---
title: Custom Java nodes
description: Develop and maintain custom Java authentication nodes in PingAM, including best practices for security, internationalization, and building authentication trees
component: pingam
version: 8
page_id: pingam:auth-nodes:preface
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingam/8.1/auth-nodes/preface.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingam/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
revdate: 2026-06-01T14:34:20Z
keywords: ["Extensibility", "Integration", "Nodes & Trees"]
page_aliases: ["index.adoc"]
superseded_by: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingam/8.1/auth-nodes/preface.html
section_ids:
  name_changes_for_forgerock_products: Name changes for ForgeRock products
---

# Custom Java nodes

These topics provide guidance and best practices for developing and maintaining Java authentication nodes in AM.

|   |                                                                                                             |
| - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | To create your own custom scripted nodes, use the [Node Designer](../am-authentication/node-designer.html). |

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#### [About authentication nodes](about-nodes.html)

Learn how nodes define actions taken during authentication.

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#### [Prepare your environment](preparing-for-nodes.html)

Discover the prerequisites for building and customizing Java authentication nodes.

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#### [Secure nodes](secure-nodes.html)

Learn about security best practices when developing authentication nodes.

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#### [Develop nodes](develop-maintain-nodes.html)

Learn how to develop and maintain authentication nodes.

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#### [Translate nodes](i18n-nodes.html)

Internationalize the text in your nodes.

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#### [Build and install nodes](build-install-nodes.html)

Find out how to build and install authentication nodes for use in authentication trees.

You can find information on configuring and using authentication trees in [Configure trees](../am-authentication/configure-authentication-trees.html).

## Name changes for ForgeRock products

Product names changed when ForgeRock became part of Ping Identity.

The following name changes have been in effect since early 2024:

| Old name                      | New name                        |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| ForgeRock Identity Cloud      | PingOne Advanced Identity Cloud |
| ForgeRock Access Management   | PingAM                          |
| ForgeRock Directory Services  | PingDS                          |
| ForgeRock Identity Management | PingIDM                         |
| ForgeRock Identity Gateway    | PingGateway                     |
| ForgeRock Identity Platform   | Ping Advanced Identity Software |

Learn more about the name changes in [New names for ForgeRock products](https://support.pingidentity.com/s/article/New-names-for-ForgeRock-products) in the Knowledge Base.