All naming operations begin with obtaining an initial context. You can view the initial context as a starting point in the name space. Use the initial context to perform naming operations, such as looking up and binding objects in the name space.
The default initial context depends on the type of client. Here are the different categories of clients and the corresponding default initial contexts:
WebSphere Application Server JNDI interface implementation prior to V5.0
WebSphere Application Server clients running in releases prior to WebSphere Application Server V5.0 by default use WebSphere Application Server's V4.0 CosNaming JNDI plug-in implementation. The default initial context for clients of this type is the cell persistent root, also known as the legacy root.
Other JNDI implementation
Some applications can perform name space lookups with a non-WebSphere Application Server - Express CosNaming JNDI plug-in implementation. Assuming the key NamingContext is used to obtain the initial context, the default initial context for clients of this type is the cell root.