When you create a WebSphere ESB stand-alone profile or deployment manager profile, the administrative domain is created for that profile. You can change the configuration of an administrative domain; for example, to add nodes to a deployment manager cell. You can configure cell-wide settings for virtual hosts, and variables. You can also define shared libraries at the cell, node, or server level for use by multiple applications.
WebSphere ESB uses the same administrative domain support as used for WebSphere Application Server and other related products like WebSphere Process Server. As a result, many administrative tasks, and many terms used, are the same for both WebSphere ESB and WebSphere Application Server.