Installation: Resources for learning

Use the following links to find relevant supplemental information about installation and customization. The information resides on IBM and non-IBM Internet sites, whose sponsors control the technical accuracy of the information.

These links are provided for convenience. Often, the information is not specific to the IBM WAS product, but is useful all or in part for understanding the product. When possible, links are provided to technical papers and Redbooks that supplement the broad coverage of the release documentation with in-depth examinations of particular product areas.

This IBM Web site describes pricing and technical details. If you have already purchased the software, view links to additional information about:

Planning, business scenarios, and IT architecture

IBM WAS supported hardware, software, and APIs
The official site for determining product prerequisites for hardware, software and APIs for all WAS products.
IBM developerWorks WebSphere
The home of technical information for developers working with WebSphere products. We can download WebSphere software, take a fast path to developerWorks zones, such as VisualAge Java or WebSphere Application Server, learn about WebSphere products through a newcomers page, tutorials, technology previews, training, and Redbooks, get answers to questions about WebSphere products, and join the WebSphere community, where one can keep up with the latest developments and technical papers.
IBM WAS library and information centers Web site
The IBM WAS Library Web site contains links to all WAS information centers, for all versions. It also lets you access each information center in your native language.
IBM WAS home page
The IBM WebSphere Application Server home page contains useful information, including support links and downloads for fixes, APARs, tools, and trials.
IBM WebSphere software platform home page
The IBM WebSphere software platform home page introduces WebSphere products and describes how companies can easily transform to an e-business, with software that can grow as fast as the business it supports.
Information center for WAS Edge components
The information center for WAS Edge components contains complete documentation for the Caching Proxy and the Load Balancer in these PDF online books, WebSphere Application Server Concepts, Planning, and Installation for Edge Components, WebSphere Application Server Caching Proxy Administration Guide, WebSphere Application Server Load Balancer Administration Guide, and WebSphere Application Server Programming Guide for Edge Components.
developerWorks: IBM Patterns for e-business
The IBM developerWorks site is the source for IBM patterns for e-business, a set of tested, reusable intellectual assets that use to design and implement your e-business network and architecture.
The User centered design (UCD) for different project types, part 2
This Web page is the latest of two articles that describes design activities that IBM scientists have found most useful in various types of projects. This article defines user interface design elements, including the design prototype, use case model, and design specification document.

Programming instructions and examples

IBM developerWorks
IBM developerWorks contains many excellent resources for developers, including tutorials on Web development-related topics. There is an excellent tutorial on the JDBC API.
IBM Redbooks
The IBM Redbooks site contains many documents that are related to WebSphere Application Server.

Programming specifications

J2EE information
For more information about J2EE specifications, visit the Sun site.

Administration

Best Practices Zone on developerWorks
The WebSphere Best Practices Zone is a collection of best practices for administering WebSphere Application Server. Over time, the zone is intended to grow to include best practices for using other WebSphere software products, and to cover more topics. Use the feedback mechanism to submit your best practice suggestions.
The IBM Glossary of Computing Terms
This glossary defines technical terms used in many IBM products. It is not a comprehensive resource of all IBM computing terms. This resource is provided for information purposes only and is updated periodically. IBM takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information it contains.

Support

Ten Steps to Getting Support for WAS
If you are new to a product, you might have difficulty finding all the information we need. And if you come across a problem, where do you go for help? Whether you are a new user looking for introductory information, or an experienced user looking for a workaround for a specific defect, one can benefit immediately from extensive Web-based support from IBM. We can download fix packs, search on keywords, look up FAQs, Hints and Tips, and so forth. Always use this Web resource before contacting IBM Support directly.
WebSphere Application Server Support page
Take advantage of the Web-based Support and Service resources from IBM to quickly find answers to your technical questions. We can easily access this extensive Web-based support through the IBM Software Support portal at URL http://www-3.ibm.com/software/support/ and search by product category, or by product name. For example, if you are experiencing problems specific to WebSphere Application Server, click WebSphere Application Server in the product list. The WAS Support page displays.
IBM e-server Support: Fix Central
A Web facility for downloading fixes for the AIX operating system and the OS/400 operating system.
Adobe Acrobat Web site
This Adobe Web site offers a free download of the Adobe Acrobat Reader product.