Install WebSphere Application Server
This topic introduces installing IBM WebSphere Application Server, Version 5.1, including the tasks you need to perform.
To create a complete environment for installation, install any prerequisites and prepare the operating platform for installation of the embedded messaging feature. During installation, you can optionally migrate the configuration from a previous version of the product. After installation, you can run the installation verification test and bring up your Application Server. Perform the following tasks to create a running version of the product on your machine.
- Install a Web server on a separate, dedicated machine.
If you plan to install the IBM HTTP Server or another Web server on a dedicated machine, install it now. You can also install the IBM HTTP Server using the installation program in the IHS directory on the WAS product CD-ROM.
- Install the product.
This task helps you prepare your machine for installation and explains the different types of installation available to you. It includes information on...
- Using the LaunchPad
- Deciding whether to migrate applications and the configuration from a previous version
- Deciding whether to coexist with a previous version
- Using the silent installation method
This task describes using the installation wizard. Through the installation wizard, you migrate applications and configurations from a previous version of WAS, coexist with the previous version, choose a full or custom installation, and perform some initial configuration.
A full installation requires setting up operating system groups on Linux and UNIX-based platforms for the embedded messaging server and client feature. If you select the embedded messaging server and client feature in a custom installation, also set up the operating system groups.
The wizard lets you install and configure IBM HTTP Server. You can also select Web server plug-ins for IBM HTTP Server and other popular Web servers.
Edition, V4.x system to base WAS, Version 5.1 is not recommended. If you are an Enterprise product customer with IBM WebSphere Application Server Enterprise, V5.x installed and you are looking to migrate to WAS, Version 5.1, see the following section, "Considerations for Enterprise product customers." If you migrate from IBM WAS Enterprise, V5.0.x or from Enterprise Edition, V4.x, to WAS, Version 5.1 or WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment, Version 5.1, you no longer have Enterprise product functionality on the migrated installation. Do not select the migration option when installing the base product or the Network Deployment V5.1 product.
Considerations for Enterprise V5.0.x customers
As the installation wizard migrates existing WebSphere Application Server products to WAS, Version 5.1 or to WAS Network Deployment, Version 5.1, the installation wizard migrates applications, including applications that use Enterprise Edition, Version 4.x or Enterprise, V5.x. If you install and migrate the base WAS product, the base migration removes the parts of your previous configuration from the new server configuration that are dependent upon the following Enterprise product services:
- Business Rule Beans
- Internationalization
- Work Area Services
The migration process of the base product issues warnings that describe the parts of your configuration that are disabled. The migration tools record these warnings in a log file. Disabled services are unavailable to Version 5.1 applications.
- Verify the WebSphere Application Server installation.
- Use the First Steps tool to run the Installation Verification Test.
The First Steps tool starts automatically at the end of the installation.
- Identify and correct any problems using the troubleshooting procedure.
- Set up V4.0.x and V5 coexistence.
This task describes running WAS V4.0.2 and later editions with V5, on the same machine.
- Set up V5 coexistence.
This task describes running multiple WAS V5 installations on the same machine.
- Manually configure a Web server, for example, to support multiple WAS versions or multiple V5 instances.
This task describes migrating plug-ins and how to configure a plug-in for V5.
- Automatically restart WAS processes.
This task describes how to set up WAS processes for the operating system to monitor and restart.
- Create multiple Version 5 instances on one machine.
This task describes creating multiple configuration instances from one installation. It also describes creating multiple servers in a coexistence or multiple instance environment, and changing port settings for HTTP transport to avoid conflicts.
- Apply an interim fix or fix pack to an existing installation.
This task helps you apply maintenance to WAS products after you download the maintenance from the Support page.
- Remove an interim fix or fix pack from an existing installation.
This task helps you remove applied maintenance from WebSphere Application Server products.
The WAS product is installed.
Uninstalling and reinstalling: If uninstall the product, follow the steps in Uninstalling the product. After uninstalling WebSphere Application Server, reinstalling into the same directory without first deleting all directory contents, results in invalid XML configurations because of old file retention. To delete all files so that you can reinstall with a clean system, perform a manual uninstall, as described in Uninstalling the product.
Tuning performance: For best performance on any platform, see Tuning performance parameter index.
Deploying application: Go to Quickly deploying Web components - Try it out! for a description of how to get started deploying applications.
See Also
WAS packages
Deploying and managing applications
firststeps command
Product version and history information
Installation: Resources for learning