Variables in the WebSphere environment come in many varieties. Variables are used to control settings and properties relating to the server environment. Three main variable options that are important for a WebSphere Application Server user to know and understand are custom properties, environment variables, and WebSphere Application Server-specific variables.
WebSphere Application Server variables
WebSphere variables are specified in the administrative console by clicking Environment > Manage WebSphere variables. How the WebSphere variable is set determines its scope.
A variable can apply to a cell, a cluster, a node, or a server.
Custom properties
Custom properties are property settings meant for a specific functional component. Any configuration element can have a custom property. Common configuration elements are cell, node, server, Web container, and transaction service. A limited number of supported custom properties are available and these properties can be set in the administrative console using the custom properties link that is associated with the functional component.
Custom properties set from the Web container custom properties page apply to all transports that are associated with that Web container; custom properties set from one of the Web container transport chains custom properties pages apply only to a specific transport chain. If the same properties are set on both pages, the settings on the transport chain page override the settings that are defined on the Web container page for that specific transport.
Related tasks
Introduction: Environment
Related reference
Session management custom properties
Web container custom properties
Related information
HTTP transport custom properties