The most popular open-source application server has reached yet another milestone.  JBoss Application Server 6 Candidate Release 1 is now available for download.  The goal of this and our remaining JBoss AS 6.0.0.Final release is to comply with the requirements of the Java EE 6 Web Profile Specification.   With 97% of those requirements met, we're very close to that goal.  The technologies that comprise the Java EE 6 standards are now easier to Use, easier to Learn, easier to Evolve, and easier to Extend which I mentioned during a presentation last April at the Boston JBoss User Group.    Now is the time to test out these claims with this latest release.  But, this release is more than just assurance to standards.   One key upgrade to note is that JBoss Cache has been replaced with Infinispan, 4.2.0.Beta1 release, as the distributed cache provider.   The integration of Infinispan includes management capabilities of Infinispan cache managers and cache instances readily available via the Administration Console when starting the 'all' config or one customized from it.  No extra configuration steps are needed.

On the topic of management capabilities,  a few JBoss AS colleagues visited the inmates at the Asylum while at the Devoxx Conference last week.  Check out the latest PodCast where they summarize the features of the AS 6.0.0.CR1 release.  The discussion continues to give an overview of the first alpha release of AS 7.0.0http://relation.to/Bloggers/AS700Alpha1Releasedand its' architecture which emphasizes our Usability initiative for developers and administrators alike.

A lot of excitement around the JBoss community these days with so much going on.   Let's keep it going.