IBM i prerequisites

Before you install WebSphere® Application Server, verify that your hardware and software meet the minimum requirements.

Hardware requirements

Overall system requirements vary based on actual workload requirements. Use IBM® Systems Workload Estimator for sizing assistance.

The following information provides minimum memory requirements.

Any partition that runs WebSphere Application Server requires a minimum of 2 GB of memory.
This memory requirement is in addition to memory that is required for any other applications that run on your IBM i server. These requirements are based on a single WebSphere Application Server profile.
Each additional profile that runs concurrently requires a minimum of 1 GB of memory.

Systems that do not meet the recommended memory minimums might be used in environments that support a limited number of users and where longer server initialization times are acceptable.

Deployments that must support many users or require shorter response times might require more resources beyond the recommended minimums for memory.

Installation of all features and products requires approximately 2 GB of disk space. This estimate includes the following products, components, and features:

Main application server product installation
Profiles
Sample applications
IBM HTTP Server Web Server plug-ins
Application Client for WebSphere Application Server

IBM i software requirements

The following software is required:

IBM i versions and releases that support WebSphere Application Server. See the compatibility reports.
- The IBM i server must be in an unrestricted state.
- Your user profile must have *ALLOBJ and *SECADM special authorities.
Java™
The following Java product versions are required to use or install WebSphere Application Server Version 9.0:
- V7R3
  - IBM Java SE 8 32 bit (5770-JV1 option 16)
    Use the 32-bit version with Installation Manager only.
  - IBM Java SE 8 64 bit (5770-JV1 option 17)
    Use the 64-bit version with the application server only.
- V7R4
  - IBM Java SE 8 32 bit (5770-JV1 option 16)
    Use the 32-bit version with Installation Manager only.
  - IBM Java SE 8 64 bit (5770-JV1 option 17)
    Use the 64-bit version with the application server only.
- V7R5
  - IBM Java SE 8 32 bit (5770-JV1 option 16)
    Use the 32-bit version with Installation Manager only.
  - IBM Java SE 8 64 bit (5770-JV1 option 17)
    Use the 64-bit version with the application server only.
IBM i Qshell (5770-SS1 option 30)
Required to run installation scripts and to use other scripts in WebSphere Application Server.
IBM i Extended Base Directory Support (5770-SS1 option 3)
Required for installation.
IBM i Portable Application Solutions Environment (5770-SS1 option 33)
Required to use Tivoli® Performance Viewer.
IBM i Host Servers (5770-SS1 option 12)
Required for installation.
IBM i Digital Certificate Manager (5770-SS1 option 34)
Required for installation to use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol.

HTTP server on IBM i

An HTTP server is not required for installation, but is recommended for production environments that use servlets and JSP files. If you deploy only enterprise beans, you do not need an HTTP server instance.

You can install IBM HTTP Server or a different HTTP server. For more information, see the topic about configuring HTTP Server for IBM i.