EJB2.0 Local Interfaces

[Kodo Tan]

Hi all
Just read about the local interfaces in EJB2.0. According to the specs, these local interfaces help to improve the performance as there is no remote network calls.
While this is good, aren't that these local interfaces reduce location transparency ? Currently, some app servers vendors are already providing the feature for EJBs locating within the same container to have methods invocations rather than RMI calls. By using local interfaces, isn't that there is a possibility to change the program API when there is a need to separate the beans into separate containers in the future ?
What do you guys think ?
Also, does these local interfaces work when we have a clustered environment with multiple app servers ?

[Frank Carver]

Local interfaces have a very specific use. They are a key component in the move to allowing J2EE to be used for small-scale projects. I encounter projects all the time where scalability to multiple machines is not an issue, but performance on the existing machine is vital.
Local interfaces allow the great power and flexibility of CMP beans to realistically be used in single-machine configurations with sensible sized application servers.