Using the launchpad to start the installation

The launchpad console is the starting point for installing IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment.

Before you begin

Supported configurations:
  • [Windows 7] [This information only applies to Version 6.1.0.9 and later running on the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.] [may2010] On the Windows 7 and Windows Vista operating systems, the launchpad interface is not supported. [may2010]
    may2010
  • [may2010] On the Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows Server 2008 operating systems, the launchpad interface is supported when you use the built-in Administrator user account to install the product. [may2010]
    may2010
sptcfg

The launchpad is a Web application. Before using the launchpad, you must have a supported Web browser.

The launchpad supports the following browsers:
  • Mozilla
    • [AIX] Version 1.7.8 or later
    • [Windows] [HP-UX] [Linux] [Solaris] Version 1.4 and Version 1.75 or later
  • [Windows] Internet Explorer Version 5.5 with Service Pack 2 or later
Install a supported Web browser if one is not installed.
Avoid trouble: You cannot run the launchpad remotely to install a product. Only local use of the launchpad is supported.gotcha

About this task

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 identifies components on the product disk that you can install (launch).

The launchpad can install the tools component in the primary packet of disks. The launchpad on the separate Application Server Toolkit disk can install the tool on Windows and Linux (Intel) systems.

Links in the navigation frame of the product disk launchpad enable you to:

There is no WebSphere launchpad for the disks in the secondary packet, such as the DB2 product disk.

Procedure

  1. Log on as root on an operating system such as AIX or Linux, or as a member of the administrator group on a Windows system.
  2. Start the launchpad.
    The launchpad program is available in the root directory of the product disk or the downloaded installation image. You can start the launchpad manually using a fully qualified command instead of changing directories to the disk and running the command locally from the root directory:
  3. The launchpad opens in the language of the locale setting of the machine.
  4. Use the launchpad to access the product overview, the readme file, and the installation guide.
    Each launchpad panel for an installable component includes a link to the component installation program and to component documentation for installation and configuration. For example, links on the WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment panel enable you to:
    • Launch the installation wizard.
    • View the product overview.
    • View the installation guide.
    • View the readme file.
  5. Click Launch the installation wizard for ... to launch the installation wizard for the installable component that you select.

Results

This procedure results in using 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 disk drive. Check the validity of the media.

Use the following procedure to correct any error that is preventing the launchpad from displaying. Then, try to start the launchpad again:
  1. If the product disk is no longer accessible, insert the disk.
  2. [AIX] [HP-UX] [Linux] [Solaris] Mount the drive as necessary on platforms such as AIX or Linux.
  3. Enable the JavaScript function in your browser.
    • Mozilla:
      Click Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Scripts & Plugins:
      • Enable JavaScript for: Navigator.
      • Allow scripts to ... (Select all boxes.)
    • [Windows] Internet Explorer:

      Click Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level for Internet > Scripting > Active scripting > Enable.

  4. Restart the launchpad by issuing the following command:
    • [AIX] [HP-UX] [Linux] [Solaris] ./launchpad.sh
    • [Windows] launchpad.bat

[Windows] If you are attempting to use the Mozilla browser on a Windows system, Internet Explorer might open instead. The launchpad does not recognize Mozilla as the default browser if Internet Explorer is also installed on the same system. The launchpad is fully functional with Internet Explorer, so no action is required.

Issue the following case-specific command at a command prompt, to create an environment variable that forces the use of Mozilla:
set BROWSER=Mozilla
If the launchpad links still do not work after following this procedure, refer to the following locations of the component installation programs and launch the programs directly.
Welcome page links

The fastpath links to installable components are:

Installable component Directory Program
WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment WAS install
IBM HTTP Server IHS install
Web server plug-ins plugin install
Application Client AppClient install
Rational® Web Developer setup setup

Mount the disk for Rational Web Developer to use its launchpad.

Solution installation diagrams [AIX HP-UX Linux Solaris Windows]
Solution installation diagrams show application server topologies that you create using links to component installation programs.

See the installation scenarios in Planning to install Network Deployment.

WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment installation
Links on the page include:
Launch the installation wizard...
Installable component Directory Program
WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment WAS install
View the product overview...
/WAS/docs/InstallGuide_en.html#over

This is a section of the Getting Started guide. Language versions of this information are available only in the online information center.

View the installation guide...
/WAS/docs/InstallGuide_en.html#install

This is the Getting Started guide.

View the readme file...
/WAS/readme/readme_en.html

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 guide from: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/software/webserver/appserv/library/

IBM HTTP Server installation
Links on the page include:
Launch the installation wizard...
Installable component Directory Program
IBM HTTP Server IHS install
View the installation guide...
/IHS/docs/InstallGuide_en.html
View the readme file...
/IHS/readme/readme_en.html
Web server plug-ins installation
Links on the page include:
Launch the installation wizard...
Installable component Directory Program
Web server plug-ins plugin install
View the installation roadmap...
/plugin/index_roadmap_en.html

See Selecting a Web server topology diagram and roadmap.

View the installation guide...
/plugin/docs/InstallGuide_en.html

See Installing Web server plug-ins.

View the readme file...
/plugin/readme/readme_en.html

See Plug-ins configuration for an overview of how Web server configuration works.

Application Client installation
Links on the page include:
Launch the installation wizard...
Installable component Directory Program
Application Client AppClient install
View the installation guide...
/AppClient/docs/InstallGuide_en.html

See Installing Application Client for WebSphere Application Server silently.

View the readme file...
/AppClient/readme/readme_en.html

What to do next [AIX HP-UX Linux Solaris Windows]

Go to Installing the product and additional software to continue installing your application serving environment.




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Last updated: Aug 29, 2010 10:43:27 PM CDT
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