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The WebSphere Application Server family of interoperable products provides a next-generation application server on an industry-standard foundation. The IBM WebSphere Application Server family is divided into the following packages. Each edition addresses a distinct set of scenarios and needs. WebSphere Application Server includes:
This edition is a lightweight server for static content, servlets, and JavaServer Pages (JSP) files, but does not support enterprise beans.
This edition addresses the basic programming and run-time needs of desktop developers and single-server production scenarios. The run-time environment for this edition addresses standards-based programming for Web and component-based programming, as well as Web services.
The administration model for this edition presumes a single-server environment without clustering for failover or workload balancing, and without centralized administration of multiple server instances. However, you can add a stand-alone node to a centrally administered network (the cell) at any time after installing the next product, which controls the cell.
This edition addresses application servers running in multiple-server production scenarios. It provides centralized administration, as well as basic clustering and caching support.
This edition addresses the advanced programming and run-time needs of developers looking to build new V5.0.x applications that integrate with existing applications. The Enterprise product provides a solid foundation for business integration by introducing programming functions for business process management, integration adapters, rules management, and message transformations.
This edition integrates the WebSphere Application Server product and the Network Deployment product into a single package that leverages the unique qualities of service inherent to the z/OS platform. It addresses standards-based programming for Web and component-based programming, as well as Web services, and provides centralized administration of multiple server instances, as well as basic clustering and caching support.
IBM WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment are interoperable, as is WebSphere Application Server for z/OS with each. The base product CD-ROMs are included in the Network Deployment package. Many of the Network Deployment CD-ROMs are included with the Application Server for z/OS tapes.
The Getting started section of the information center helps you plan, install, migrate, find Samples, and quickly get started deploying applications on your platform using your WebSphere Application Server products. There are separate information centers for each product. Verify that you are reading the information center for the WebSphere Application Server product with which you are working.
Planning
You can use WebSphere Application Server on a stand-alone machine. The information center describes some typical scenarios for using various WebSphere Application Server products on a stand-alone machine.
You can also use WebSphere Application Server products in a group of nodes, each node running one or more Application Servers all under the control of the node where you install the WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment product. Network Deployment provides a deployment manager process that coordinates all activities in the cell of Application Server nodes. The information center describes some typical scenarios for using various WebSphere Application Server products in a multimachine topology.
Migrating
Getting started describes how to migrate applications and configuration data from a previous version of WebSphere Application Server.
Installing
Getting started describes installing each of the products in the WebSphere Application Server family.
Using the Samples Gallery
The Samples Gallery offers a set of samples that demonstrate common Web application tasks. The Samples install on your local machine by default if you choose a typical install in the product installation wizard; however, if you choose a custom install, the Samples are available as an option.
Deploying applications
The information center describes a way to sample WebSphere Application Server functionality by quickly deploying Web components, such as servlets and JSP files. The method is not recommended as an official development method.