, wizard-driven human task interaction with automated processes via a WebSphere Portal user interface. Learn how WebSphere Process Server and Lotus Forms can interact and how to integrate form data into the business process. Also learn how Process Server business rules can drive forms and how IBM ECM platforms can be used to audit the user interaction. Open Logic include real world examples where Lotus Forms, WebSphere Process Server and WebSphere Portal have improved efficiencies and reduced costs for medium and large customer organizations in various industries. They will demonstrate sample integrated Forms/Process Server/Portal applications and discuss future directions.\\n<br><br>\\nDue to popular demand, this session which is based on a real experiences drawn from a customer case study, repeats and extends the session presented in March. It will include updated content and will also provide additional content that could be included at that time due to time constraints.
Speakers:
Paul Collins
Download:
[not available]
Session 2
Title:
Portal Standards support in Portal v6.1 and WAS
Abstract:
This session will focus on new features provided in WebSphere Portal Server v6.1, exploring the WAS portlet container; the portlet integration & isolation with WAS WSRP Producer; and an overview of the portal standards including new Web 2.0 additions.
Speakers:
Andreas Brunnert
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Session 3
Title:
Client-side Aggregation model in Portal v6.1
Abstract:
This session will show you how WebSphere Portal 6.1 improves user experience, performance, responsiveness and scalability by adopting Web 2.0 paradigms and technologies such as AJAX, REST, RSS, Atom, and live text semantic tagging.\\n<br><br>\\nThe first part of the session will discuss and demonstrate the new capabilities provided by WebSphere Portal 6.1 exploiting these technologies, in particular client-side aggegration, integration of feeds and Google Gadgets, tagging-based click-2-action etc. \\n<br><br>\\nThe second part will explain how to fully leverage AJAX technology in WebSphere Portal for portlet development. Attend this session to learn and see how JSR 168 and JSR 286 portlets can adopt AJAX techniques to deliver increased user interaction and improved performance. This part will discuss development guidelines, design patterns, frameworks, recommendations and also strategies to avoid for AJAX portlet development to demonstrate the range of possibilities and optimal uses of this new technology.
Speakers:
Rob Enright, Stefan Behl
Download:
[not available]
Session 4
Title:
Comparing WebSphere Portal v6.0 and v6.1.
Abstract:
WebSphere Portal v6.0 was a major release for IBM and it's Portal strategy, introducing a new level of capability and features. This session will take you from the 6.0 release through to v6.1 (introducing further features & capabilities) highlighting the differences and updates.\\n<br><br>\\nAmongst other goals, this session will aid WebSphere Portal users determine the case and timescales for transition within their organisation.
Speakers:
Stuart Crump
Download:
[not available]
SOA & WebServices SIG
Session 1
Title:
WebSphere ESB Best Practice
Abstract:
In this presentation, Andrew will share best practices for using WebSphere ESB (together with its development environment, WebSphere Integration Developer). \\n<br><br>\\nThis session includes both 'large-scale' and 'small-scale' best practices that IBM have discovered over the past few years working with customers using WebSphere ESB. These include: \\n<br><br>\\n* Separation of business logic and technical logic.\\n<br>\\n* Documentation of modules and components.\\n<br>\\n* Selecting binding types.\\n<br>\\n* Considering performance implications.\\n<br>\\n* Using faults - modelled and unmodelled.\\n<br>\\n... as well as many other hints, tips, and best practices. \\n<br><br>\\nSome WebSphere ESB, Process Server, or Integration Developer knowledge or experience would be useful to gain the most benefit from attending the presentation.
Speakers:
Andrew Ferrier
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Session 2
Title:
Web Service Policy - Concepts & Value to SOA
Abstract:
This session will give an introduction to Web service policy concepts and scenarios, including a discussion of policy governance and enforcement in SOA environments. Additionally, it will explain the WS-Policy standard, along with possible mechanisms and security considerations for the exchange of WS-Policy metadata. \\n<br><br>\\nThe talk will describe the latest policy functionality in WebSphere Application Server v7. This new function allows Web service policy configurations to be shared in WS-Policy standard format and for WAS 7.0 clients to be dynamically configured based on WS-Policy metadata representing the service provider`s configuration.
