In releases prior to the RFID Edge Server 3.0 release, the concepts described in this guide were referred to as workflows. The earlier releases also provided sample workflows.
Note:
In this release, workflows are replaced by small, reusable modules that provide finer granularity functions and can be used as building blocks to satisfy use cases. These building blocks are called Edge Flow modules and can be used to create simple or complex Edge Flows. This new feature provides a flexibility that minimizes the need to write custom modules.
Note:
Starting with version 3.0 of the Edge Server, limited support is provided for the workflow modules. New workflows cannot be created using the Adminitration Console and messaging between the workflow modules and the new Edge Flow modules is not supported.
This document describes the basic concepts of Edge Flows, as well as how to configure and use the Edge Flow modules included with the WebLogic RFID Edge Server. It does not explain other Edge Server functionality such as the ECSpec Editor. Refer to Related Information to determine which other documents you may need to consult.
This document is intended for the following audiences:
System administrators—IT professionals who configure and deploy Edge Flows. Related responsibilities may include installing, testing, maintaining, and upgrading RFID Edge Server. System administrators understand networking and Web protocols, as well as Java and XML.
Application developers—Java programmers who focus on developing client applications using the Application Level Events (ALE) API, and working with other engineering, quality assurance (QA), and database teams. Application developers have in-depth, working knowledge of Java.
Guide to This Document
This document is organized as follows:
This chapter,
Introduction and Roadmap, describes the scope of this guide and lists related documentation.
Introduction and Roadmap is an overview of RFID Edge Server Edge Flow functionality and describes how to configure Edge Flow modules.
The following BEA documents contain information that is relevant to the WebLogic RFID Edge Server Edge Flow Reference:
Product Overview provides descriptive information about WebLogic RFID Edge Server, including use cases, key benefits, component architecture, functional overview, RFID concepts and terminology, and developer and RFID resources.
RFID Reader Reference describes how to configure the RFID devices supported by the RFID Edge Server.
Programming with the ALE and ALEPC APIs describes the Application Level Events (ALE) and Application Level Events Programming Cycle (ALEPC) programming interfaces (APIs) that you use to create applications that interact with WebLogic RFID Edge Server by reading and writing electronic product code (EPC) tags.
Using the Reader Simulator describes how to use the Reader Simulator software included with RFID Edge Server. The Reader Simulator minimally simulates a ThingMagic Mercury4 RFID reader.
WebLogic RFID Enterprise Server Administration Guide provides further information on the EPC Information Service (EPCIS), and EPCIS events. Consult this document if you want to configure Edge Flows to send EPCIS events.
Edge Flow and Driver Javadocsprovides reference documentation for the Edge Flow and Driver development packages that are provided with WebLogic RFID Edge Server.
