Cache Aliases with Embedded Infinispan

What You Will Learn

How to create a distributed cache with an alias in embedded Infinispan, access the same cache data through different names, and dynamically add new aliases at runtime.

Prerequisites

Java 17+

Step 1: Add the Embedded Dependency

Add Infinispan core to your pom.xml:

<dependency>
   <groupId>org.infinispan</groupId>
   <artifactId>infinispan-core</artifactId>
</dependency>

Step 2: Create a Cache with an Alias

Configure a distributed cache and assign an alias using the aliases() method on the configuration builder:

      //Create cache configuration
      ConfigurationBuilder builder = new ConfigurationBuilder();
      builder.clustering().cacheMode(CacheMode.DIST_SYNC);
      builder.aliases(ALIAS_1);

      // Create a cache
      cache = cm1.administration().withFlags(CacheContainerAdmin.AdminFlag.VOLATILE)
              .getOrCreateCache(DIST_CACHE_NAME, builder.build());

The cache is now accessible by both its original name and the alias. Any data stored through one name is visible through the other.

Step 3: Access the Cache by Alias

Retrieve the cache using the alias name. It returns the same underlying cache:

      cm1.getCache(cacheName)
              .entrySet()
              .forEach(entry -> System.out.printf("%s = %s\n", entry.getKey(), entry.getValue()));

Step 4: Add a New Alias at Runtime

Use updateConfigurationAttribute to dynamically add another alias to an existing cache:

      EmbeddedCacheManagerAdmin administration = cm1.administration();
      administration.updateConfigurationAttribute(DIST_CACHE_NAME, "aliases", ALIAS_2);

After this update, the cache is accessible by the original name, the first alias, and the new alias.

Step 5: Run the Tutorial

mvn package exec:java

The output shows the same cache entries when accessed by the cache name or any of its aliases.

What’s Next

Try distributed caching to understand how data is partitioned
Try replicated mode where every node has all data
Add cache listeners to react to changes