Deploying shared libraries

You must deploy the necessary shared libraries before you deploy the applications that use them.

1. Create a directory to contain the necessary shared libraries. You can use one directory to contain all libraries or multiple if you want to break up which libraries are in which scope. It is recommended to keep the files in the config directory to make sure they are synchronized with the cluster members. For example this path:
   <DMgr Profile>/config/cells/<cell name>/clusters/<cluster_name>/<shared lib directory>.

   Note: Avoid having your share libraries in other locations (like /lib/ext/) for the cluster members.
2. Create an environment variable for the shared library path at the cluster scope, which you can find in the administrative console under Environment > WebSphere Variables, for example SHARED_LIB_PATH with a value of ${USER_INSTALL_ROOT}/config/cells/<cell_name>/clusters/<cluster_name>/<shared lib directory>.
   Note: Using this structure ensures the path is correct on each cluster member.
3. Create the shared library at the cluster scope by using the variable for the class path, which you can find in the WebSphere administrative console under Environment > Shared libraries.
   For more information, see Creating shared libraries in the WebSphere® Application Server documentation.
4. Choose whether you will be associating your shared library with the server classloader or the classloader for your applications.
   • Add the shared library to each application cluster member server:
     1. Create a class loader for the server by selecting Servers > Server Types > WebSphere application servers > server_name > Java and Process Management > Class loader.
     2. Add the shared library to the classloader which you have created.
     For more information, see Associating shared libraries with servers in the WebSphere Application Server documentation.
   • Add the shared library to each application. With this method you will be mapping the shared library to specific application modules either during deployment or after deployment. For more information, see Associating shared libraries with applications or modules in the WebSphere Application Server documentation.
5. After creating the shared library or when you must modify the files in the shared library, perform these steps:
   1. Add the necessary library files to the shared directory in the deployment manager configuration.
   2. Perform a full node synchronization so the files are propagated to all the nodes.
   3. Restart the cluster members to pickup the changes.