Hi guys,
as we are working on 1.5.5 release (it's now a question of a few weeks,
as we are processing the bug list ), it may be the good timing to
discuss about the content of the server.xml file.
We have changed it a lot since 1.5.0, and it's pretty difficult for our
users, and for those of us who try to document it, to follow the pac eof
modifications ...
There a a few important questions that come to mind :
- will the file change a lot since 2.0 ?
- what are the modifications done between version N and version N+1
- is there a place the users can have a complete description about this
configuration file ?
- how does this translate when embedding the server ?
My main concern is about the documentation, and also about Studio
integration (as each new version of this file implies a new version of
Studio, as we have a plugin to manage this configuration there).
Currently, I have a few clues about some of those questions, plus some
wishes.
- Modifications to come
As we will have to review the replication system, which is not
documented atm, it's pretty clear that we will have to modify the
server.xml file to deal with replication. Hopefully, this is an isolate
part of the configuration, so I'm not too worried about that.
MINA 2 migration will impact the file a lot. We have added numerous
parameters, and removed the Datagram & Socket beans, replaced by direct
configurations into the different servers, but it might not be the
perfect idea. Tjis has to be discussed.
We also have to work on a failover mechanism, based on a journalized
system (probably), and it will need some configuration too.
So far, this is what comes to my mind currently, but this might be partial.
- Modifications already done
Someone has to parse the different releases to check for those
modifications :/ This is not that complicated, but it means checking the
.xsd files and compares them. Now, the question is : is this usefull ? I
guess this is something we _must_ provide when releasing a version ...
- Documentation
http://directory.apache.org/apacheds/1.5/141-configuration-of-apacheds-with-spring.html
is the starting point. It has to be updated, and I'm afraid that it has
to be updated for each release...
The problem is that those who wrote this documentation are sadly not
those who butchered the configuration. I guess that a minimal effort
from the developpers is needed to keep this page (and the following)
updated, or at least, deliver a release note where the new configuration
file is explained, otherwise this will be a never ending story for the
poor guys who try their best to keep this doco updated...
I have no clear solution atm, but I would be very interested in having
your opinion on this matter. So feel free to comment this mail !
Thanks !
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cordialement, regards,
Emmanuel Lécharny
www.iktek.com
directory.apache.org
