VMware Pivotal tc Server
Build, run and manage Spring Java applications on vSphere
Overview:
Pivotal and VMware are partnering to deliver well-managed, agile and secure data and application infrastructure for VMware environments across public, private and hybrid clouds. Pivotal tc Server formerly known as VMware vFabric tc Server, is now part of the Pivotal portfolio of products.
Pivotal tc Server provides enterprise users with a lightweight Java application server that extends Apache Tomcat for use in large-scale mission-critical environments.
The best place to build and run Spring Java applications
Pivotal tc Server, the best place to build and run Spring Java applications, provides enterprise users with a drop-in replacement for Apache Tomcat which is extended for ease of use in the enterprise. Pivotal tc Server ensures a seamless migration path for existing custom-built and commercial software applications already certified for Tomcat, and includes a free developer edition that is designed to make development in Spring more efficient.
Lean, Powerful Apache Tomcat-Compatible Server
Pivotal tc Server provides companies with a secure, supported, and extended Java application server based on and fully compatible with Apache Tomcat. Many companies are attracted by the simplicity and performance of Tomcat but must balance that simplicity with the responsibility of running large server farms hosting mission-critical applications. Pivotal tc Server strikes that balance for both development and operations teams by including optional extensions and packages that facilitate installation, maintenance, upgrade, and performance management, without breaking the essential qualities that make Tomcat so popular.
Increase Developer Productivity with visibility into Spring
With Spring Insight for Developers, Pivotal tc Server helps to dramatically increase development productivity by giving Java developers unparalleled insight into the performance and behavior of their Spring applications. Developers gain a deep understanding of application performance characteristics by tracing code execution - including both tracing within Spring and tracking wait-times for external dependencies - and visually identifying problematic code. Early detection and diagnosis of underperforming application areas enable developers to deliver high-performance applications faster than ever before. Spring Insight is also available in a multi-node version for production operations teams as part of Pivotal tc Server.
Lightweight Application Server Optimized for Virtual and Cloud Environments
Pivotal tc Server provides a lean platform for running modern applications and is ideally suited for the cloud and virtualized datacenters. Thanks to its very small footprint and lean approach (Pivotal tc Server can even run as an embedded library in a Java application), Pivotal tc Server typically requires significantly less computing resources than typical JEE application servers, enabling greater application server density within a virtual environment. An integrated experience with VMware tools means applications can be easily deployed and managed. Pivotal tc Server is also integrated with Pivotal CF platform as a service.
Key Features:
Pivotal tc Server provides companies with a secure, supported, and extended Java application server based on and fully compatible with Apache Tomcat. Many companies are attracted by the simplicity and performance of Tomcat but must balance that simplicity with the responsibility of running large server farms hosting mission-critical applications. Pivotal tc Server strikes that balance for both development and operations teams by including optional extensions and packages that facilitate installation, maintenance, upgrade, and performance management, without breaking the essential qualities that make Tomcat so popular.
Pivotal tc Server contains all of vanilla Tomcat 7 and Tomcat 8, and has a few optional extensions designed to make it easier to deploy and maintain. Broken out into three groups, highlighted differences include:
Configuration Extensions
- These changes do not involve any code alterations, they are strictly configuration options present in Tomcat that we implement.
- Multi-instance support using shared binaries - makes upgrading and downgrading the Tomcat version trivially easy for one or many instances – so you can keep your servers up to date and secure.
- Variable substation in configuration files – enables a single configuration to be rolled out to many instances in a farm and enhances consistency.
- Asynchronous Logging – Prevents application slowdowns due to log file contention.
- Security Tuning – some basic changes to ports and JMX monitoring access.
Code Extensions
- Additional functionality provided by Pivotal to enhance Tomcat
- Back-ported bug fixes in maintenance releases - e.g. tomcat-7.0.32.B.RELEASE
- Diagnostics Valve - detailed troubleshooting info in real time when apps become slow to respond
- Configuration Templates – including ability to create custom templates
- Change Tomcat log level via JMX without restarting
- Advanced Session replication with Redis and GemFire
- Oracle Database Connection Proxy - Multiple applications can share a connection while maintaining individual connection identities
Add-Ons and Additional Utilities included
- Improved Windows Service Wrapper
- RPM / APT-GET / Debian installers for Linux
- Startup scripts for Linux
- Chef Recipes
- Puppet Scripts
- Hosted Maven repository with easily-embedded Pivotal tc Server
- Password encryption for database connection identities
- Spring Insight for Developers and Operations
Out-of-the-Box L2 and Session Caching
- Highly scalable and reliable Hibernate L2 caching using a pre-built template for Pivotal GemFire running in Pivotal tc Server, for faster access to data while reducing load on traditional databases
- HTTP session replication via Pivotal GemFire to keep frequently-accessed session data close to application logic, reducing application response times
Professional Support
- Drop-in compatibility with existing Apache Tomcat applications
- Enterprise-class 24x7 production and developer support from the Tomcat experts
- Certified software, updates, and patches
Performance Monitoring and Diagnostics
- Detection, analysis and diagnosis of application performance issues during development
- Real-time insight into the performance and behavior of Spring applications
- Built-in advanced application management and reporting tools
How To Buy:
Pivotal tc Server Developer Edition
Pivotal tc Server Developer Edition is free to download and use, and is also bundled within SpringSource Tool Suite, available as a free download.
Pivotal tc Server Standard Edition
Designed to be a drop in replacement for Apache Tomcat, Pivotal tc Server Standard Edition provides enterprise users with the lightweight server they want paired with the operational management, advanced diagnostics, and mission-critical support capabilities businesses need.
