The launchpad console is the starting point for installing WebSphere Application Server products.
Before you begin
Why and when to perform this task
Use this topic to learn how to use the launchpad.
WebSphere Application Server is an integrated platform that contains an Application Server, a set of Web development tools, a Web server, and additional supporting software and documentation. The launchpad is the single point of reference for installing the entire Application Server environment.
The launchpad opens in the language of the machine locale setting. The launchpad identifies components on the product disc that you can launch.
The launchpad can install the tools component in the primary packet of discs. The launchpad on the separate Rational Web Developer disc can install the tool on Windows and Linux (Intel) systems.
The launchpad has diagrams that show the possible application server topologies that you can create with all of the components in the primary packet.
A link exists for each installable component on the product compact disc and for the installable tools component that is on a separate disc in the primary packet of compact discs in the product package.
There is no launchpad for the compact discs in the secondary packet in the product package, such as the DB2 product. See Packaging for more information about the installable components in each package.
The launchpad panel for each installable component in the primary packet includes a link to the installation program for the component and to documentation that describes the product, how to install it, and how to configure it for use.
Perform the following procedure to use the launchpad.
Steps for this task
Download Internet Explorer from the following location:
Export the location of the supported browser using the following command:
export BROWSER=/usr/bin/mozilla
Result
You can use the launchpad to start the installation and to access information through a browser.Troubleshooting
If you can start the launchpad, but clicking a link does not resolve to a page in the launchpad, you might have the media for the wrong operating system in the CD drive. Check the validity of the media. Otherwise, use the following procedure. If the links do not work at the end of the procedure, open the readme file for reference and launch the installation programs directly.
Mount the drive as necessary on Linux and UNIX platforms.
Internet Explorer: Click Tools > Internet
Options > Security > Custom Level for Internet > Scripting > Active scripting
> Enable.
If you still cannot use the launchpad console, access the readme file in the root directory of the product disc or launch each installer program directly. You can launch the following links directly:
Installable component | Directory | Program |
---|---|---|
WebSphere Application Server - Express | WAS | install |
IBM HTTP Server | IHS | install |
Web server plug-ins | plugin | install |
Application clients | AppClient | install |
Rational Web Developer: /setup/setupMount the CD for the Rational Web Developer and use the launchpad on that disc.
Installable component | Directory | Program |
---|---|---|
WebSphere Application Server - Express | WAS | install |
This is a section of the Getting Started guide. Language versions of this information are available only in the online information center in Packaging.
This is the Getting Started guide. Language versions of the information are available only in the online information center in Installing the product and additional software.
The Getting Started guide is also available in Adobe PDF format. Viewing this document requires that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a free download from the Adobe Acrobat Web site. Download the installation guide from: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/software/webserver/appserv/library/wasv60express_gs.pdf
Installable component | Directory | Program |
---|---|---|
IBM HTTP Server | IHS | install |
Installable component | Directory | Program |
---|---|---|
Web server plug-ins | plugin | install |
See Configuration behavior of the Plug-ins installation wizard for an overview of how Web server configuration works.
What to do next
Return to Installing the product and additional software to continue.
Related reference
firststeps command