References

CA Gen supports three types of references: EJB References, Local References, and Resource References.

An EJB Reference provides a shortcut to an enterprise bean that is accessed through its remote business interface. Some application servers require EJB references while others require the deployer create a cross-reference XML file to help resolve the EJB references. When an application contains no EJB modules, no EJB references are needed.
A Local Reference is a high performance mechanism for quickly transferring data between the EJB and its caller. As the name implies, the EJB and its caller must be in the same JVM. The performance improvement originates from the elimination of the serialization and deserialization of classes being passed between the EJB and its caller.
A Resource Reference provides a shortcut through which an application can look up JDBC pooled connections maintained by the application server. Some servers require resource references while others require the deployer create a cross-reference XML file to help resolve the resource references.