Preparing IBM i systems for installation

Select the product components that you intend to install and verify that the product prerequisites are met. Also, plan for the amount of time required to perform each step of the installation.

1. Determine if WebSphere® Application Server is already installed on your server.
   1. Enter the Display Software Resources (DSPSFWRSC) command on a CL command line.
   2. Look for an entry with the product Resource ID 5733W90.
      • If you do not find the product Resources ID, then this product has not been installed on your IBM i server.
      • If a previous version of WebSphere Application Server is installed on your server, review the product documentation for running coexisting application servers before you install the new version.
   3. Read the migration documentation if you plan to migrate from the previous version to this version.
2. Print the Checklist: Installing WebSphere Application Server on the IBM i platform to use as a checklist during the installation process.
3. Determine the time requirements for installation.

   Plan to set aside enough time for each step of the process. Depending on your server specifications, the process may take more or less time than the estimates provided in this documentation.

   Attention: The installation process might require at least one initial program load (IPL or restart) of the server if you need to install an IBM i cumulative PTF package.

   Table 1. Tasks for preparing your operating system

   Task	Estimated time
   Preparing for the installation
   Reading release notes and migration instructions, and verifying hardware and software prerequisites	1-2 hours1
   Obtaining the product and current fixes	Up to 2 weeks
   Installing any additional products and IBM i cumulative PTF package	1-2 hours
   Installing WebSphere Application Server
   Installing WebSphere Application Server on your IBM i server2	45-120 minutes
   Installing WebSphere Application Server FixPack (depends on your system)	Up to 2 hours
   Creating an initial configuration	30 minutes
   Starting WebSphere Application Server for the first time	1-20 minutes
   Verifying the installation	10 minutes

   ¹ This estimate applies if all product prerequisites are met. It does not take into account the time required to install additional prerequisite software.

   ² Actual time requirement depends on the method used.

4. Read the product release notes for important information about the product.

   See the Release notes.

5. Verify that your system meets all hardware and software prerequisites, and install prerequisite software if necessary.

   Verify that the IBM i prerequisites are satisfied. Install prerequisite software if necessary.

   If you are running an IBM i server that does not meet the minimum recommended hardware requirements for WebSphere Application Server, you can still install and run the product. However, the WebSphere Application Server environment might run slowly, and your applications might not run successfully.

   See IBM i prerequisites for more information.

6. Verify that your workstation meets all hardware and software prerequisites, and install prerequisite software if necessary.
7. Obtain and install the correct IBM i cumulative PTF package.

   See Cumulative PTFs for IBM i for more information.

8. Obtain the WebSphere Application Server product and current fixes.

   Before you install WebSphere Application Server for IBM i, you need to obtain the application server product and current fixes.

   • WebSphere Application Server Version 9.0 for IBM i

     For information about how to order the product, see the WebSphere Application Server for IBM i Version 9.0 Overview.

   • Cumulative PTFs

     WebSphere Application Server Version 9.0 for IBM i was tested on a specific IBM i cumulative PTF package level.

     To view the cumulative PTF package tested, see WebSphere Application Server.

     From the PTFs page, select the link for your operating system release level. On the resulting page, click the Cumulative Package link.

     You can install and run WebSphere Application Server Version 9.0 for IBM i successfully on earlier or later cumulative PTF packages.

     See Determining the proper cumulative PTF level on IBM i for more information about determining the cumulative PTF package level for your server.

   • Fix Packs

     The IBM i group PTFs are no longer provided in WebSphere Application Server Version 9.0. Instead, update the product by installing fix packs. For more information, see Installing and uninstalling fix packs.