IBM announced new open source version of its Websphere Application Server, the WebSphere application Server Community Edition (WAS CE). WAS CE is based on the Apache Software Foundation’s Geronimo open source application server and is the outcome of the IBM’s acquisition of Gluecode Software last May. WAS CE is a lightweight Java Enterprise Edition-certified application server that is a 60MB download with no cost for customers to download and use WAS CE. WAS CE provides midsize businesses and enterprise departments with access to open source-based technologies with no cost. IBM also provides fee-based support for the new version. With open source there has always been problems of support but with IBM’s idea of providing support I think it is already riding above many other open source products in the same space.
With WAS CE IBM provides an introduction into the WebSphere application server family and enable users to get a taste which will help users transition to more feature-rich versions of WebSphere as their needs evolve.
Announcing IBM WebSphere Application Server Community Edition