WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment, Version 6.0.x   Operating Systems: AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Solaris, Windows
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What is new for installers

Installation is an easier, more consistent, and functionally rich experience across platforms, installable components, and types of installations.

The biggest improvement to the installation process is that now you can install one copy of the core files (binary system files and processes) on a machine, then use profiles to define multiple application server runtime environments -- each with its own administrative interfaces -- that share the core files. This improvement provides enhancements for preparing, installing, maintaining, and removing installations, including a decreased disk image footprint.

Another big change is the introduction of separate installation routines for the Application Server product, the Web server, the Web server plug-ins, and the clients so that you can install only what you need on a particular machine.

[Version 6.0.2] Platform support is described on the Detailed system requirements page. A quick summary of new platform support is provided in the Support announcement.

Deprecated and removed features describes features that are being replaced or removed in this or future releases.

Improved ease of use

Simplified setup and prerequisites

Redesigned product features simplify operating system setup and reduce prerequisites.

See Preparing the operating system for product installation and Hardware and software requirements .

Redesigned launchpad to plan and start installation

A redesigned launchpad on the product disc launches one of the installation programs. The launchpad also provides product solution roadmap diagrams to let you decide what to install, and where.

See Using the launchpad to start the installation .

Better indicators of installation status

Improved logging and status indicators let you easily determine the success or failure of an installation.

Improved installation verification tools help you verify that the installation succeeded. See Using the installation verification tools .

Verify installation across all installation packages

The installver tool introduced in Version 6.0.2 enables you to perform checksum calculations to verify installed file sets on all platforms.

Improved installation documentation

New installation documentation helps you retrieve relevant information.

See Overview and new features for installing an application serving environment .

Automatic UID/GID selection

The Customization Dialog and Profile Management Tool allow you the option of having RACF choose unused UID and GID values for user IDs and groups created during the customization process. This applies to 6.1.0.7 and above.

Improved capabilities

Smaller footprint

A redesigned installer simplifies the installation of the core product files. You do not have to install the core product files multiple times to create multiple stand alone application servers. Instead, use the Profile Creation wizard GUI or the wasprofile command to create an application server run-time environment that has its own administrative interface.

See Configuring the product after installation .

Install only what you need
New, more granular installation procedures simplify installation and improve installation reliability. Installation routines exist for the following components.
  • WebSphere Application Server products
  • IBM HTTP Server
  • Web Server plug-ins
  • Application clients

Separate installation procedures let you install only what you need on a particular machine.

Create customized installation packages (CIP)
The installation factory provides the ability to:
  • Choose Eclipse-based GUI or CLI
  • Create a “custom refresh,” which is an ISMP-based installation package at any given level of maintenance, such as 6.0.2.1 plus interim fixes
  • Prune unwanted features from the custom installation package
  • Use the custom install package to do a full scratch installation as well as update an existing installation (slip install)

See Developing and installing customized installation packages .

Support for specific 64-bit platforms You can deploy into an expanded memory space, for consolidating servers and handling applications with higher memory bandwidth requirements. Applications developed on 32-bit platforms can be deployed onto 64-bit platforms without special consideration during application development. The exception is that applications using Java Native Interface (JNI) code could require recompilation in the 64-bit environment if they do not start.

Supported 64-bit operating systems and processors are formally documented on the Supported Hardware and Software Web site.

IPv6 support and considerations

This product version introduces selective support for Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6). IPv6 is the next evolution in Internet Protocol beyond the IPv4 standard currently in use in most networks today. The key IPv6 enhancement is the expansion of the IP address space from 32 bits to 128 bits, enabling virtually unlimited IP addresses. This addressing capability, along with new functions enabling end-to-end security, improved mobility support, simplified address configuration and management, make IPv6 a critical component in the evolution of e-business and the next generation internet.

See IPv6 support .

[Version 6.0.2] IPv6 client workload can be distributed to back end WAS servers. The proxy server supports IPv6 clients and servers. The new IPv6 network support extends Load Balancer to IPv6 clients, enabling their workload to be distributed to backend WebSphere application servers for increased flexibility. And with proxy server support for IPv6 clients and upstream server connections, you get added network reach and flexibility. See the Edge Component Information Center.

Changed product installation root

The installation root varies by operating system, as before, but now includes IBM in the path.

The installation root is the same for all three product editions now -- there is no longer a separate installation root for the Network Deployment product edition.

Additional directory structure changes are introduced as described in What is new for administrators .

See Directory conventions .

Introducing "profiles"

Consider profiles during product installation

You can install one copy of the core files (binary system files and such) on a machine or partition, then use profiles to define multiple application server runtime environments -- each with its own administrative interfaces -- that share the core files. The use of profiles provides many enhancements for preparing, installing, maintaining, and removing installations, including a decreased footprint.

Installing the product is a two-step process. The first step is using the installation wizard to install a shared set of core product files. The second step to create a deployment manager profile, an application server profile, or a custom profile.

You must create a profile to have a working environment.

Create a profile after installation at any time using the Profile Creation wizard GUI or the wasprofile command line interface.

Available profiles include:
  • Deployment manager, which provides centralized management of application servers
  • Application server, which can stand alone or run as part of the deployment manager cell
  • Custom, which must be federated and then customized through the deployment manager

Silent and command line installations

Silent installation requires license acceptance

You must set the License Acceptance property to "true" in the silent installation response file.

See responsefile.nd.txt .

Migration, upgrade, and change management

Query product version information

You can query product version information.

See versionInfo command .

Migration wizard

A migration wizard collects data for the migration command line tools. It also monitors and reports migration status. The installation program no longer performs the migration.

Incremental cell upgrade

You can incrementally upgrade nodes in a cell.

See What is new for administrators .

Simplified service

The installation program installs the system files (shared binary files), which you do not update until you install a service fix. Creation and configuration of application servers do not change the system files.

See Installing maintenance packages .

Easier removal and reinstallation

Removal and reinstallation of application server environments is simplified and faster. Application server environments are much easier to install and much easier to uninstall than in previous version. Uninstalling an application server profile does not change the shared system files of the product.

Profile directories retain the logs for reference. Delete them if no longer needed.

See Uninstalling the product .

Web serving capability

Installing IBM HTTP Server

The installation wizard for IBM HTTP Server has been redesigned. At the end of the Web server installation, launch the new plug-ins installation wizard to configure the IBM HTTP Server and the application server.

See Installing IBM HTTP Server .

Installable components in the integrated platform

MQ Series integrated JMS removed from product installation

WebSphere Application Server no longer uses MQ Series to support the embedded JMS function contained in the application server. The MQ Series product is not included any more.

You can use either a separate WebSphere MQ license or the new service integration bus architecture for messaging services. If you set up the integrated JMS under Version 5.0 or Version 5.1, you can continue to use any JMS servers on nodes which have not yet migrated to Version 6.0.x.

Installing the client

The application client installation is no longer a feature under the application server install. A separate application client installation program is delivered on its own disc.

See Installing Application Client for WebSphere Application Server .




Sub-topics
IPv6 support
Related information
Using the launchpad to start the installation
Creating profiles through the graphical user interface
wasprofile command
Installing IBM HTTP Server
Installing Web server plug-ins
Installing Application Client for WebSphere Application Server
What is new in this release
Concept topic    

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Last updated: Mar 8, 2007 8:14:28 PM CST
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