Java Remote Method Invocation (Java RMI) is a distributed object model for the Java programming language that retains the semantics of the Java platform's object model, making distributed objects easy to implement and to use. The system combines aspects of the Modula-3 Network Objects system and Spring's subcontract and includes some novel features made possible by the Java SE platform.

Table of Contents

1Introduction

• 1.1Background
• 1.2System Goals

2Java Distributed Object Model

• 2.1Distributed Object Applications
• 2.2Definition of Terms
• 2.3The Distributed and Nondistributed Models Contrasted
• 2.4Overview of RMI Interfaces and Classes
• 2.5Implementing a Remote Interface
• 2.6Parameter Passing in Remote Method Invocation
• 2.7Locating Remote Objects

3RMI System Overview

• 3.1Stubs and Skeletons
• 3.2Thread Usage in Remote Method Invocations
• 3.3Garbage Collection of Remote Objects
• 3.4Dynamic Class Loading
• 3.5RMI Through Firewalls Via Proxies

4Client Interfaces

• 4.1TheRemote Interface
• 4.2TheRemoteException Class
• 4.3TheNaming Class

5Server Interfaces

• 5.1TheRemoteObject Class
• 5.2TheRemoteServer Class
• 5.3TheUnicastRemoteObject Class
• 5.4TheUnreferenced Interface
• 5.5TheRMISecurityManager Class
• 5.6TheRMIClassLoader Class
• 5.7TheLoaderHandler Interface
• 5.8RMI Socket Factories
• 5.9TheRMIFailureHandler Interface
• 5.10TheLogStream Class
• 5.11Stub and Skeleton Compiler

6Registry Interfaces

• 6.1TheRegistry Interface
• 6.2TheLocateRegistry Class
• 6.3TheRegistryHandler Interface

7Remote Object Activation

8Stub/Skeleton Interfaces

• 8.1TheRemoteStub Class
• 8.2TheRemoteCall Interface
• 8.3TheRemoteRef Interface
• 8.4TheServerRef Interface
• 8.5TheSkeleton Interface
• 8.6TheOperation Class

9Garbage Collector Interfaces

• 9.1TheDGC Interface
• 9.2TheLease Class
• 9.3TheObjID Class
• 9.4TheUID Class
• 9.5TheVMID Class

10RMI Wire Protocol

• 10.1Overview
• 10.2RMI Transport Protocol
• 10.3RMI's Use of Object Serialization Protocol
• 10.4RMI's Use of HTTP POST Protocol
• 10.5Application-Specific Values for RMI
• 10.6RMI's Multiplexing Protocol

AExceptions In RMI

• A.1Exceptions During Remote Object Export
• A.2Exceptions During RMI Call
• A.3Exceptions or Errors During Return
• A.4Naming Exceptions
• A.5Activation Exceptions
• A.6Other Exceptions

BProperties In RMI

• B.1Server Properties
• B.2Activation Properties
• B.3Other Properties