6.1.1 Hardware-based High Availability

Using multiple machines for WebSphere Application Server eliminates a given application server process as a single point of failure.

Typically, the only single point of failure in a WebSphere cell is the Deployment Manager, where all central administration is performed. However, a failure of the Deployment Manager only impacts the ability to change the cell configuration to run the Tivoli Performance Viewer (which is included in the administrative console in WebSphere V6).

A number of alternatives exist to provide High Availability for the Deployment Manager, including the possible use of an external High Availability solution. However, the minimal impact of a Deployment Manager outage typically does not require the use of such a solution. Some customers even choose to run their production environment without an active Deployment Manager. For this reason, this book does not discuss any detailed setup to configure Network Deployment High Availability using external clustering software. If you are interested in learning how this can be done, refer to IBM Redbook, WebSphere Application ServerWebSphere Application Server V6 Scalability and Performance Handbook, SG24-6392.

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