Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) remains a very hot topic, and more large to mid-sized enterprises are deploying SOA within their business environment. This note addresses the technological implications of deploying SOA, more specifically, the factors to consider when implementing SOA using an Enterprise Service Bus (ESB). These include:
- The appropriateness of the hub-and-spoke messaging model.
- Communication.
- Adapter availability.
- Mediation services capabilities.
- Development tools.
Using ESB as the messaging layer for SOA is becoming the de facto implementation standard. Although other deployment options exist, an ESB addresses many of the issues that can repeal an enterprise's SOA initiative.