JNDI

Many data stores and connections in GeoServer have the option of utilizing Java Naming and Directory Interface on JNDI. JNDI allows for components in a Java system to look up other objects and data by a predefined name.

A common use of JNDI is to store a JDBC data source globally in a container. This has a few benefits. First, it can lead to a much more efficient use of database resources. Database connections in Java are very resource-intensive objects, so usually they are pooled. If each component that requires a database connection is responsible for creating their own connection pool, resources will stack up fast. In addition, often those resources are under-utilized and a component may not size its connection pool accordingly. A more efficient method is to set up a global pool at the servlet container level, and have every component that requires a database connection use that.

Furthermore, JNDI consolidates database connection configuration, as not every component that requires a database connection needs to know any more details than the JNDI name. This is very useful for administrators who may have to change database parameters in a running system, as it allows the change to occur in a single place.