Install a resource adapter archive

The application server uses the classes and other code that comprise a resource adapter archive (RAR) to support the resource adapters that we configure.

A RAR file, which is often called a Java EE Connector Architecture (JCA) connector, must comply with the JCA Specification. We can meet these requirements using a supported assembly tool to assemble a collection of Java archive (JAR) files, other runnable components, and utility classes into a deployable resource adapter archive (RAR). We can then install the RAR file in the application server.

(ZOS) When using optimized local adapters, set up the server environment in the daemon group before installing the ola.rar file in the application server. The ola.rar file is located in the WAS_HOME/installableApps directory.

(ZOS) We can also use the wsadmin scripting file, olaRar.py, to install the RAR file.

(ZOS) To read about setting up the server environment, see the topic, Enabling the server environment to use optimized local adapters. We can read about the olaRar.py script in the topic, olaRar.py scripting file.

A resource adapter archive provides the classes and other code to support a resource adapter for access to a specific EIS, such as the Customer Information Control System (CICS ). Therefore, we can only configure resource adapters for an EIS after we install the appropriate RAR file.

Important: When we use the Install RAR dialog to install a RAR file, the scope we select on the Resource Adapters collection page has no effect on where the RAR file is installed. We can install RAR files only at the node level, which we specify on the Install RAR page. To create a resource adapter instance at a scope other than node, after installing the RAR file on each node, create a new resource adapter instance from the RAR file with the desired scope.

Tasks

1. Navigate to the Resource adapter panel. Click Resources > Resource Adapters > Resource adapters.

2. Install a new resource adapter archive.

   1. Click Install RAR. A dialog opens for installing a RAR file and configuring the associated resource adapter. Only click New to configure a new resource adapter for a previously installed RAR file.
   2. Browse to find the appropriate RAR file.

      • If our RAR file is located on the local workstation, select Local path, and browse to find the file.

      • If our RAR file is located on the server, select Remote file system, and specify the fully qualified path to the file.

   3. Click Next.

3. Configure the resource adapter name and any other properties needed under General Properties. For more details on the settings that we can configure, such as the J2C connection factories, see the topics Installing resource adapters within applications and Configuring resource adapters.

4. Click OK.

5. Optional: Create a new resource adapter instance from the installed RAR file with a different scope level. After installing the RAR file on each node, we can create another resource adapter from it with any valid scope other than node.

   • If we do not create a resource adapter instance from the installed RAR at the cluster scope, then create identical factories (connection factories, admin object, and activation specifications) at the node level on each of the nodes in the cluster. By creating a cluster-scoped resource adapter instance from the RAR, we provide a placeholder for our factories and circumvent the need to create identical factories at the node level for each of our nodes in the cluster.

   • We must install the RAR on each node using the Install RAR procedure from step 2 in order for the cluster-scoped resource adapter to function properly on each node.

   1. Click Resources.

   2. Click Resource Adapters.

   3. Select the scope level and then click NEW.

   4. Choose the RAR file from the installed archive path.

   5. Click OK.

We have installed a resource adapter archive that provide access to the EIS when it is properly configured. If configure more settings, or change some settings that were configured during the installation process, refer to the topic on configuring a resource adapter in the administrative console for more information.

Subtopics

• Install resource adapters embedded within applications
  Install resource adapters in the applications so they can access outside data sources.
• Install RAR
  Use this page to install a resource archive (RAR) file in one of two ways. We can either upload a RAR file from the local file system, or specify an existing RAR file on a server. The RAR file must be installed at the node level, and we can select the node on this page.
• Install resource adapters embedded within applications
  Install resource adapters in the applications so they can access outside data sources.
• Install RAR
  Use this page to install a resource archive (RAR) file in one of two ways. We can either upload a RAR file from the local file system, or specify an existing RAR file on a server. The RAR file must be installed at the node level, and we can select the node on this page.

Related:

Relational resource adapters and JCA

Configure resource adapters

Configure new J2C resource adapters

(ZOS) Enable the server environment to use optimized local adapters

Resource adapters collection