You can install WebSphere Application Server products on distributed operating systems in two ways, from the discs in the product package or by downloading installation images from the Passport Advantage site, if you are licensed to do so. Distributed operating systems include AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Solaris, and Windows systems.
The installation procedure on distributed platforms uses the InstallShield MultiPlatform (ISMP) program to perform the installation. You can use the installation wizard in graphical interface mode or in silent mode. In silent mode, the installation wizard does not display a graphical interface, but instead, reads your responses from a flat file that you prepare beforehand.
The base product creates a standalone application server process during installation. You can create other standalone application servers using the Profile Management tool. Each process is created in a profile. The core product files do not change unless you install a maintenance package.
You can create any number of application servers on a single machine. Although each profile is unique, with its own configuration, applications, data, logs, and administrative console, all of the servers share one set of command files and other product binary files. Changes that you make to one server profile do not affect the other servers. Configuration documents are maintained within each profile.
The manageprofiles command and its graphical user interface, the Profile Management tool, create multiple standalone application servers.
Each product package includes an operating system-specific Quick Start disc, unless it is a value-add tool that does not run on the main product operating system. Some operating systems have more than one product disc, such as a disc for an operating system running on a 32-bit hardware platform versus a disc for a 64-bit platform.
The product disc only contains WebSphere Application Server for either the 32-bit or 64-bit architectures. Also included in the media box is the WebSphere Application Server supplements disc. Use the supplements disc to access installation programs and documentation for the Application Client, IBM Support Assistant, Update Installer, GSKit, IBM HTTP Server, Installation Factory, and Web server plug-ins. You can also use the migration tools from this disc or copy the tools to your system.
See your IBM representative for licensing information, or visit the How to buy WebSphere Application Server software Web site.