Tomcat Training Course

Apache Tomcat Administration covers the details of installing and configuring Tomcat Web Server.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain how Tomcat relates to Java EE (J2EE) and compares to other application servers (e.g. JBoss)
  
• Install and setup Tomcat on both Windows and UNIX-type environments
• Deploy, support, and troubleshoot applications on Tomcat
• Navigate Tomcat's directory structure
• Understand Tomcat architecture and configuration files: server.xml, context.xml, .properties, etc.
• Understand web application structure and configuration: web.xml
  
• Secure Tomcat and applications running on it
• Set up Tomcat for SSL
  
• Tune Tomcat's performance
• Explore different load-balancing and high-availability strategies with Tomcat 

To get the most benefit from this course, you should be familiar with the basic principles of web/application server administration.

Additionally, prior exposure to any of these concepts can be helpful:

• Basic rules of XML (i.e., being able to edit XML files)
• HTTP protocol (i.e., the stateless nature of HTTP, the need for sessions, HTTP methods, SSL, etc.)
• Java environments (e.g., memory settings, automatic garbage collection, JDBC)
• Other Java EE (J2EE) application servers and basic concepts behind Java Web Applications

One of the best classes I have ever had. I will definitely be looking to come back again! - Autoliv Inc.

The instructor came prepared. He was extremely knowledgeable. - EDS

The instructor has an excellent amount of knowledge. I wish I had more time to take additional classes and ask questions for fulfilling my expertise in other disciplines like apache, java, mysql, etc. - Aerospace Computing, Inc.

It was exactly what we needed. - SkillSoft

Sasa was an excellent instructor and very patient with our many work related interruptions! - SkillSoft

Nothing to improve. The instructor was very knowledgeable and no question was outside his ability to answer solidly and concise. Very enjoyable. - SkillSoft Corp

Marakana offered us a comprehensive and knowledgeable view of Tomcat that prepared us to meet the challenges of converting our entire Application Server infrastructure to the low-cost open source solution offered by Tomcat. - CMP

This was the best class I have ever been to - JP Morgan Chase

It was definitely a very good learning experience. - Avery Dennison

Definitely a worth while class. The instructor was great, he answered questions thoroughly and adapted his lesson plan to target my individual needs. I will certainly return to Marakana for additional training. - SunGard

This class is like participating in a Vulcan mind meld. It is a wealth of information that you can take with you. Highly recommended! - Avmed Health Plans

I would highly recommend this class for any one trying to obtain tomcat skill or understand overall Middle ware application server skills. The snippets of development were helpful to understand the overall technology and how it all works together. - Accenture

The instructor took time out to help me address some issues that we have been having on a new Tomcat implementation, so major Kudos to the instructor. - RxSolutions

This course gave me a very clear understanding about setting up Tomcat, deploying applications and setting the security. I learnt the JDBC aspect of the Tomcat and I really benefitted from this training as a developer - RX SOLUTIONS - UNITED HEALTH GROUP

Very patient, great instructor, really knowledgeable. 'Excellent' really aplies to [the instructor]! - Prescription Solutions

The course met my expectations and the instructor covered the topic well. I will recommend the class to anyone wanting to learn Tomcat. - HCA

This is THE course to take if you need to know more about Tomcat and THE guy to teach this course is Sasa. Awesome guy, well versed and knows his stuff inside and out. Very productive and well learned base to do more with Apache/TC. Thanks Marakana and Sasa for the great time in San Francisco. OH - ask to see the dog... she's the best... - CaRMS

This was an excellent course, I was able to put all the TOMCAT bits and pieces together. Will be better able to tune/configure TOMCAT. Thanks Marakana. - RBTT Services Limited

Apache Tomcat Overview

• Brief history of Apache
• The Apache Software Foundation
• The Jakarta Project
• Tomcat Licensing
• The J2EE Technologies
• Java Web Development
• Servlet/JSP Containers

Java Web Applications

• Overview of Servlets
• Advantages of Servlets
• Lifecycle of a Servlet
• Overview of JavaServer Pages
• A Simple JavaServer Page
• JSP and JavaBeans
• JSP Tag Libraries
• The MVC frameworks (e.g. Struts)

Installing Tomcat

• Downloading and Installing Apache Tomcat
• Overview of Installing Tomcat
• Download and install a JVM
• Download Tomcat
• Using the Windows installer
• Understanding Java memory managemenet and tweaking the JVM for performance
• Download and install Ant

