Installing Merant SequeLink JDBC provider for use with IBM WebSphere Application Server and Oracle on AIX

IBM WebSphere Application Server supports the use of the Merant SequeLink JDBC provider with Oracle databases. The Merant product provides the Oracle database with JDBC functionality.

The instructions in this article describe how to install Merant SequeLink for use with a single configuration of WebSphere Application Server that uses:

  • AIX 4.3.3
  • IBM Java 2TM Software Developer's Kit (SDK) 1.3.0
  • IBM HTTP Server 1.3.19 (or another supported Web server)
  • A supported Oracle database
  • A supported Merant SequeLink Server for Oracle on AIX
  • A Merant SequeLink driver (supplied with WebSphere Application Server)
  • A single node

Prerequisite conditions

These instructions assume the following:

  • You have checked the WebSphere Application Server Supported Hardware, Software, and APIs Web site at www.ibm.com/software/webservers/appserv/doc/latest/prereq.html to identify the products and fix levels that are supported with WebSphere Application Server 4.0.
  • You have installed a supported Web server and Oracle database server. For links to installation instructions on AIX, see the article IBM WebSphere Application Server for AIX.
  • You have installed WebSphere Application Server specifying Merant as the administrative database. Note that although you have specified Merant as the administrative database so that WebSphere Application Server uses its JDBC provider, you will configure communications between Merant and Oracle so that Oracle is actually used as the database.

Steps for installation

Perform the following steps to enable the Merant SequeLink JDBC provider for use with Oracle as the administrative database for WebSphere Application Server:

  1. Before the Merant driver is used ensure that the Merant SequeLink driver files, sljc.jar and sljcx.jar, (supplied with WebSphere Application Server in the directory /usr/WebSphere/AppServer/lib, by default) are both included in the value for the CLASSPATH environment variable (com.ibm.ejs.sm.adminserver.classpath) in the administrative server configuration file, /usr/WebSphere/AppServer/bin/admin.config.
  2. Install the Merant SequeLink Server for Oracle without a registration key on the same machine as the Oracle database product with which you want to use the Merant driver. See the article Installing the Merant SequeLink Server without a registration key.
  3. Perform any configuration necessary to establish communications between the Oracle database and the Merant SequeLink Server. See the Merant DataDirect web site at www.merant.com/products/datadirect/download/docs/dochome.asp.
  4. Start the WebSphere administrative server by using the startupServer.sh script as follows:
    # cd /usr/WebSphere/AppServer/bin
    # startupServer.sh

Troubleshooting

The database configuration and tables must be correct in order for WebSphere Application Server to start. If the administrative server starts, then the configuration is successful.

If the administration server does not start, try to determine the problem as follows:

  • Use the database management system to check that the database tables were created successfully. If they were not, then double-check the database settings.
  • Open the following files in a text editor to confirm that the settings are configured correctly for your system:
    • /usr/WebSphere/AppServer/bin/admin.config
    • /usr/WebSphere/AppServer/properties/initial_setup.config
  • Investigate typical reasons that the administrative server fails to start in the Troubleshooting section of the InfoCenter.
  • Check the product Release Notes for WebSphere Application Server version-specific problems and solutions.