IBM WebSphere Application Server - Express for Windows Version 5.1 - Readme

Welcome to WebSphere Application Server - Express -- the integrated suite of the WebSphere Application Server and the WebSphere Studio tools, powered by Eclipse technology release 2.1.2. To view the latest version of this readme file, go to this Web adddress:  http://www3.software.ibm.com/ibmdl/pub/software/websphere/studiotools/html/51/express51/readme.html

The major enhancements for WebSphere Application Server - Express 5.1 are support for Java 1.4.1 and improved rapid application development features. See the Installation Guide and the Getting Started document for more information.

In order to understand the various deployment options, please note the following:

Table of contents

1.0 Hardware requirements
2.0 Supported software
3.0 Version 5.1 release notes
4.0 About Eclipse
5.0 Where to find more information
6.0 Creating and installing from the installation image

1.0 Hardware requirements

See the Installation guide for the hardware requirements for installing WebSphere Application Server - Express.

2.0 Supported software

For details of software and specifications that are supported by a particular tool in WebSphere Studio, refer to the online help.

Operating systems See the Installation guide for development platforms.
Web browsers
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 with Service Pack 2 or higher.
  • Netscape Navigator Version 4.79 or higher
Java run-time environments (JREs) Version 1.4.1 of the IBM Runtime Environment is automatically installed with WebSphere Application Server - Express.
Application servers WebSphere Application Server - Express 5.0.x and 5.1
Team servers (Note 1) CVS

Notes:

  1. Other SCM repositories can be integrated with WebSphere Studio Site Developer through software configuration management (SCM) team adapters. If you want to work with another SCM provider, SCM team adapters for commercial SCM products are provided by the vendors of those products. To find a list of SCM products and team adapters provided by IBM Business Partners, go to http://www.ibm.com/software/ad/studioappdev/partners/scm.html. From this list, you can access the SCM product vendors' Web sites to download the SCM team adapter of your choice. IBM does not endorse or warrant these team adapters. For support, or further information, please contact the SCM product vendor directly.

3.0 Version 5.1 release notes

Release notes cover release-specific information (such as problems and limitations) that did not become available until after the product documentation was finalized.

For information about known problems and workarounds in the Eclipse base, refer to the readme_eclipse.html file located in the ws_install_dir\SiteDeveloper\eclipse\readme directory (where ws_install_dir is your WebSphere Studio installation directory). This information is available in English only.

For information about what has changed since the previous release, refer to the product overview, which can be accessed from the main menu (Select Help > Help Contents, then select the Product overview book). Details about the new functionality described in the Product overview section can be found in the online help.

4.0 About Eclipse

Eclipse is an open-source project that creates royalty-free technology and a universal platform for tools integration. Eclipse-based tools give developers freedom of choice in a multi-language, multi-platform, multi-vendor environment. Eclipse delivers a framework for developing plug-ins that makes it easier to create, integrate, and use software tools, saving time and money. By collaborating and sharing core integration technology, tool producers can concentrate on their areas of expertise and the creation of new development technology. The Eclipse platform is written in the Java language and comes with extensive toolkits and examples for construction plug-ins. It has already been deployed on a range of operating system environments including Linux, MAC OS X, QNX and Windows based systems. Full details of the Eclipse community and white papers documenting the design of the Eclipse platform are available at www.eclipse.org.

Toolkits and complementary middleware from IBM integrate with the WebSphere Studio environment, allowing you to quickly and easily add new functionality targeted at specific development needs. Plug-in tools from other vendors, also built using the open Eclipse platform, integrate with the WebSphere Studio environment to provide additional value.

5.0 Where to find more information

Installation, migration, and coexistence

Product news, updates, and fixes

Technical articles and sample code

Updates to documentation

For the latest information about WebSphere Application Server - Express beyond what is included in the online help system, see the following Web sites:

6.0 Creating and installing from the installation image  

Before you install the product, check the following:

There are fourteen downloadable parts for IBM WebSphere Application Server - Express. You must download the first thirteen at a minimum; the rest are optional. Refer to the list below for details about what each archive contains. The following is a description of each part:

To download and create the installation image:

  1. Download all the required parts and any optional parts that you need to the same temporary directory.
  2. Launch the wsextract.exe file in this temporary directory.
  3. Wait for the WebSphere Application Server - Express Welcome page to open, and then click Next to read the instructions for creating the installation image.
  4. Click Next to continue creating the installation image.
  5. In the Directory name field, specify the fully-qualified directory of where you want the installation image to be created and then click Next.
  6. Select the features that you want to include in the installation image. At a minimum you will need to select the core installation files. Click Next. The Extract parts page opens to show the progress of the installation image creation. First parts are checked to see if any required parts are missing and then the installation image is created.
  7. When the creation of the installation image completes successfully, you can select the Start the installation wizard now check box, and then click Finish to open the WebSphere Application Server - Express Installation Launchpad window.
  8. Follow the installation instructions as described in the "Installing from the CD-ROM" section of the Installation Guide.

Copyrights and notices

(C) Copyright IBM Corporation 2000, 2003. All Rights Reserved. Note to U.S. Government Users Restricted Rights -- Use, duplication or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp.

IBM, ClearCase, Rational, VisualAge, and WebSphere are trademarks or registered trademarks of IBM Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. 

Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. 

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. 

Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

The following paragraph does not apply to the United Kingdom or any other country where such provisions are inconsistent with local law:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some states do not allow disclaimer of express or implied warranties in certain transactions, therefore, this statement may not apply to you. This information could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication. IBM may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this publication at any time without notices.

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