Configuring the Application Server

Application Server domains are logical or physical units created to help the administrator manage a system configuration. A domain is broken down into smaller units including instances. A server instance is a single Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that runs the Application Server on a single physical machine. Each domain has one or more instance.

Creating a Domain

Domains are created using the create-domain command. The following example command creates a domain named mydomain. The administration server listens on port 1234 and the administrative user name is admin. The command prompts for the administrative and master passwords.

$ asadmin create-domain --adminport 80 --adminuser admin mydomain

To start the Admin Console for mydomain domain, in a browser, enter the following URL:

http://hostname:80

For the preceding create-domain example, the domain’s log files, configuration files, and deployed applications now reside in the following directory:

domain-root-dir/mydomain

To create the domain’s directory in another location, specify the --domaindir option. For the full syntax of the command, type asadmin help create-domain.

Deleting a Domain

Domains are deleted using the asadmin delete-domain command. Only the operating system user (or root) who can administer the domain can execute this command successfully. To delete a domain named mydomain, for example, type the following command:

$ asadmin delete-domain mydomain

Listing Domains

The domains created on a machine can be found using the asadmin list-domains command. To list the domains in the default domain-root-dir directory, type this command:

$ asadmin list-domains

To list domains that were created in other directories, specify the --domaindir option.

Starting the Domain

When starting a domain, the administration server and application server instance are started. Once the application server instance is started it runs constantly, listening for and accepting requests.

To start a domain, type the asadmin start-domain command and specify the domain name. For example, to start the default domain (domain1), type the following:

$ asadmin start-domain --user admin domain1

For the full command syntax, type asadmin help start-domain. If the password data is omitted, you are prompted to supply it.

On Windows, to start the default domain:

From the Windows Start Menu, select Programs -> Sun Microsystems -> Application Server -> Start Admin Server.

Stopping the Domain

Stopping a domain shuts down its administration server and application server instance. When stopping a domain, the server instance stops accepting new connections and then waits for all outstanding connections to complete. This process takes a few seconds because the server instance must complete its shutdown process. While the domain is stopped, the Admin Console or most asadmin commands cannot be used.

To stop a domain, type the asadmin stop-domain command and specify the domain name. For example, to stop the default domain (domain1), type the following:

$ asadmin stop-domain domain1

If there is only one domain, then the domain name is optional. For the full syntax, type asadmin help stop-domain.

On Windows, to stop the default domain:

From the Start menu select Programs -> Sun Microsystems -> Application Server-> Stop Admin Server.