minimal config

My typical complaint about JBoss 5 is how long the default configuration takes to start up. The minimal config starts up almost instantaneously but it lacks some services I'm trying to use -- and I don't know which ones I'm supposed to add back in. Does the book talk about how to start from a minimal config and only add in exactly what you need, and no more?

Daniel, welcome to Java Ranch!

Usually it is easier to start with the web or default configuration and remove the unwanted services.
There is a wiki page on this topic:
http://community.jboss.org/wiki/JBoss5xTuningSlimming

(I don't have my copy of Francesco's book with me, so I will let him answer the question as to whether he covers this)

Daniel Kranowski wrote:My typical complaint about JBoss 5 is how long the default configuration takes to start up. The minimal config starts up almost instantaneously but it lacks some services I'm trying to use -- and I don't know which ones I'm supposed to add back in. Does the book talk about how to start from a minimal config and only add in exactly what you need, and no more?

Yes the book shows in the first chapter a "matrix" of all services available on all configuration so you can choose what's the shortest path to set up a custom configuration.
As Peter perfectly explained it would be easier to start from an "intermediate" configuration like the default/web and then upgrade/downgrade to suit your needs.
Starting from a bare-bone configuration like the minimal can be interesting for learning purposes, however the real "minimum wage" should be the web configuration.....otherwise you should inquiry why are you using JBoss AS ?

kind regards
Francesco