The WSO2 Gadget Server is an Enterprise Information Portal, providing a framework built on top of the Google Gadget Specification, that helps enterprises organize information in their SOA across organizational boundaries.

1. WSO2 Gadget Server
Technical Briefing
December 2009

2. Company
Founded in 2005 by pioneers in XML, SOA, Open Source
Significant contributors, members and committers at Apache
Software Foundation
Offering complete Enterprise Middleware platform, 100% free and
open source under Apache license
Business model based on providing training, consultancy and
support for the software
Global company with offices in US, UK and Sri Lanka

3. Common Enterprise Architecture

4. WSO2 Enterprise Platform

5. WSO2 Gadget Server 1.0

6. Gadget Server
Language neutral – no need for Portlet programmers
Pure HTML + Javascript / AJAX
Google Gadget Specification is widely used because of iGoogle
Hundreds of available Gadgets and samples
Full personalization of Gadgets
Drag and drop
Multiple tabs
Add Gadgets from the repository or by URL
Anonymous mode can be used for public access
Support for Enterprise capabilities
Existing user directories – e.g. LDAP, ActiveDirectory
Enterprise Gadget Repository to manage available gadgets
Can restrict to authorized gadgets or allow open web-based gadgets

7. Understanding Gadgets
The Google Gadget Specification is an open specification for
building dynamic web content,
used in the iGoogle homepage
Gadgets deployed in WSO2 Gadget Server are HTML and
Javascript wrapped in XML
Unlike old-style portals, Gadgets don't have to be installed by
the administrator before use
instead, there is an option which allows gadgets to be loaded over
the network from any website
The result is that your users can choose from hundreds of
ready written tools without needing the time of an administrator
Because gadgets are simple to write using standard web
technologies, your developers or external teams can quickly
and effectively create task-specific tools and reports

8. The Enterprise Gadget Repository
One of the most important features of the WSO2 Gadget Server
is the Enterprise Gadget Repository
This is where users can pick and choose gadgets to be added
to their individual portal pages
This makes it simple to create a default home page for each
user, and
provides users with a simple catalogue of enterprise gadgets
In addition users can comment and rate these gadgets
helping everyone get the best out of the system

9. Architecture Overview
The Gadget Server is a pure Java application,
running on JDK 1.5 and 1.6, and
tested on Windows, Linux, Solaris and AIX
Based on the WSO2 Carbon framework
The gadget display engine of the WSO2 Gadget Server is
powered by Apache Shindig
an Open Source reference implementation of the
Google Gadgets Specification

10. Architecture Overview
The Gadget Server is
scalable,
clusterable and
enterprise ready
Supports OpenID and Infocard single-signon technologies
The administrator has a single console that manages the whole
product including
monitoring,
configuring permissions and
adding gadgets to the Enterprise Gadget Repository

11. What can it be used for?
Enterprise Portal
Business Dashboard
Content Aggregator
SOA/AJAX UI
Framework
And many more

12. The WSO2 Gadget Server Anonymous Mode
Demonstrates a potential user the portal experience even before
registration
The Enterprise Gadget Repository is not available in this mode
Administrators can configure which Gadgets from the Enterprise
Gadget Repository are available for Anonymous Users
User's portal settings are stored in the browser

13. The WSO2 Gadget Server Anonymous Mode

14. User Registration
Users can register using
Standard user name and password,
OpenId or
Infocards
User self registration can be disabled if required
Users can be manually added by the Administrator using the
Management Console
Externals user stores can be linked as well
LDAP
Active Directory
JDBC

15. User Registration

16. User Registration – by Administrator

17. Portal User Experience
Once registered, the user's portal is pre-populated with the
default Gadgets defined by the Administrator
Users can …
Add new Gadgets from the Enterprise Gadget Repository,
Arrange Gadgets using drag and drop,
Configure per Gadget settings if available,
Add new Tabs
Clone existing Tabs
Copy Gadgets between Tabs
Gadgets can adjust their height dynamically
Gadgets can be maximized to use more screen space

18. Gadget layout and settings can be customized

19. Gadgets can have dynamic height

20. Gadgets can be maximized

21. Gadget Hosting in the Registry
The Gadget XML and related resources can be hosted in the
Registry of the Gadget Server
gadget.xml
Javascript,
images,
.swf files, etc.
Most of the sample Gadgets shipped with the server are stored
in the Registry

22. Gadget XMLs can be stored in Registry

23. The Enterprise Gadget Repository
Registered users can browse the repository and add Gadgets to
their portal with a single click
They can also comment on and rate Gadgets
Administrators get a separate view in the Management Console
to manage Gadgets in the repository

24. The Enterprise Gadget Repository

25. Enterprise Gadget Repository - Administration

26. Benefits
Zero Licensing Fees
Interactive and Responsive
Personalization
Unified View
Increased Return on Investment
Cost Effective
Better user experience
Unified view of data and applications

27. Resources
Company Website: http://wso2.com
Sanjiva: sanjiva@wso2.com
Paul: paul@wso2.com
Business Team: bizdev@wso2.com