Limitations for setting up a cluster

Certain limitations apply when you set up a WebSphere® Portal cluster.

  • You must install WebSphere Portal as a stand-alone node before you create a cluster. You cannot install WebSphere Portal into a managed node.
  • AIX® IBM® i Linux Solaris Windows: Except for the initial setup of the cluster, WebSphere Portal is not supported on a managed node that is not part of a cluster.
    Note: A cluster can be created which contains only one WebSphere Portal server, enabling a single WebSphere Portal server to be operational in a managed cell.
  • You cannot use the Derby database. The WebSphere Portal databases must be transferred to a supported external database, for example: DB2®, Oracle, or SQL Server .
  • In a clustered environment, it is not possible to change settings through the Global Settings portlet or the XML configuration interface. These changes must be made by modifying the respective properties in the WebSphere Integrated Solutions Console.
  • To support search, you must install and configure a remote search service on an application server node that is not part of the cluster.
  • Administrative actions for WebSphere Portal are immediately visible for the user who completes them. However, another user can be assured of seeing the changes only if the user logs out of WebSphere Portal and then logs back in. This limitation applies to both cluster and non-cluster environments.
  • When you create a cluster or a cluster member, do not use spaces in the cluster name or the cluster member name.
  • IBM i limitations: Installation in a mixed node environment is not supported in an IBM i environment.
  • For the deployment manager and each WebSphere Portal node to be in the cluster, verify that each system clock is set to within 5 minutes of the others or the addNode command fails.
Restriction: The serverName is hardcoded to WebSphere Portal. The serverName cannot be changed in a stand-alone environment. If you do change it, the ConfigEngine scripts do not work. For a clustered environment, see Technote 1370392 for options on replacing the WebSphere Portal JVM.