IP version considerations for cells

There are compatibility issues to consider when configuring the IP version for cells.

WebSphere Application Server support for Internet Protocol Version 4 only

WebSphere Application Server has support for Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6). However, on the i5/OS platform, WebSphere Application Server V6 supports IPv4 only.

When defining a node, you must specify the host name as a string or as a 32-bit numerical address.

Specifying host names

When you create a new profile, you can optionally specify the host name for the profile by using the -hostName parameter. If you do not specify the host name, the host name for the profile defaults to the fully qualified host name for the iSeries server. If you choose to use the -hostName parameter and want to specify the IP address for your iSeries server, specify the valid 32-bit numerical address.

Multicast configuration

WebSphere Application Server uses multicast broadcasting at the node level to allow a node agent to discover the managed processes in the node. IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are not compatible. Therefore, to allow a WebSphere Application Server node to run after initial installation, both IPv4 and IPv6 multicast addresses are initially defined in the node agent configuration, and when a node agent starts, both addresses are tried in sequence. Delete the NODE_IPV6_MULTICAST_DISCOVERY_ADDRESS address after installation because limiting multicast discovery to the known protocol, the node agent runs more efficiently.

The configuration of the multicast address depends on whether the cells have the same or different cell names. The following conditions apply:
  • If each cell has a different cell name, the configuration can share the same multicast address. The system operates correctly because packets from other cells are filtered out as needed. However, for greater efficiency and to reduce unnecessary communication, use a different multicast addresses for nodes that reside on the same host. You can make the multicast address unique for each cell so that all nodes within a cell use the same IP address and port. Or, you can make the address unique for every node within each cell. To make the address unique, assign a unique D-class IP address for each host or assign a unique port value for every node. It is sufficient to keep the IP address the same and make the port unique for each node.
  • If the cells have the same cell name and they reside within the same subnet, use a different multicast address for each cell.



Related tasks
Deleting the Internet Protocol Version 4 or the Internet Protocol Version 6 multicast port
Related reference
Java virtual machine settings
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Last updatedLast updated: Aug 30, 2013 10:47:11 PM CDT
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