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The following page has been changed by GianlucaVarisco:
http://wiki.apache.org/tomcat/FAQ/FDA_Validation

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== FDA (21 CFR Part 11) Validation ==

=== Preface ===
This page discusses using Tomcat in an [http://www.fda.gov/ FDA] 
[http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/comp/guidance/938.html validated] environment, i.e. 
one where [http://www.21cfrpart11.com/ 21 CFR Part 11] regulations apply.

Please note that although this page mentions specific companies, we do not 
explicitly endorse or sell anyone's services. Tomcat and Apache are 
not-for-profit organizations. This page is also far from a complete listing of 
vendors and support options. It is meant as a demonstration showing that these 
options do exist and that running Tomcat in a validated environment is both 
feasible and reasonable.

=== Questions ===
'''Can Tomcat be used in a validated environment?'''

Yes. There's nothing in Tomcat's design or implementation that prevent it from 
being used in a validated environment. The same validation procedures and 
guidelines that apply to most software packages apply to Tomcat as well. Being 
an open-source application does not preclude Tomcat validation. In fact, it 
helps in at least one key aspect: the source code itself can be audited, as can 
the commit and change logs for the software.

'''Has anyone actually done it?'''

Yes. As shown in 
[http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=tomcat-user&m=109836874319797&w=2 this user 
mailing list archive], Merck and other large companies are using Tomcat in a 
validated environment. In addition, there is at least one application provider 
([http://www.interchangedigital.com/ Interchange Digital]) whose application 
runs on Tomcat that has deployed said package in numerous pharma data centers.

'''Is Tomcat itself validated?'''

Yes. Tomcat itself is validated to the extent it can be. Tomcat implements two 
Java Specifications: the [http://java.sun.com/products/servlet Servlet 
Specification] and the [http://java.sun.com/products/jsp Java Server Pages 
(JSP) Specification]. Each of these specifications has a Technology 
Compatbility Kit (TCK), which is a collection of tests to certify a given 
product meets the Specification fully and accurately.

The [http://www.apache.org/ Apache Software Foundation] is licensed to run 
these TCKs. They are run against every single Tomcat release. '''No Tomcat 
release is pronounced stable unless it has passed both of these TCKs with 100% 
compliance'''. Therefore, every stable Tomcat release is validated to the 
extent of Tomcat's core functionality.

Furthermore, any company of individual may [http://java.sun.com/scholarship/ 
apply] to obtains and use these TCKs themselves. That way, you can re-validated 
Tomcat including any custom patches you have implemented.

However, we cannot validate your application's use of Tomcat. You're on your 
own there.

'''What kind of support is there around validating Tomcat?'''

Several kinds. They include:

 * There are numerous smaller [http://jakarta.apache.org/site/vendors.html 
vendors] and several large ones, including IBM, HP, Sun, and Novell, who offer 
Tomcat consulting and support services, including application auditing, 
environment assessments, and risk analysis.
 * There are numerous vendors in addition to the above consultants, like 
[http://www.covalent.net/ Covalent] and 
[http://www.jboss.org/services/prodsupport JBoss], who offer 24/7/365 
enterprise-level support for Tomcat.
 * The Tomcat [http://tomcat.apache.org/lists.html mailing lists] are extremely 
active and contain members of many of the above organizations, including 
contractors available for hire.

'''How do I know I have a validated release? How do I know no one has tampered 
with the release package?'''

All Tomcat releases are signed using the Release Manager's 
[http://www.pgpi.org/doc/pgpintro PGP] key. The key is also available in the 
KEYS file that ships with every Tomcat release. The same KEYS file is also 
available in the Tomcat CVS repository 
([http://www.apache.org/dist/tomcat/tomcat-5/KEYS here]). The PGP signatures 
are available on all the Tomcat download pages, and can (and should!) be used 
to verify the release really is the signed distribution.

As for tampering: every Tomcat release is also digested using the MD5 algorithm 
as specified in [http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc1321.html RFC1321]. The MD5 digest 
is included in all the download pages. Users run MD5 on their local machine to 
verify that the digest of what they downlaoded is the same as that published in 
the Apache download pages. That way, users are assured the distribution has not 
been modified since the Release Manager signed it.

'''What about security? I'm concerned about attacks.'''

There's no need to be. See the [http://wiki.apache.org/tomcat/FAQ/Security 
security page] of this FAQ for more information.

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