This topic describes common installation scenarios and links to component installation procedures for each scenario.
Before you begin
IBM WebSphere Application Server - Express, Version 6 is an integrated platform that contains an Application Server, Web development tools, a Web server, and additional supporting software and documentation.
Why and when to perform this task
Each scenario includes a diagram and a list of detailed installation steps.
Steps for this task (dependent on configuration)
Installing WebSphere Application Server - Express by itself on a single machine creates a stand-alone application server, which is server1. Installing Express creates a set of system files and a profile for the application server. The profile is a separate set of files that define the application server environment.
In this scenario, the application server uses its internal HTTP transport chain for communication, which is suitable for handling an application with a relatively low request work load. For example, this type of installation can support a simple test environment or a departmental intranet environment.
Installing a Web server, such as IBM HTTP Server, on the same machine as the application server provides a more robust Web server environment. Installing a Web server plug-in is a requirement for the Web server to communicate with the application server. This type of installation supports rigorous testing environments or production environments that do not require a firewall. However, this is not a typical production environment.
In the typical production environment, the application server on one machine communicates with a Web server on a separate (remote) machine through the Web server plug-in. Optional firewalls can provide additional security for the application server machine.
A profile is a separate data partition containing the files that define the run-time environment for an application server. A default profile is created during the installation of the Express product. Create additional profiles using the Profile creation wizard. Each profile defines a separate stand-alone application server that has its own administrative interface.
After creating a profile and installing a dedicated Web server, use the Plug-ins installation wizard to install a Web server plug-in and to update the Web server configuration file. The Web server can then communicate with the application server.
This topology lets each profile have unique applications, configuration settings, data, and log files, while sharing the same set of core product files. Creating multiple profiles creates multiple application server environments that you can dedicate to different purposes.
For example, each application server on a Web site can serve a different application. In another example, each application server can be a separate test environment that you assign to a programmer or a development team.
Updating the core product files
Another feature of having multiple profiles is enhanced serviceability. When a refresh pack or fix pack updates the core product files on a machine, all of the application server profiles that were created from the core product files begin using the updated files. In some situations, you might prefer to not update all of the application servers on a machine. In such situations, simply install the product a second time to create a second set of core product files. Create application server profiles from both installations to manage the product updates incrementally.
The script that the Plug-ins installation wizard creates works on the default profile only. So, this script can only create a Web server definition on the profile that is the default profile at the time that the script runs.
Install Rational Web Developer by itself to create an integrated development environment. Developers can test applications in the test environment for V6 that is included in the Rational Web Developer product.
In this integrated testing environment, install the application server behind an optional firewall on one machine and the Web server on a separate (remote) machine. The Web server plug-in lets the application server and Web server communicate with each other. Install Rational Web Developer on a separate Linux (Intel) or Windows machine. This type of installation is useful for quality assurance because the test environment closely mirrors the typical production environment.
Result
You can review common installation scenarios to find a possible match for the topology that you intend to install. Each product installation diagram provides a high-level procedure for installing the components that comprise the topology.
What to do next
After determining a possible topology, you are ready to follow the detailed installation instructions for each product that you plan to install.Related tasks
Installing the product and additional software
Using the Profile creation wizard
Installing IBM HTTP Server
Installing Web server plug-ins
Planning the installation
Related reference
startServer command
Roadmap for installing Rational Web Developer