Interoperating multiple application server versions

WebSphere® Application Server Version 7.0 is interoperable with other versions of the product under certain conditions.

Before you begin

Read Overview of migration, coexistence, and interoperability and Premigration considerations. For resources to help you plan and perform your migration, visit Knowledge Collection: Migration planning for WebSphere Application Server.

WebSphere Application Server Version 7.0 is generally interoperable with WebSphere Application Server Version 5.1.x and Version 6.x. However, there are specific requirements to address for each version. In general, you should apply the latest fix level to support interoperability. If this is not possible, then the following interim fixes can be used to support your environment.

You can upgrade a portion of the nodes in a cell to WebSphere Application Server Version 7.0 while leaving others at the older release level. This means that, for a period of time, you might be administering servers that are at the current release and servers that are running the newer release in the same cell.
Restrictions on using mixed-release cells:
  • A mixed-release environment where some members are at an older release level might have some restrictions. For details, read the "Creating application servers" article in the information center.
  • A WebSphere Application Server, Network Deployment cell can contain mixed releases of Version 5.1.x or Version 6.x nodes, but there is no mixed-node management support for Version 6.0.0.x and Version 6.0.1.x.
    The Version 7.0 migration tools still migrate these nodes during deployment-manager migration, but they issue a warning message that the nodes cannot be managed by the Version 7.0 deployment manager. You can then do one of the following based on your needs:
    • Upgrade all Version 6.0.0.x and Version 6.0.1.x nodes to at least Version 6.0.2. This will allow them to be administered by a Version 7.0 deployment manager.
    • Migrate these nodes to Version 7.0.
  • If you want to interoperate Version 7.0 with Version 5.1.x, you must be at or above the Version 5.1.1.1 level. Older levels of Version 5.1 do not support interoperability with Version 7.0.
  • You cannot add a Version 5.1.x node to an existing cell managed by a Version 7.0 deployment manager. You can only include a Version 5.1.x node in a Version 7.0 mixed-release cell through migration. First, migrate the Version 5.1.x deployment manager to Version 7.0; and then either keep the nodes at Version 5.1.x or migrate them to Version 7.0.

Procedure

  1. Apply required interim fixes.

    All fixes are available on the Support site for WebSphere Application Server products.

  2. Follow the required guidelines for WebSphere Application Server Version 5.1.x.
    Guideline 1:
    Be aware of the level of WebSphere Application Server in which each function you use is supported. Applications that you intend to be interoperable must only use function that is supported by all levels of WebSphere Application Server in the cluster. For example, applications that use the commonj.timer.TimerManager resource, which was new in Version 6.0, should not be deployed to a cluster including both Version 5.1.x and Version 7.0 servers.
    Guideline 2:
    If you run related cross-domain interoperating applications (one server is in rtp.raleigh.ibm.com and the other is in cn.ibm.com for example), you need to use fully qualified host names (host9.rtp.raleigh.ibm.com instead of just host9 for example) when installing WebSphere Application Server Version 7.0.
  3. Upgrade the Software Development Kit (SDK) used to one supported by Version 7.0.

    Read Recommended fixes for WebSphere Application Server for more information.

What to do next

This information is dynamic and might be augmented by information in technical articles that are available on the IBM® DeveloperWorks WebSphere site. Check the site for the latest information.

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Last updated: Oct 22, 2010 2:38:49 AM CDT
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