Pivotal tc Server Spring Edition
Pivotal tc Server Spring Edition, with its native Spring Instrumentation, enables fine grain monitoring of deployed applications and unparalleled visibility into the execution of Spring-powered applications. With pre-built advanced application management and reporting for Spring applications, Pivotal tc Server Spring Edition provides the application operator with the top-down insight required to ensure Spring applications are performing as expected.
Compare Editions
| Feature | Developer Edition | Standard Edition | Spring Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-in replacement Apache Tomcat | |||
| Multi-server configuration | |||
| Secure remote server administration | |||
| Command line control and scripting | |||
| Comprehensive integrated monitoring | |||
| Spring Application control (start/stop/restart) | |||
| Native Spring Instrumentation | |||
| Detailed Spring App Performance Reporting |
Understanding vFabric tc Server Pricing
Pivotal tc Server can be purchased in three ways:
- Pivotal tc Server Spring Edition can be purchased as part of VMware vFabric Suite. Because vFabric Suite has a flexible licensing scheme, we recommend this option for customers who plan to run tc Server on VMware vSphere or multiple vFabric products in their environment. Learn more about pricing for the vFabric Suite.
- Pivotal tc Server Standard Edition and Spring Edition can be purchased as a standalone Pivotal tc Server license perpetual license — a one-time license under which support and subscription (SnS) contracts can be renewed annually. This option is priced per physical CPU, and appropriate for customers who plan to run tc Server only on physical infrastructure, and not on vSphere. This pricing is outlined below.
- Pivotal tc Server Standard Edition and Spring Edition can be purchased as an annual subscription—an annual contract with support and subscription built-in. This option is priced per physical CPU, and appropriate for customers who plan to run tc Server on physical infrastructure. This pricing is described below.
VMware offers a choice of support levels for Pivotal tc Server. Pricing is per physical CPU, up to 6 cores per CPU. Each additional six cores require an additional license.
- Production support entitles customers to 24 X 7 support.
- Basic support entitles customers to 12 X 5 support.
Support:
VMware Basic Support & Subscription
Weekday Support for Test, Dev and Non-Critical Deployments
- Global, 12x5 access to support
- Unlimited number of support requests
- Remote Support
- Online access to documentation and technical resources, knowledge base, discussion forums
- Product updates and upgrades
Overview
VMware Basic Support is designed for non-critical applications and platforms that require support during normal business hours. Our global support centers have been strategically placed to provide you with fast and efficient access to the support center in your region. Each center is staffed with engineers that can provide industry-leading expertise in virtualization and years of experience supporting virtual infrastructure products in real-world customer environments. We are committed to delivering enterprise-class, worldwide support with a single objective in mind: your success.
VMware Production Support & Subscription Service
Technical Support, 12 Hours/Day, per published Business Hours, Mon. thru Fri.
- Global, 24x7 support for Severity 1 issues
- Fast response times for critical issues
- Unlimited number of support requests
- Remote Support
- Online access to documentation and technical resources, knowledge base, discussion forums
- Product updates and upgrades
Overview
VMware Production Support is designed with your production environments in mind. Our global support centers are staffed around the clock to provide you access to our industry-leading expertise in virtualization and years of experience supporting virtual infrastructure products in real-world customer environments. We are committed to delivering enterprise-class, worldwide support with a single objective in mind: your success.
| Feature | Production Support | Basic Support |
|---|---|---|
| Hours of Operation1 | 24 Hours/Day 7 Days/Week 365 Days/Year |
12 Hours/Day Monday–Friday |
| Length of Service | 1 or 3 Years | 1 or 3 Years |
| Product Updates 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Product Upgrades 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Products Supported 3 | All Products (excluding VMware Fusion and VMware Player) |
All Products |
| Method of Access | Telephone/Web | Telephone/Web |
| Response Method | Telephone/Email | Telephone/Email |
| Remote Support | Yes | Yes |
| Root Cause Analysis | Available only with Business Critical or Mission Critical Support Offering | Available only with Business Critical or Mission Critical Offering |
| Access to VMware Web Site | Yes | Yes |
| Access to VMware Discussion Forums and Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| Max Number of Technical Contacts per Contract | 6 | 4 |
| Number of Support Requests | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Target Response Times Critical (Severity 1) Major (Severity 2) Minor (Severity 3) Cosmetic (Severity 4) |
30 minutes or less: 24x7 4 business hours 8 business hours 12 business hours |
4 business hours 8 business hours 12 business hours 12 business hours |
| Business Hours North America Alaska, Hawaii Latin America Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) Asia, Pacific Rim, Japan (APJ) Australia/New Zealand |
Monday - Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time zone) 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (PST/PDT) 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time zone) 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (GMT/GMT+1) 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Singapore Time) 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Sydney AET) |
Monday - Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time zone) 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (PST/PDT) 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time zone) 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (GMT/GMT+1) 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Singapore Time) 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Sydney AET) |
1 Hours of operation for Gemstone are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PST/PDT). Severity 1 issues are responded to 24x7.
2 Product updates and upgrades are not included with Basic Support and Subscription Service for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) for VMware.
Product updates and upgrades are not included with Production Support and Subscription Service for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) for VMware.
3 VMware Fusion Professional and VMware Workstation require a minimum of ten (10) licenses in order to purchase Basic support. VMware Workstation requires a minimum of ten (10) licenses in order to purchase Production Support.
Documentation:
Download the VMware Pivotal tc Server Datasheet (PDF).