Speakers:
Katy Warr
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Session 3
Title:
Real World Uses of Transactions in SOA
Abstract:
Complex business processes that interact with multiple data sources need to have an infrastructure that maintains transactional integrity. When such processes are deployed in a SOA, then an interoperable Web Services protocol is required to coordinate transaction outcomes between services. This session compares the use of ACID/2PC and compensating transaction models and illustrates a number of real business scenarios in which IBM customers have successfully deployed applications that take advantage of Web Services Coordination, Web Services AtomicTransactions and Web Services BusinessActivity specifications. These scenarios include real-world concerns such as transaction-affinity management in workload-managed environments, transactional failover in highly-available environments, and interoperability in heterogeneous runtime environments.
Speakers:
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Session 4
Title:
Avoiding Web Services Operational Chaos with WSRR
Abstract:
The adoption and loosely coupled nature of Web Services creates new challenges for IT Operations. This presentation considers these challenges and describes how they can be addressed through the governance and management capabilities of WebSphere Services Registry and Repository (WSRR). A discussion of the new features in the recently available WSRR v6.2 is included together with a description of WSRR Advanced Lifecycle Edition. The points made in the discussion will then be illustrated by a demo of the product.
Speakers:
David Buchanon, Ben Bridon
Download:
Java SIG
Session 1
Title:
Technical Introduction to WebSphere Real-Time
Abstract:
Predictable Performance for Java Applications. Java has grown beyond applets and servlets and is now being used for a huge range of applications. With WebSphere Real Time (WRT), you can now run applications that demand very high deterministic qualities of service without the need to restrict the general services or programming model that makes Java so appealing for application development. This presentation will discuss the significant enhancements made to the J9 Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and TR Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler to provide the infrastructure for the WRT product, as well as discussing the real-time class libraries provided in our RTSJ (JSR #1) conformant implementation. It will introduce our incremental, deterministic garbage collector called Metronome. Finally, we will talk about our work in enabling our middleware to run on this deterministic environment.
Speakers:
Mike Fulton
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Session 2
Title:
Java Consumability Tooling
Abstract:
Are you a Java developer ? Are you a Java tester ? Are you a Java architect ? Are you a Java user ? Do you spend time diagnosing apparent Java problems ? Are you a manager with people working for you that are involved with Java in any way ? Are you an Exec whose mission includes products or services that contain Java code ? If the answer to any of the above questions is YES then it`s time you heard about all the Java Consumability good news. \\n<br><br>\\nIBM`s  Java Technology Centre is busy creating ways for people to get a better experience with Java and are making various tools available. These tools will help you tune your own applications that use Java as the core component, help you understand your own code, help you increase your knowledge of what is happening within the Java Virtual Machine, help you diagnose problems and most importantly, help you keep your systems alive and well. \\n<br><br>\\nTrent Gray-Donald and Will Smith will introduce a number of these tools and will demonstrate the current capability of some of them. They will also be very keen to hear feedback, requests for new functionality and ideas of new areas that they should be developing.
Speakers:
Trent Gray-Donald, Will Smith
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Session 3
Title:
(No Session)
Abstract:
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[not available]
Session 4
Title:
(No Session)
Abstract:
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[not available]
Architecture SIG
Session 1
Title:
(No Session)
Abstract:
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[not available]
Session 2
Title:
(No Session)
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[not available]
Session 3
Title:
Architecting Large-Scale Systems
Abstract:
Many initiatives, such as systems engineering, enterprise architecture, strategic reuse programmes and Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) require us to move beyond a “single system†mentality. In this session, Peter will examine some of the architectural challenges when working in such environments and explore some of the techniques that have been successfully applied to address these challenges.
Speakers:
Peter Eeles
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Session 4
Title:
WebSphere Portfolio Enterprise Infrastructure
Abstract:
This session essentially covers main areas. Firstly, it looks at what differentiates an enterprise infrastructure architecture from a non-enterprise infrastructure architecture and how to migrate from isolated pools of infrastructure running some WebSphere products to something that is planned and controlled as a whole. To enable this it looks at an approach to understanding the business context for the enterprise processes and how this can be used to 'group' pools of functionality together as the starting point of simplification. Business and application architecture are used to drive this. \\n<br><br>\\nThe second section looks at the enterprise level infrastructure architecture WebSphere components and how to best exploit them in a joined up manner.
Speakers:
Colin Renouf
Download:
[not available]
