Multi-Client Support
WebORB for .NET was designed for universal connectivity, which means it supports multiple client-side technology connectivity with .NET server-sider resources. Multi-client support is especially important when you want to port an existing application to multiple client-side technologies, such as Flex and iOS. The client-side technologies currently supported by WebORB for .NET include:
Flash Integration
WebORB provides full support for Flash remoting clients. Supported client applications can use either ActionScript version 2 and version 3 APIs. ActionScript version 2 clients should use Adobe's Flash Remoting components to connect to the WebORB server and invoke exposed services. The AS3 client applications can use the NetConnection API available in the Flash Player runtime environment.
In addition to Flash remoting, WebORB supports real-time messaging and video/audio streaming for remotely connected Flash clients via RTMP.
Flex Integration
WebORB is an extremely powerful integration server that supports three fundamental Flex to .NET integration mechanisms:
- Flex Remoting - bi-directional mapping between ActionScript and the built-in .NET data types and custom user classes. WebORB provides full control over the remoting service creation and session life cycle. Learn More>
- Flex Data Management - a powerful framework for enabling developers to create data-driven Flex applications. The framework consists of a data modeler, code generators, runtime engine and data management API. Learn More>
- Real-time Messaging -includes support for data push, client synchronization, integration with MSMQ and Apache NMS, and support for Remote Shared Objects (RSO). Flex clients can use the Producer/Consumer API to exchange data between each other as well as native server-side applications. Learn More>
- Media Streaming - A Flex application can publish its own video stream for recording or live broadcast. Additionally, clients can connect to WebORB and stream Flash video files or subscribe to live video broadcasts. WebORB supports high quality H.264, Sorenson Video and Screen Video transmission. Learn More>
Developers using FlashBuilder 4 will be pleased to find that WebORB provides a custom plugin for easy integration between FlashBuilder 4 and .NET (not something FlashBuilder provides).
Silverlight Integration
WebORB for .NET enables cient/server integration between Silverlight clients and the .NET framework. Silverlight developers can enjoy the simplicity and ease-of-use of the client API, convenience of the deployment model, productivity tools like service browser and code generator and unmatched runtime performance. Silverlight integration is enabled through a Silverlight component. Once imported into a Silverlight client application, the component provides the capability to bind and invoke methods on remote .NET classes deployed in a WebORB-enabled ASP.NET application.
AJAX Integration
The WebORB JavaScript library is an AJAX-based implementation that enables browser clients to communicate with the WebORB server. The library is a set of routines, communication protocol implementation, tools and software components that facilitates the development of web-based rich client applications. By hiding the complexity of the underlying communication mechanism, the system provides a cross-browser, easy-to-use application program interface (API).
JSON Integration
WebORB fully supports the JSON format for remote method invocations. Any deployed service, including .NET classes from class libraries, WCF services, Spring.NET objects, NHibernate models and Web Services, can be invoked from a JSON client. All server-side features, including service security, service activation, service and argument factories, invocation monitoring, and abstract arguments, are applicable to the JSON invocations.