Why do I get NameNotFoundException?

By default JBoss binds ConnectionFactorys/[DataSource|DataSource]s in the java: namespace. This is only visible inside the same virtual machine and only when using a naming context that is not configured to use a transport.

Mistake 1 - Not using the java: namespace

<local-tx-datasource> 
  <jndi-name>GenericDS</jndi-name> 
  <connection-url>[jdbc: url for use with Driver class]</connection-url> 
  <driver-class>[fully qualified class name of java.sql.Driver implementation]</driver-class> 
  <user-name>x</user-name> 
  <password>y</password> 
</local-tx-datasource>

WRONG!

new InitialContext().lookup("GenericDS");

CORRECT

new InitialContext().lookup("java:/GenericDS");

Mistake 2 - Going over a transport

By using a provider url, you are effectively make your jndi access remote,

meaning the java: namespace is not visible.

Properties props = new Properties();
...
props.put(javax.naming.Context.PROVIDER_URL,"jnp://localhost:1099");
IntialContext context = new InitialContext(props)

use-java-context

In JBoss4 you can bind the DataSource in the global namespace

<local-tx-datasource> 
  <jndi-name>GenericDS</jndi-name>
  <use-java-context>false</use-java-context>
  <connection-url>[jdbc: url for use with Driver class]</connection-url> 
  <driver-class>[fully qualified class name of java.sql.Driver implementation]</driver-class> 
  <user-name>x</user-name> 
  <password>y</password> 
</local-tx-datasource>

Related

• Creating a resource-ref

• Common JCA configuration

• JBossJCA main page