In June 2005, Sun launched Project GlassFish, with the goal of creating an open-source Java EE 5 application
server through a developer community working on a code repository at java.net. This is the same code base used
in the Java EE 5 reference implementation and in the Java EE SDK. The same code base is used in Sun GlassFish Enterprise Server v2 and earlier versions of it are used in Sun Java System Application Server 8.x and the Sun Java Enterprise System; some portions of it are used in the Sun Java System Web Server.
Free
The last releases of SJSAS 8.x have been free for development and deployment. This will continue being so with SJSAS 9.0 - and beyond, as indicated by the Solaris Enterprise System announcement. Open Source
The large majority of the code base uses CDDL an OSI-approved source license that is also used by the OpenSolaris project. Some portions use the Apache license. GPLv2 with ClassPath Exception was added too, so GlassFish is dual-licensed. Community Built
The initial contribution to Project GlassFish was from Sun, which donated the code base for its Application Server. Other contributors include Oracle, with the Java Persistence contribution, as well as smaller individual contributors. See the Related GlassFish Technologies page for more information about GlassFish technologies. Java EE 5 Compatible
Sun and the Java community greatly value compatibility. The Application Server built by the GlassFish community is following the latest version of the Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) specification and also implements other relevant standards. Enterprise Grade
Since the code base in the GlassFish community is used in Sun's enterprise offerings, the effort will have enterprise-grade attributes, including documentation, administration and monitoring, support, etc. These attributes are progressively being upgraded from earlier versions of the Application Server. System Requirements
There are builds currently available for Mac OS X, Linux, SunOS, SunOS_X86 and Windows. See the Get It page.
Spotlight
Download GlassFish v2
Sun GlassFish Enterprise Server v2, previously named Sun Java System Application Server 9.1, has been released as part of Java EE 5 SDK and Java Application Platform SDK. Download either of those SDKs.
