Configuring IBM WebSphere 7.0

In this section:

This section explains how to configure WebSphere Application Server with or without IBM HTTP Server for use with WebFOCUS and ReportCaster. It is assumed that WebSphere components are installed and configured. You should refer to the WebSphere documentation for additional information.


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Java Version Requirement

How to:

As of WebFOCUS 8, Java Version 1.6 is the minimum version required on the system that is hosting the application server where the WebFOCUS Reporting Server and ReportCaster Distribution Server are deployed.

Important: For IBM WebSphere Application Server Version 7.0, apply the IBM WebSphere Application Server feature pack for OSGI applications and Java persistence API 2.0.



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Procedure: How to Apply the IBM APAR

To apply the IBM APAR:

  1. In the administrative console, expand the Servers node and select Application Servers.
  2. Click the server to which the custom property is to be applied.
  3. Under Configuration and Container settings, expand the Web Container Settings node, and select Web Container.
  4. Under Configuration and Additional Properties, click Custom Properties.

    The Custom Properties page opens.

  5. Click New.
  6. Enter the following in the Name field exactly as shown.
    com.ibm.ws.jsp.jdkSourceLevel
  7. Enter the following in the Value field exactly as shown:
    16
  8. Click Apply or OK.

    The Messages dialog box opens.

  9. Click Save.

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WebSphere Pre-Deployment Steps

How to:

Before deploying WebFOCUS web Applications, you should configure WebSphere for WebFOCUS graphs.



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Procedure: How to Configure WebSphere for WebFOCUS Graphs

To generate graphs, WebFOCUS Servlets either need access to an X Windows Server (through the DISPLAY variable), or they can use the Java VM headless option.



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Procedure: How to Set the WebSphere CLASSPATH for the WebFOCUS Repository

If you use ReportCaster, the CLASSPATH variable must include the JDBC driver of your repository. You can set CLASSPATH using the WebSphere Administrative Console.

Note: If you use InfoAssist, you may need to increase the default Java memory options as explained in Java Memory Issues. This can be done at a later time if needed, but it is done from the same area of the WebSphere Administrative Console as setting CLASSPATH.

  1. Start WebSphere if it is not already running.
  2. Log on to the WebSphere Administrative Console through a browser.
  3. On the left, expand Servers/Server Types.
  4. On the left, click WebSphere application servers.
  5. Click the server where you will deploy WebFOCUS.
  6. For WebSphere, under Server Infrastructure, click Java and Process Management.
  7. Click Process Definition.
  8. Under Additional Properties, click Java Virtual Machine.

    Note: If you need to change the Java VM memory options discussed in Java Memory Issues, you can specify the options in the Generic JVM arguments field.

  9. In the Classpath field, specify the absolute path of the JDBC driver, including the file name or names. For example:
    /home/oraclejdbc/ojdbc6.jar
  10. Click OK.
  11. On the top of the page, click Save.
  12. On the page that appears, click Save to save the master configuration.
  13. Restart the application server.

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Deploying Web Applications

How to:

Use the WebSphere Administrative Console, to deploy (install) the WebFOCUS web application. Repeat this procedure for each web application you need to deploy.

The web applications are located in the following directory:

/install_directory/ibi/WebFOCUS80/webapps

All web applications should be deployed.

Web Application

Purpose

webfocus.war

Always deploy this web application.

ibi_help.war

Always deploy this web application.

approot.war

Deploy this web application if you are using an application server only configuration.

You can use the default WebSphere instance or create a new instance using the WebSphere Administrative Console. See your IBM documentation if you wish to create new instances or virtual hosts.



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Procedure: How to Deploy (Install) a Web Application With WebSphere 7.0
  1. If it is not open, access the WebSphere Administrative Console through a browser. For example:
    http://hostname:9060/ibm/console
  2. On the left, expand Applications.

    Note: If you want to deploy new instances of WebFOCUS but keep your old version, you must install WebFOCUS with different ports and new context roots.

  3. On the left, click [Install] New Application.
  4. On the right, select New Enterprise Application.
  5. Select the Remote file system radio button. In the full path field, type in the name of your application with its full path. Click Next. For example:
    /install_directory/ibi/WebFOCUS80/webapps/webfocus.war

    Note: In WebFOCUS 8, there is one web application in the WebFOCUS80 webapps directory, which contains the WebFOCUS Client and ReportCaster (ibi_apps).

    /install_directory/ibi/WebFOCUS80/webapps/ibi_help.war

    and

    /install_directory/ibi/WebFOCUS80/webapps/approot.war
  6. Select Detailed and then click Next.
  7. Click Continue.
  8. On the Select Installation Options screen, change the application name to something unique in the Application name field. For example, prefix the application name with the name of the cluster or app server. Click Next.
  9. On the Map Modules to Servers screen, select the application listed on the bottom (for example, WebFOCUS). Then, while holding the Ctrl key, select the cluster or application server to which you will deploy and any web servers you will be using. Click Apply and then click Next.
  10. For steps 3 to 6, accept the default values and click Next. For step 7, Map virtual hosts for Web Modules, select the application and the virtual host you defined earlier and click Next.
  11. Set the context root for the web application. For this example, set it to /ibi_apps. Click Next.
  12. Review the summary screen and then click Finish to deploy.

    When the application deployment is complete, click Save directly to the master configuration.


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Verifying the WebFOCUS Configuration With IBM WebSphere

How to:

After configuring WebSphere components, verify operability.



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Procedure: How to Verify the WebFOCUS Configuration
  1. If they are not started, start the following:
    • WebFOCUS Reporting Server
    • IBM HTTP and WebSphere Application Servers
  2. Type the following case-sensitive URL to access the WebFOCUS Welcome page that provides links to all WebFOCUS features:
    http://hostname:port/ibi_apps

    You may wish to bookmark this page for future use. This page is also referred to as the WebFOCUS home page.

  3. Proceed to WebFOCUS Post-Installation Tasks, and run the verification tool. If you use ReportCaster, be sure to review WebFOCUS ReportCaster Post-Installation Tasks .

Be aware that you may need to increase your Java memory settings if you use InfoAssist. You can do this later, as explained in Java Memory Issues.


WebFOCUS