[AIX HP-UX Linux Solaris Windows]

Creating a custom profile

Create a custom profile so that you can include application servers, clusters, or other Java processes, such as a messaging server, in its empty node. You can use the Profile Management tool to create a custom profile.

Before you begin

Before you use the Profile Management tool, install the core product files.

The Profile Management tool is the graphical user interface to the manageprofiles command. See the description of the manageprofiles command for more information.

You must provide enough system temporary space to create a profile. For information, read about the file system requirements for profiles.

[This information only applies to Version 6.1.0.9 and later running on the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.] [Fix Pack 9 or later] Running the Profile Management tool on Microsoft Windows Vista™ and Windows 2008 operating systems: After installing WebSphere® Application Server Version 6.1, install a service pack containing Version 6.1.0.9 or later on your Microsoft® Windows® Vista operating system before you attempt to create any profiles using the Profile Management tool. If you are running Windows 2008, install a service pack containing Version 6.1.0.17 or later before you attempt to create any profiles using the Profile Management tool.
Supported configurations [AIX HP-UX Linux Solaris Windows] Supported configurations: You cannot use the Profile Management tool to create profiles on the following platforms:
  • 64-bit platforms
  • Linux for zSeries platform
sptcfg

About this task

After installing the core product files for the Network Deployment product, you must create a profile. It can be a deployment manager profile, an application server profile, a cell profile, or a custom profile.

This topic describes creating a custom profile using the Profile Management tool. A custom profile is an empty node that you can customize to include application servers, clusters, or other Java processes, such as a messaging server.

You can also use the manageprofiles command to create a custom profile. See the description of the manageprofiles for more information.

By default, the Profile Management tool federates a custom node when you create a custom profile. Federating the node makes the node operational. You must have access to a running deployment manager to federate the node.

Otherwise, a connection error displays.

If the custom profile is on a machine that does not have a deployment manager, then the deployment manager must be accessible over the network to support the federation of the node.

Procedure

  1. Install the product to create the core product files.
  2. Start the Profile Management tool to create a new runtime environment.

    Select the Profile Management tool from the First steps console:

    1. Open a command prompt.
    2. Change directories to the firststeps directory in the profile root directory.
      The profile root varies by the following platforms:
    3. Issue one of the following firststeps command to start the console:
      • [Linux] [HP-UX] [Solaris] [AIX] ./firststeps.sh
      • [Windows] firststeps.bat
    4. Select the Profile Management tool option from the console.

    See the description of the firststeps command for more information.

    Ways to start the wizard

    Several ways exist to start the wizard:
    • At the end of installation, select the check box to launch the Profile Management tool.
    • Issue the command directly from a command prompt.

      The command is in the following directory: The name of the command varies per platform:
      • [Linux] [HP-UX] [Solaris] [AIX] pmt.sh
      • [Windows] pmt.bat
    • Select the Profile Management tool from the First steps console.
    • [Windows] Use the Start menu to access the Profile Management tool. For example, click Start > Programs or All Programs > IBM WebSphere > your_product > Profile Management tool.
      [This information only applies to Version 6.1.0.9 and later running on the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system.] [Fix Pack 9 or later] Running the Profile Management tool on the Microsoft Windows Vista™ operating system:
      • If the product is installed in the Users directory on the Windows Vista operating system, as recommended, then you can use the standard user privileges of the administrator account to create new profiles without requiring administrator elevation.
      • If the product is installed in the Program Files directory, then launch the Profile Management tool by performing the following actions:
        1. Perform one of the following actions:
          • Right-click a Profile Management tool shortcut.
          • In Windows Explorer, right-click the pmt.bat file that is located in the app_server_root/bin/ProfileManagement directory.
        2. Click Run As Administrator.
    • [Linux] Use the Linux operating system menus that you use to start programs to start the Profile Management tool. For example, click the_operating_system_menus_to_access_programs > IBM WebSphere > your_product > Profile Management tool.
  3. Click Next on the Welcome panel.

