IBM HTTP Server 2.0 support with WebSphere Application Server V4.0
 Technote (FAQ)
 
Problem
Enabling IBM® HTTP Server 2.0 plug-in support with WebSphere® Application Server V4.0 releases prior to V4.0.5.
 
Solution
Statement of support

IBM HTTP Server 2.0 with the WebSphere Application Server plug-in is fully tested and supported with V4.0.5 and all future WebSphere Application Server V4 releases.

V4.0.2 through V4.0.4 supports use of IBM HTTP Server 2.0, after the WebSphere Application Server cumulative plug-in fix, dated Dec 9, 2003 (or later) is installed.

IBM recommends using IBM HTTP Server 2.0 rather than IBM HTTP Server 1.3 whenever possible. IBM also strongly recommends applying the latest WebSphere Application Server cumulative plug-in fix.

Download:
IBM HTTP Server 2.0.x
WebSphere Application Server cumulative plug-in fixes 4.0.x, 5.0.x, 5.1.x

With a support contract, IBM fully supports the following IBM HTTP Server/plug-in combinations with WebSphere Application Server V4.0:

  • IBM HTTP Server 2.0.42.x with V4.0 or V5.0 plug-in
  • IBM HTTP Server 2.0.47.x with V5.1 plug-in

Prerequisites
  • You must have a contract for all installed components if your WebSphere Application Server version does not match the plug-in version . For example, if you enabled WebSphere 5.0 plug-in with WebSphere 4.0 Application Server you must have a contract for both V4.0 and V5.0 versions.


Primary reasons for recommending IBM HTTP Server 2.0 as a Web server for use with WebSphere Application Server V4.0 releases

1. IBM HTTP Server 2.0 is a thread-based Web Server
IBM HTTP Server 1.3 is thread-based on the Microsoft® Windows® platform. It is process-based on all Unix® and Linux® platforms. IBM HTTP Server 2.0 has the advantage of being fully thread-based on all platforms.

Benefits of using a thread-based Web server:
  • Each HTTP and HTTPS request does not require its own HTTPD process, so significantly less memory is needed.
  • Overall performance improves because in most cases new HTTPD processes do not need to be created.
  • The plug-in load-balancing algorithms work more efficiently in a single-process, multithreaded HTTP server.
  • You will see significantly fewer TCP/IP sockets in the CLOSE_WAIT state on the remote Web server side.

    2. IBM HTTP Server 2.0 includes mod_deflate module
    The DEFLATE output filter, mod_deflate, compresses output from the server before sending data to the client. Advantages of using mod_deflate module:
  • Saves network bandwidth during data transmission.
  • Shortens data transmission time.
  • Improves overall performance.

    For details on how to use mod_deflate and some sample configurations, refer to the following document that is available from the Apache Web site:
    http://httpd.apache.org/docs-2.0/mod/mod_deflate.html

    3. New IBM HTTP Server 2.0 codebase
    IBM HTTP Server 2.0 contains a new engine that is the platform for future development. Significant improvements in technology should not be expected in the IBM HTTP Server 1.3.x products.


    Additional resources

    Installing and configuring IBM HTTP Server 2.0
  • IBM HTTP Server library

    Manually configuring the WebSphere Application Server HTTP plug-in for use with IBM HTTP Server 2.0; refer to the following WebSphere Information Center articles
  • For releases of WebSphere Application Server v4.0 and v5.0:
  • Manually configuring supported Web servers
  • plugin-cfg.xml elements and attributes
  • For releases of WebSphere Application server v5.1:
  • Manually configuring supported Web servers
  • plugin-cfg.xml elements and attributes

    Capturing MustGather information needed by IBM to troubleshoot
    WebSphere Application Server HTTP plug-in issues with IBM HTTP Server 2.0
  • MustGather: WebSphere Application Server HTTP plug-in problems
 
 
 


Document Information


Product categories: Software > Application Servers > Distributed Application & Web Servers > WebSphere Application Server > Plug-in
Operating system(s): HP-UX
Software version: 4.0
Software edition:
Reference #: 1108347
IBM Group: Software Group
Modified date: Aug 4, 2004