Apache Axis2 is a web service engine. It is a redesign and re-write of the widely used Apache Axis SOAP stack. Implementations of Axis2 are available in Java and C. Axis2 provides the capability to add Web services interfaces to Web applications. It can also function as a standalone application server.

Why Apache Axis2

A new architecture for Axis2 was introduced during the August 2004 Axis2 Summit in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Some concepts from Axis 1.x, like handlers etc., have been preserved in the new architecture. Apache Axis2 supports SOAP 1.1 and SOAP 1.2, and it has integrated support for the REST style of Web services. The same business-logic implementation can offer both a WS-* style interface as well as a REST/POX style interface simultaneously. Axis2/Java has support for Spring Framework. Axis2/C is a high-performance Web services implementation that has been implemented with portability and ability to be embedded or hosted in Apache Httpd, Microsoft IIS or Axis Http Server. See article about Apache Axis2/C Performance (2008) (latest release occurred in 2009). Axis2 came with new features, enhancements and industry specification implementations. Key features include:

Axis2 Features

Apache Axis2 includes support for following standards: Below a list of features and selling points cited from the Apache axis site:

Axis2 Modules

Axis2 modules provide QoS features like security, reliable messaging, etc.

Related technologies

Axis2 Books

Citations