    The wizard displays the Profile type selection panel.

  4. Select the custom profile, and click Next.

    The Profile creation options panel is displayed.

  5. Select either Typical profile creation or Advanced profile creation, and click Next.

    The Typical profile creation option creates a profile that uses default configuration settings. With the Advanced profile creation option, you can specify your own configuration values for a profile.

    If you chose not to deploy the administrative console, then the administrative console ports are disabled on the Ports panel.

  6. Select either Typical profile creation, Advanced profile creation, or if you are running on Version 6.1.0.21 or later, Feature Pack for Web Services, and then click Next.

    The Typical profile creation or Feature Pack for Web Services option creates a profile that uses default configuration settings. With the Advanced profile creation option, you can specify your own configuration values for a profile.

    If you chose not to deploy the administrative console, then the administrative console ports are disabled on the Ports panel.

  7. If you selected Typical profile creation, or Feature Pack for Web Services, then go to the step on federating the node.
  8. If you selected Advanced profile creation, then specify the custom profile name and the profile directory on the Profile name and location panel, or accept the defaults, and click Next.
    Profile naming guidelines: Double-byte characters are supported. The profile name can be any unique name with the following restrictions. Do not use any of the following characters when naming your profile:
    • Spaces
    • Special characters that are not supported within the name of a directory on your operating system, such as *&?
    • Slashes (/) or (\)

    The default profile

    The first profile that you create on a machine is the default profile. The default profile is the default target for commands that are issued from the bin directory in the product installation root. When one profile exists on a machine, every command works on the only server process in the configuration. You can make another profile the default profile when you create that profile by checking Make this profile the default on the Profile name and location panel of the Advanced profile creation path.

    Addressing a profile in a multiprofile environment

    When multiple profiles exist on a machine, certain commands require that you specify the profile to which the command applies. These commands use the -profileName parameter to identify which profile to address. You might find it easier to use the commands that are in the bin directory of each profile.

    The commands are found in the following location: A command has two lines. Set the WAS_USER_SCRIPT environment variable on the first line for the command prompt. You use the variable to set up the command environment to address the profile. Use the second line to call the command in the following location:

    Use the command to query the command shell to determine the calling profile and to autonomically address the command to the calling profile.

    Default profile information

    The default profile name is profileTypeProfileName, where:
    • profileType is a value of AppSrv, DMgr, or Custom.
    • ProfileName is a sequential number that is used to create a unique profile name.

    [AIX] [HP-UX] [Linux] [Solaris] The default profile directory is app_server_root/profiles, where app_server_root is the installation root.

    [Windows] The default profile directory is app_server_root\profiles, where app_server_root is the installation root.

    The wizard then displays the Node, host, and cell names panel.

  9. Specify the node and host characteristics for the custom profile, and click Next.

    Migration considerations

    If you plan to migrate an installation of Network Deployment Version 5 to Version 6, then use the same cell name for the Version 6 deployment manager that you used for the Version 5 cell. A cell name must be unique whenever the product is running on the same physical machine or cluster of machines, such as a sysplex. Additionally, a cell name must be unique when network connectivity between entities is required either between the cells or from a client that must communicate with each of the cells. Cell names also must be unique if you want to federate their name spaces. Otherwise, you might encounter errors such as a javax.naming.NameNotFoundException exception. In which case, you need to create uniquely named cells.

    After migrating the cell, the Version 5 managed nodes are now managed by the Version 6 deployment manager in compatibility mode. You can migrate individual Version 5 managed nodes in the cell to Version 6. To do so, you must create a Version 6 profile with the same node name as the Version 5 managed node.

