Configuring UTF-8 support in WebSphere Application Server

The WebFacing Tool creates Web applications with multiple language support. Because languages use different character sets, data streams between the browser and WebSphere Application Server are UTF-8 encoded. For WebFacing J2EE 1.2 projects to work correctly, UTF-8 support must be configured in the WebSphere Application Server administrative console. Refer to the section of this document pertaining to the version of the application server that you are using for the steps to follow to configure UTF-8 support.
Note: Only use application server instances or servers configured for UTF-8 support with Web applications that use UTF-8 encoding. UTF-8 and non-UTF-8 applications cannot be run on the same instance or server.
Related concepts
Deployment descriptor

Configuring UTF-8 support in WebSphere Application Server 6.0 (Standard and Express)

Note: Manually configuring UTF-8 support in WebSphere Application 5.0 is only required if you chose J2EE 1.2 as the J2EE level for your WebFacing application. The J2EE level is chosen in the J2EE setting page of the WebFacing Project wizard before a project is converted. If you chose J2EE 1.3, no manual configuration for UTF-8 is required. J2EE 1.3 is the recommended level if you are deploying to version 5.
  1. Log on to the browser based Administrative Console. Generally, after you have installed WebSphere Application Server on your server, the URL for the Administrative Console is: http://server_name:9090/admin/.
  2. In the navigation on the left side of the Administrative Console, select Servers > Application Servers.
  3. Click the link for the server you are working with.
  4. Select the Configuration tab.
  5. In the Additional Properties section of the screen, select Custom Properties.
  6. Click New.
  7. In the Name field, enter client.encoding.override . In the Value field, enter UTF-8 .
  8. Click OK. If you receive a message that the configuration needs to be saved, save the configuration.
  9. Restart the server.

Configuring UTF-8 support in WebSphere Application Server 5.0 (Standard and Express)

Note: Manually configuring UTF-8 support in WebSphere Application 5.0 is only required if you chose J2EE 1.2 as the J2EE level for your WebFacing application. The J2EE level is chosen in the J2EE setting page of the WebFacing Project wizard before a project is converted. If you chose J2EE 1.3, no manual configuration for UTF-8 is required. J2EE 1.3 is the recommended level if you are deploying to version 5.
  1. Log on to the browser based Administrative Console. Generally, after you have installed WebSphere Application Server on your server, the URL for the Administrative Console is: http://server_name:9090/admin/.
  2. In the navigation on the left side of the Administrative Console, select Servers > Application Servers.
  3. Click the link for the server you are working with.
  4. Select the Configuration tab.
  5. In the Additional Properties section of the screen, select Custom Properties.
  6. Click New.
  7. In the Name field, enter client.encoding.override . In the Value field, enter UTF-8 .
  8. Click OK. If you receive a message that the configuration needs to be saved, save the configuration.
  9. Restart the server.