Apache Karaf 2.3.6 Released!

The Apache Karaf team are pleased to announce the availability of Apache Karaf 2.3.6!

This is an update patch for Apache Karaf 2.3.5, containing many bug fixes, dependency updates, and improvements. New feature highlights include: Automatically create data sources from configuration files, add backing engine serivce for PublickeyLoginModule, add a flag to bin/client so that it can read private key from a specified location, and Provide shell:env command.

It is recommended that you review our release notes before updating your deployments.

The Karaf 2.3.6 RC process was enjoyed with Placido Chianti 2011.

As always, I'd like to thank the community for coming together to help make the Karaf release process one of the best in all of open source software.


OpenDaylight Update:

The OpenDaylight port to Apache Karaf has been proceeding steadily towards a stable ecosystem wide build. Next week's Techicial Work Stream conference call will include an End-To-End Hands-on walk-through of ODL Karaf Features. I've copied in below the TWS meeting objectives as outlined by Madhu Venugopal:

"Due to multiple queries from various projects, we are organizing an end-to-end hands on walk-through on Karaf. This will cover all the way from

1. Writing the Karaf feature file on any project
2. Building the .kar
3. Loading the Karaf Container
4. Installing the built feature and Validation.

Time permitting, we will also be covering the Docker based Integration Testing & Sonar coverage. Mathieu Lemay & myself will be leading these topics.
We request at-least 1 representative from each of the projects participating in Helium to attend this session."

I strongly recommend all OpenDaylight developers and users attend this meeting, also any interested Apache Karaf community members as this is a great opportunity to see Karaf's many benefits being realized in a large scale project. Please see the meeting page for conference call details.

Apache Karaf Cookbook now available for pre-order!

This past winter Johan, Heath, Achim, and I started our latest adventure writing Apache Karaf Cookbook for Packt Publishing. We're happy to announce that the book is finally available for pre-order via Packt's website.

We've taken care to cram as many hints, tips, and experiences into its pages as we could.

Taking a look at our table of contents you'll find recipes for:

• Apache Karaf for system builders
• Turning Karaf into a Smart Router with Apache Camel
• Model Karaf into a Message Broker with Apache ActiveMQ
• Transform Karaf into a JSP host with Pax-web
• Distribute your Karaf applications across a clustered container with Apache Karaf Cellar
• Transmute Karaf into a web service container with Apache CXF
• Turbo-charge your Karaf applications’ persistence layer scalability with Apache Cassandra
• Manage Big Data on Karaf with Apache Hadoop
• Integration test with Pax Exam (bonus chapter!)

We hope the community benefits from our experiences, we've poured a lot of ourselves into this title. For more publications on Karaf please see our Instant OSGi Starter, and Learning Apache Karaf.

Up coming Apache Karaf releases, OpenDaylight update, and my acceptance into the ASF.

We have two release candidates in progress: Apache Karaf 2.3.6 and 3.0.2.

Our first target is the Karaf 2.3.x line. 

Highlights in this RC include; Better management of RMI/JMX ports for pax-exam integration tests, more robust JDBC against broken data sources,  several improvements to JAAS, among many other refinements and bug fixes.

Wine pairing for this RC is Placido Chianti 2011

Our second release focus is the Karaf 3.0.x line.

Highlights in this RC include; RBAC recognize group configuration when use Publickey to login, more robust JDBC against broken data sources, add support for role based JMX authorization, Mbean Server RBAC guard should support wildcard role, among many other refinements and bug fixes.

Wine pairing for this RC will be Gabbiano Chianti 2010.

We can't wait to get these release candidates out to the community for validation and voting. Please keep an eye on our dev list for when the votes go live.

Any updates on OpenDaylight on Apache Karaf?

Lots of initial features sets have been defined, and commands adapted to work in their new environment. It's still a work in progress, but coming along nicely :)

There will be an open demo on Monday June 2nd, 2014 on the OpenDaylight Technical Work Stream call: https://wiki.opendaylight.org/view/Tech_Work_Stream:Main

Topics on the call include:

• Karaf in OpenDaylight & Hands-On demo on developing ODL components for Karaf Runtime - Mathieu Lemay (40 mins) 
• Multi-Tenancy Discussion - David Lenrow (20 mins)

Membership with the Apache Software Foundation!

On a personal note, I've recently accepted an invitation to become a member of the Apache Software Foundation. I can not express how honoured I am to be given the opportunity to participate with the Apache Community on this level. I'm looking forward to years to come, helping to grow our communities, and contribute more to their success.