Chapter 2. Architecture of Mule and ServiceMix

In chapter 1 we defined an ESB, explored its features, and showed you how an ESB can be used to solve integration problems. We also introduced two popular open source ESBs, Mule and Apache ServiceMix, and you saw a hello world example of these two ESBs in action.

In this chapter we look deeper into these two technologies. More specifically, we examine the architecture of Mule 2.0.2 and ServiceMix 3.2.1. We start by explaining Mule and show you its main concepts and how they work together.

Next, we explore ServiceMix in two distinct sections. In section 2.2 we address Java business integration (JBI), since that’s the foundational specification of ServiceMix. Then, we investigate ServiceMix in more detail in section 2.3.

At the end of this chapter you’ll have learned the architecture of both Mule and ServiceMix and how the basic components of these two ESBs are designed. You’ll also have a good knowledge of JBI and how that specification is used in ServiceMix.

Just a reminder: you can download all the source code for the examples in this book from the book’s website. In the next chapter we explain in more depth how you can set up a local environment in which you can run these examples.

2.1. Mule architecture and components

2.2. JBI, the foundation for ServiceMix

2.3. ServiceMix architecture and components

2.4. Summary