    Reserved names: Avoid using reserved folder names as field values. The use of reserved folder names can cause unpredictable results. The following terms are reserved folder names:
    • cells
    • nodes
    • servers
    • clusters
    • applications
    • deployments
    The custom profile has the following characteristics:
    Field Name Default Value Constraints Description
    Node name
    shortHostNameNodeNodeNumber where:
    • shortHostName is the short host name.
    • NodeNumber is a sequential number starting at 01.
    Avoid using the reserved terms.

    Use a unique name within the deployment manager cell.

    If you plan to migrate a Version 5 managed node, then use the same node name for this Version 6 custom profile.

    The name is used for administration within the deployment manager cell to which the custom profile is added. Use a unique name within the deployment manager cell.

    After migrating a Version 5 deployment manager cell to a Version 6 deployment manager, you can migrate the Version 5 custom profiles that are running in compatibility mode in the Version 6 deployment manager.

    Host name

    The long form of the domain name server (DNS) name.

    The host name must be addressable through your network. Use the actual DNS name or IP address of your machine to enable communication with your machine. See additional information about the host name that follows this table.

    Directory path considerations

    [Windows] The number of characters in the profiles_directory_path\profile_name directory must be less than or equal to 80 characters.

    Host name considerations

    The host name is the network name for the physical machine on which the node is installed. The host name must resolve to a physical network node on the server. When multiple network cards exist in the server, the host name or IP address must resolve to one of the network cards. Remote nodes use the host name to connect to and communicate with this node. Selecting a host name that other machines can reach within your network is important. Do not use the generic identifier, localhost, for this value. Also, do not attempt to install WebSphere Application Server products on a machine with a host name that uses characters from the double-byte character set (DBCS). DBCS characters are not supported when used in the host name.

    If you define coexisting nodes on the same computer with unique IP addresses, define each IP address in a domain name server (DNS) look-up table. Configuration files for stand-alone application servers do not provide domain name resolution for multiple IP addresses on a machine with a single network address.

    The value that you specify for the host name is used as the value of the hostName property in configuration documents for the stand-alone application server. Specify the host name value in one of the following formats:
    • Fully qualified domain name server (DNS) host name string, such as xmachine.manhattan.ibm.com
    • The default short DNS host name string, such as xmachine
    • Numeric IP address, such as 127.1.255.3

    The fully qualified DNS host name has the advantages of being totally unambiguous and flexible. You have the flexibility of changing the actual IP address for the host system without having to change the application server configuration. This value for the host name is particularly useful if you plan to change the IP address frequently when using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to assign IP addresses. A format disadvantage is a dependency on DNS. If DNS is not available, then connectivity is compromised.

    The short host name is also dynamically resolvable. A short name format has the added function of being redefined in the local hosts file so that the system can run the application server, even when disconnected from the network. Define the short name as the loopback address, 127.0.0.1, in the hosts file to run disconnected. A format disadvantage is a dependency on DNS for remote access. If DNS is not available, then connectivity is compromised.

    A numeric IP address has the advantage of not requiring name resolution through DNS. A remote node can connect to the node that you name with a numeric IP address without DNS being available. A format disadvantage is that the numeric IP address is fixed. You must change the setting of the hostName property in Express configuration documents whenever you change the machine IP address. Therefore, do not use a numeric IP address if you use DHCP, or if you change IP addresses regularly. Another format disadvantage is that you cannot use the node if the host is disconnected from the network.

    After specifying custom profile characteristics, the wizard displays the Federation panel.

  10. Specify the host name and SOAP port of the deployment manager, and the user name and password for the deployment manager, if administrative security is enabled for the deployment manager. Click Next.
    After federation, the process in the custom profile is the node agent process. The node agent process is the agent of the deployment manager for the custom node. The node agent responds to commands from the deployment manager to perform tasks that include the following actions:
    • Creating application server processes, clusters, and cluster members
    • Starting and stopping application server processes
    • Synchronizing configurations between the current edition on the deployment manager and the copy that exists on the node
    • Deleting application server processes
    See the system administration section in the information center for more information about node agents and their tasks.

    Should you federate the node?

