Configure cells
We can change the cell protocol information, define custom properties for the cell, and add additional nodes.
Before we can configure cells, install the WAS Network Deployment product.
When creating a dmgr profile, a cell is created. A cell provides a way to group one or more nodes of the WAS Network Deployment product. We define the nodes that make up a cell, according to the specific criteria that make sense in the organizational environment. You probably do not need to configure the cell again.
Administrative configuration data is stored in XML files. A cell retains master configuration files for each server in every node in the cell. Each node and server also have their own local configuration files. Changes to a local node or to a server configuration file are temporary, if the server belongs to the cell. While in effect, local changes override cell configurations. Changes to the master server and master node configuration files made at the cell level replace any temporary changes made at the node when the cell configuration documents are synchronized to the nodes. Synchronization occurs at designated events, such as when a server starts.
To view information about and to manage a cell, use the settings page for a cell.
- Access the settings page for a cell. Click System administration > Cell from the navigation tree of the console.
- If the protocol that the cell uses to retrieve information from a network is not appropriate for the system, select the appropriate protocol. By default, a cell uses Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). If we want the cell to use User Datagram Protocol, select UDP from the list for Cell Discovery Protocol on the settings page for the cell. It is unlikely that we need to change the cell protocol configuration from TCP.
- Click Custom Properties and define any name-value pairs that the deployment manager needs.
- Click New.
- Specify a name and value for the custom property.
- When you install the WAS Network Deployment product, a node may have been added to the cell. We can add additional nodes on the Nodes page. Click Nodes to access the Nodes page, which you use to manage nodes.
Both Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) are now supported by WebSphere Application Server, but there are restrictions that apply to using both IPv4 and IPv6 in the same cell. Note that when we add a node to a cell, the format in which specified the host name is based on the version of IP the node will be using. For further information, read the topic on IP version considerations for cells.
Results
Depending on which steps you performed, you changed the cell protocol information, defined custom properties for the cell, and added additional nodes.
What to do next
We can continue to administer the WAS Network Deployment product by doing such tasks as managing nodes, node agents, and node groups.
Subtopics
- Cell custom properties
We can configure name-value pairs of data, where the name is a property key and the value is a string value that we can use to set configuration properties for a cell. Defining a new custom property for a cell enables you to configure a setting beyond that which is available in the console. This topic lists custom properties that are available to configure a cell.
- Cell settings for deployment managers
Use this page to set the discovery protocol and address end point for an existing cell. A cell is a configuration concept, a way for an administrator to logically associate nodes according to whatever criteria make sense in the administrator's organizational environment.
Related concepts
IP version considerations for cells
Managed and unmanaged nodes
Related tasks
Delete the Internet Protocol Version 4 or the Internet Protocol Version 6 multicast port
Configure deployment managers Adding, managing, and removing nodes Manage node agents
Ports collection Node collection