Mapping virtual hosts for web modules
A virtual host must be mapped to each web module of a deployed application. Web modules can be installed on the same virtual host or dispersed among several virtual hosts.
We can map a virtual host to a web module during or after application installation using the console. This topic assumes that the web module is already installed on a server and to change the mappings.
Before changing a mapping, check the virtual hosts definitions. We can install a web module on any defined virtual host. To view information on previously defined virtual hosts, click Environment > Virtual hosts in the administrative console. Virtual hosts allow us to associate a unique port with a module or application. The aliases of a virtual host identify the port numbers defined for that virtual host. A port number specified in a virtual host alias is used in the URL used to access artifacts such as servlets and JSP files in a web module. For example, the alias myhost:8080 is the host_name:port_number portion of the URL http://myhost:8080/servlet/snoop.
During application installation, a virtual host other than the one we want mapped to the web module might have been specified.
The default virtual host setting usually is default_host, which provides several port numbers through its aliases:
- 80
- An internal, insecure port used when no port number is specified
- 9080
- An internal port
- 9443
- An external, secure port
Unless we want to isolate the web module from other modules or resources on the same node (physical machine), default_host is a suitable virtual host for our web module.
In addition to default_host, WAS v9 provides admin_host, which is the virtual host for the administrative console system application. admin_host is on port 9060. Its secure port is 9043. Do not select admin_host unless the web module relates to system administration.
Use the Virtual hosts page of the administrative console to view and change mappings
This page is displayed during enterprise application installation using the console and, after the application is installed, can be accessed from an enterprise application settings page.
On the Virtual hosts page, specify a virtual host for each web module. Web modules of an application can be installed on the same virtual host or on different virtual hosts.
Tasks
- Click Applications > Application Types > WebSphere enterprise applications > application_name > Virtual hosts in the console navigation tree. The Virtual hosts page is displayed.
- Examine the list of mappings. Ensure that each Web module entry has the desired virtual host mapped to it, identified under Virtual host.
- Change the mappings as needed.
- Select each web module that we want mapped to a particular virtual host. In the list of mappings, place a check mark in the Select check boxes for the web modules.
- From the Virtual host drop-down list, select the desired virtual host. If we selected more than one virtual host in step 1:
- Expand Apply Multiple Mappings.
- Select the desired virtual host from the Virtual host drop-down list.
- Click Apply.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 until a desired virtual host is mapped to each web module.
- Click OK.
The application or web module configurations are changed. The application or stand-alone web module is restarted so the changes take effect.
What to do next
After mapping virtual hosts, do the following:
- If the application or module is deployed on a cluster and we have no more configuration changes to make, click Rollout Update on the Enterprise applications page to propagate the changed configuration on all cluster members of the cluster on which the application or module is deployed. Rollout Update sequentially updates the configuration on the nodes that contain cluster members.
- Regenerate the plug-in configuration file.
- Click Servers > Server Types > Web servers.
- Select the web server for which we want to generate a plug-in.
- Click Generate Plug-in.
- Save changes to the administrative configuration.
In multiple-server products, the application binaries are transferred to nodes when the configuration changes on the deployment manager synchronize with configurations for individual nodes on which the application will run.
Subtopics
- Virtual hosts settings
Specify virtual hosts for web modules contained in the application. Web modules can be installed on the same virtual host or dispersed among several virtual hosts.
Related:
Virtual hosts Configure virtual hosts Install enterprise application files with the console Configure enterprise application files Enterprise application collection Enterprise application settings