Tomcat Directories

• Examining the Tomcat Installation Directories
• Tomcat Directory Structure
• The bin Directory
• common and shared Directories
• The conf Directory
• The logs Directory
• The server directory
• The work Directory
• The temp Directory
• The webapps Directory
• Web Application Directory Structure
• Deploying HTML and JSP Pages
• Deploying a Web Context
• Viewing the JSP Page
• Viewing the Generated Code
• Lab 1: Deploying a Web App

Configuring Tomcat

• Tomcat Configuration Techniques
• Tomcat’s Component Architecture
• The <Server> Element
• The <Service> Element
• The <Connector> Element
• The <Engine> Element
• The <Host> Element
• The <Context> Element
• The <Realm> Element
• The <Valve> Element
• The <Listener> Element
• The <Loader> Element
• The <Manager> Element
• The server.xml File
• Lab 2: Modifying server.xml

Deploying Web Applications

• Web Application Administration
• Deploying Web Applications
• The Directory Structure of a Web App
• web.xml configuration file
• Deployment Descriptors
• The <web-app></web-app> Element
• Mapping a Servlet to a URL
• The <resource-ref></resource-ref> Element
• The <env-entry></env-entry> Element
• The <ejb-ref></ejb-ref> Element
• A Sample web.xml file
• Lab 3: Deploying a Web Application
• Tomcat's default conf/web.xml file
• Tuning default JSP and Static-content servlets

The Tomcat Manager

• Deploying and Managing Web Application using the Tomcat Manager
• Starting the Tomcat Manager
• Tomcat Manager
• The Manager Section
• Applications
• Deploy
• Server Information
• Creating a WAR File
• Lab 4: Deploying a WAR File
• Java Management Extensions (JMX) on Tomcat
• Tomcat integration with Ant

Advanced Features

• Using Some of the Advanced Features of Tomcat
• Valves
• Access Log Valve
• Single Sign-on Valve
• Remote Address Filter
• Remote Host Filter
• Request Dumper Valve
• Configuring JNDI Resources
• JNDI: Java Naming and Directory Interface
• Defining a JNDI Resource
• The <environment></environment>Element
• The <resource></resource>Element
• Configuring a JavaMail Session
• Global Resources
• Lab 5: Using Valves

JDBC Connectivity

• Configuring Tomcat to Connect to a Database
• Overview of JDBC
• JDBC Drivers
• Connecting to a Database
• Connection Pools
• Download and Install MySQL
• Configure MySQL for Tomcat
• Create a Database in MySQL
• Download and Deploy a JDBC Driver
• Defining a DataSource in Tomcat
• Defining a Data Source Manually
• Modifying the Deployment Descriptor
• Detecting and closing leaked database connections
• Lab 6: JDBC Connections

Tomcat Security

• Configuring Security on Tomcat
• Security Considerations
• File System Security
• Filesystem Recommendations
• The Java Security Manager
• Granting Permissions to Java Apps
• Java Permissions
• Adding Your Own Policies
• Enabling the Java Security Manager
• Security Manager Tips
• Security Realms
• Different Types of Realms
• Configuring a Realm
• Users and Roles (authentication and authorization)
• Creating a Data Source Realm
• Protecting passwords
• FORM-based authentication
• Configuring Tomcat for SSL
• Requiring SSL in applications
• Lab 7: Create a Data Source Realm

Connectors

• Connecting Tomcat to Apache
• Overview of Connectors
• HTTP Connectors
• Advantages of Using a Web Server
• Connector Protocols
• Step 1: Configure an AJP Connector
• Step 2: Download mod_jk
• Step 3: Create the mod_jk.conf file
• Step 4: Start Tomcat
• Step 5: Create a Worker
• Step 6: Configure httpd.conf
• Test the Setup
• Load balancing applications across multiple Tomcat instances
• Issues with load balancing
• Server affinity via sticky sessions
• Shared session storage
• Replicated sessions via Tomcat clustering
• Lab: Clustering

Shared Hosting

• Overview of Shared Hosting
• Tomcat Virtual Hosting
• Configure Tomcat to enable virtual hosting as a stand-alone server
• Configure Tomcat to enable virtual hosting using jk2 or webapp.
• Configure Tomcat as Stand-alone
• Configure Tomcat with AJP
• Separate JVM for Each Host
• Lab: virtual hosting

Load Testing

• Using the JMeter Application
• Load Testing with JMeter
• Install JMeter
• Running JMeter
• Creating a Test Plan
• Configure the Thread Group
• Add a Task to the Thread Group
• Configure the HTTP Request
• Add a Report Listener
• Run the Test Plan
• Viewing the Results