WebSphere Application Server V6.1.0.11 and later, 32-bit edition, is supported on 64-bit editions of Windows platforms X64 (Intel EM64T / AMD Opteron) hardware
 Technote (troubleshooting)
 
Problem(Abstract)
IBM® WebSphere® Application Server V6.1.0.11, 32-bit edition, for Microsoft® Windows® platforms is supported on systems using a 64-bit kernel when using X64 (Intel® EM64T / AMD Opteron) hardware architecture. However, earlier versions of the 32-bit edition product (including all V5.1 and 32-bit V6.0 versions) are not supported on a 64-bit kernel on that hardware architecture. WebSphere Application Server 32-bit editions of earlier versions must be installed on a 32-bit kernel on that hardware architecture.
 
Cause
WebSphere Application Server, 32-bit edition for Windows platforms is based on a 32-bit version of the Java™ SDK. Prior to V6.1.0.11, WebSphere Application Server 32-bit edition was not certified for use on 64-bit kernels running 64-bit Edition Windows on X64 based hardware architecture. The "X64 architecture" represents processor architectures including Intel EM64T (utilized by Intel Xeon processors), and also AMD64 (utilized by AMD Opteron processors).
Therefore, WebSphere Application Server 32-bit edition is not supported when running on a 64-bit Windows kernel on X64 based hardware architecture prior to version 6.1.0.11. In order for the 32-bit edition to be supported on Linux® using on X64 based hardware, it is either necessary install an operating system using a 32-bit kernel, or upgrade the product to version 6.1.0.11 and use the operating system with a 64-bit kernel.

Concerning WebSphere Application Server V5.0 and V5.1
WebSphere Application Server V5.0 and V5.1 are based on 32-bit Java SDKs, and therefore neither V5.0 nor V5.1 are supported on 64-bit Edition Windows using X64 based hardware architecture.

Concerning WebSphere Application Server V6.0
WebSphere Application Server V6.0, Network Deployment edition and Base edition, are available in 32-bit and 64-bit editions. WebSphere Application Server V6.0 Express edition is available as a 32-bit edition. The 32-bit editions of WebSphere Application Server V6.0 are not supported for use with 64-bit Windows kernels using X64 based hardware architecture. Instead of installing the 32-bit edition of WebSphere Application Server V6.0 in such an environment, install the 64-bit edition, or install a 32-bit edition of the operating system.

Concerning WebSphere Application Server V6.1
WebSphere Application Server V6.1, Network Deployment edition and Base edition, are available in 32-bit and 64-bit editions. WebSphere Application Server V6.1 Express edition is available as a 32-bit edition. The 32-bit edition of the product, prior to V6.1.0.11, is not supported for use on 64-bit Windows X64 hardware architecture. Upgrading the 32-bit product to V6.1.0.11 will bring the product to a supported level.

The following table indicates whether various product versions are supported on particular Windows editions. Note that some entries in this table refer to WebSphere Application Server Express Edition, Base Edition, and Network Deployment Edition, whereas other entries only refer to WebSphere Application Server, Base Edition and Network Deployment Edition.

Product Version Hardware Is it supported?
V5.1
X
X
32-bit
32-bit
X64: Intel EM64T and AMD64
Supported
V5.1
X
X
32-bit
64-bit
X64: Intel EM64T and AMD64
Not supported
V6.0
X
X
32-bit
32-bit
X64: Intel EM64T and AMD64
Supported
V6.0
X
X
32-bit
64-bit
X64: Intel EM64T and AMD64
Not supported
V6.0
X
64-bit
64-bit
X64: Intel EM64T and AMD64
Supported
V6.1
X
X
32-bit
32-bit
X64: Intel EM64T and AMD64
Supported
V6.1.0.0, V6.1.0.1, V6.1.0.3, V6.1.0.5, V6.1.0.7, V6.1.0.9
X
X
32-bit
64-bit
X64: Intel EM64T and AMD64
Not supported
V6.1.0.11 and later
X
X
32-bit
64-bit
X64: Intel EM64T and AMD64
Supported
V6.1
X
64-bit
64-bit
X64: Intel EM64T and AMD64
Supported


Footnotes
Note 1: "Express Edition" refers to WebSphere Application Server Express Edition.

Note 2: "Base / Network Deployment Edition" refers to both WebSphere Application Server Base Edition and WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment edition.

Note 3: "Product Capability" refers to whether the edition of the WebSphere Application Server product is 32-bit or 64-bit.

Note 4: "Windows Edition" refers to whether the Windows operating system is using a 32-bit kernel or a 64-bit kernel.
 
Resolving the problem
For WebSphere Application Server V5.1, it is necessary to use the product on a 32-bit edition of Windows.
For WebSphere Application Server V6.0, if a 64-bit edition of the product is available, then one method of gaining support is to install and use the 64-bit edition of the product on a 64-bit edition of Windows. If a 64-bit edition of the product is not available, or if using the 64-bit edition does not meet your business needs, then install the 32-bit edition of the product on a 32-bit edition of Windows.

For WebSphere Application Server V6.1, either install and use the 64-bit edition of the product on a 64-bit edition of Windows (if the 64-bit edition of the product is available), or install the 32-bit edition product on a 64-bit edition of Windows, and upgrade the product to version 6.1.0.11 prior to starting any application server processes.


Additional Information
For more information about the hardware and software requirements for all versions of WebSphere Application Server, refer to the Detailed System Requirements page.

The 32-bit edition of WebSphere Application Server V6.0 and V6.1 cannot be "converted" to 64-bit by installing a 64-bit maintenance pack. When the 32-bit edition of WebSphere Application Server V6.0 or V6.1 is installed, that installation instance is committed to 32-bit mode. The 32-bit edition of WebSphere Application Server V6.0 must be installed on a 32-bit edition of Windows when using X64 based hardware architecture. The 32-bit edition of WebSphere Application Server V6.1 is supported when running on a 64-bit kernel, but the product must be updated to version 6.1.0.11.
 
 
Cross Reference information
Segment Product Component Platform Version Edition
Application Servers Runtimes for Java Technology Java SDK
 
 


Document Information


Product categories: Software > Application Servers > Distributed Application & Web Servers > WebSphere Application Server > Install
Operating system(s): Windows
Software version: 6.1
Software edition:
Reference #: 1237405
IBM Group: Software Group
Modified date: May 26, 2006