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

What is new for installers

This version includes many new and changed items. Use this article to plan for installing, updating, or migrating the product.

New The biggest improvement to installation is that now 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 run-time 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.

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

Another big change is the removal of the MQ Series integrated JMS from the shipment and installation of WebSphere Application Server. You can use either a separate MQ Series 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 or .

You also now have the ability to incrementally upgrade nodes in a cell. This new feature is discussed in New: Incremental cell upgrade.

[Version 6.0.2]Platform support as described in the Supported Hardware and Software Web site. A quick summary of new platform support is provided in the Support announcement.

[Version 6.0.2]Verify installation across all installation packages [Version 6.0.2]

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

[Version 6.0.2]  [Version 6.0.2] 
Query product version information

Version 6.0 continues the ability to query product version information, as described in versionInfo command.

   
Support for specific 64-bit platforms Now 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.

For details about IPv6 support, see the support document Restrictions for IPv6-only and IPv4/IPv6 mixed-mode dual stack support and IP version considerations for cells.

[Version 6.0.2]New IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) enhancements include enabling IPv6 client workload to be distributed to back end WAS servers, and extending proxy server support to new 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 con- nections, you get added network reach and flexibility. For details, see the Edge Compoent Information Center.

   
Redesigned launchpad to plan and start installation

A redesigned launch pad on the product disc launches one of the installation programs. See Using the launchpad to start the installation. The launchpad also provides product solution roadmap diagrams to let you decide on the fly what to install where and what to install.

Note to zLinux users: Even though the launchpad links are present, the WebSphere Application Server Application Client is not supported on the zLinux platform. See also the TechNote documenting this limitation.

   
Install only what you need
New, more granular installation procedures simplify installation and improve installation reliability. Installation routines exist for the following components on the product disc.
  • 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.

   
Installing WebSphere Application Server products

In Version 6.0.x, installing WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment 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 is using Profile Creation wizard to create a deployment manager profile, an application server profile, or a custom profile.

   
[Version 6.0.1 and later]Create customized installation packages (CIP) [Version 6.0.1 and later]
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)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Installing IBM HTTP Server

The installation wizard for IBM HTTP Server is redesigned for Version 6.0.x. 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.

   
Installing WebSphere Application Client

A client application processes on a distributed client machine and a host WebSphere Application Server system. A client might provide the GUI, but process data on the host, for example. The Application Client Installation wizard installs environments for running client applications on the client machine. Some environments perform all necessary handshaking and protocol. Thin client environments require client applications to have their own protocols for such things as JNDI lookups.

See Installing Application Client for WebSphere Application Server.

   
The product installation root has changed

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.

See Directory conventions for more information.

Additional directory structure changes are introduced, as described in New: Improved installation and configuration, with profiles.

   
Improved installation documentation

New installation documentation on the product disc helps you retrieve relevant information. For an overview of the installation section, see Overview and new features for installing an application serving environment.

   
Simplified setup and prerequisites

Redesigned product features simplify operating system setup and reduce prerequisite requirements. For details, see Preparing the operating system for product installation and Hardware and software requirements.

   
Smaller footprint

A redesigned installer simplifies the installation of the core product files for WebSphere Application Server products. You do not have to install the core product files multiple times to create multiple stand-alone application servers. Instead, use the new 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 for more information.

   
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 for information about using the IBM Update Installer for WebSphere Software to install interim fixes, fix packs, and refresh packs.

   
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 WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment.

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

See Uninstalling the product for more information.

   
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, as described in Using the installation verification tools.

   
Silent installation requires license acceptance

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

See responsefile.nd.txt for more information.

   
New migration wizard

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

See Using the Migration wizard for additional information.




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

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Last updated: Dec 11, 2005 4:07:15 PM CST
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