    The recommendation is that you federate the custom node at this time. The deployment manager must be running and accessible when you click Next on the Federation panel to federate the custom node. If the custom profile is on a machine that does not have a deployment manager, then the deployment manager must be running and accessible over the network to allow the federation of the node. If the deployment manager is not running or not accessible before you click Next, but you can start it and make it accessible at this time, then do so. Otherwise, select the Federate the node later check box.

    If you are unsure whether the deployment manager is running or accessible, then do not federate now. Federate the node when you can verify the availability of the deployment manager.

    A possibility exists that the deployment manager is reconfigured to use the non-default remote method invocation (RMI) as the preferred Java Management Extensions (JMX) connector. Click System Administration > Deployment manager > Administrative services in the administrative console of the deployment manager to verify the preferred connector type.

    If RMI is the preferred JMX connector, then you must use the addNode command to federate the custom profile later. Use the addNode command so that you can specify the JMX connector type and the RMI port.

    If the deployment manager uses the default SOAP JMX connector type, specify the host name and SOAP port and federate the node now to create a functional node that you can customize.

    Federating when the deployment manager is not available

    If you federate a custom node when the deployment manager is not running or is not accessible, then an error message is displayed. If the deployment manager becomes unavailable during the profile creation process, then the installation indicator in the logs is INSTCONFFAIL, to indicate a complete failure. The resulting custom profile is unusable. You must delete the profile. Read about deleting a profile for more information.

    If you chose to federate now, and you previously selected Advanced profile creation, then the Port Values Assignment panel displays next. Go to the step on assigning port values.

    Otherwise, the Profile Creation Summary panel displays.

    The deployment manager must be running and accessible when you click Create so that the profile creation succeeds. Since the deployment manager had to be running and accessible when you clicked on the previous panel, it is most likely still running and accessible. If you think the deployment manager might not be running or might be inaccessible, then follow the recommendations in this step to start and make the deployment manager accessible.

    Go to the step on creating the custom profile.

  11. Verify that the ports specified are unique, and click Next.

    Port conflict resolution:

    If you suspect a port conflict, then you can investigate the port conflict after the profile is created. Determine the ports that are used during profile creation by examining the following files: Included in this file are the keys and values used in setting the ports. If you discover ports conflicts, then you can reassign ports manually. To reassign ports, run the updatePorts.ant file by using the ws_ant script.

    The Profile Creation Summary panel is displayed.

    The deployment manager must be running and accessible when you click Create so that the profile creation succeeds. Since the deployment manager had to be running and accessible when you clicked on the previous panel, it is most likely still running and accessible. If you think the deployment manager might not be running or might be inaccessible, then follow the recommendations in this step to start and make the deployment manager accessible.

  12. Click Create to create the custom profile, or click Back to change the characteristics of the custom profile.

    The Profile creation progress panel, which shows the configuration commands that are running, is displayed.

    When the profile creation completes, the wizard displays the Profile Creation Complete panel.

  13. Optionally select Create another profile, and click Finish.

    If you select Create another profile, then you go to the beginning of the Profile management tool so that you can create another profile. If you do not selection this option, then you exit the wizard.

Results

You created a custom profile. The node within the profile is empty until you federate the node and use the deployment manager to customize the node.

The directory structure shows the new profile folder within the profiles directory. The profile folder has the same name as the profile that you create.

Refer to the description of the manageprofiles command to learn about creating a profile using a command instead of a wizard.

The Profile Management tool creates a log during profile creation. The logs are in the install_dir/logs/manageprofiles directory. The files are named in this pattern: manageprofiles_create_profile_name.log.

What to do next

Federate the node into the deployment manager cell if you did not already do so when you created the node. Then, use the deployment manager to create an application server on the node.

Deploy an application to get started.

Read about fast paths for the product to get started deploying applications.




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Last updatedLast updated: Aug 31, 2013 4:28:44 AM CDT
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