Avalon is Apache's Java Server Framework project. It is separated into
six subprojects: Framework, Excalibur, LogKit, Cornerstone, Phoenix,
and Apps. Its purpose is to simplify server side programming for
Java-based projects. It formalizes several best practices and patterns
for server side programming. Framework describes the interfaces and
contracts for the component-based architecture. Excalibur provides a
number of useful components and utilities. LogKit is a logging
implementation. Cornerstone is a group of reusable server components
and services. Phoenix is an enterprise container implementation that
uses all of the other subprojects to automatically deploy and manage
one or more componentized servers. Apps is a home for several
Phoenix-compatible server applications and reusable components (like
FtpServer).