1 Installation Overview

Oracle Web Tier contains two main components: Oracle HTTP Server and Oracle Web Cache. Oracle Process Manager and Notification Server (OPMN) is also installed by default. Together, these products are responsible for managing incoming HTTP requests, caching web messages, and sending XML and HTML back to the client.

The Oracle Web Tier installation will give you the option of installing Oracle HTTP Server and Oracle Web Cache. Oracle Process Manager and Notification Server is automatically installed and you will not have the option to de-select this product.

The chapter includes the following sections:

• Section 1.1, "Oracle Web Tier Components"

• Section 1.2, "Installation Roadmap"

• Section 1.3, "Oracle Web Tier Directory Structure"

1.1 Oracle Web Tier Components

Oracle Web Tier contains the following components:

• Oracle HTTP Server

  Oracle HTTP Server provides a listener for Oracle WebLogic Server and the framework for hosting static pages, dynamic pages, and applications over the Web. It is based on Apache 2.2.10 infrastructure, and includes modules developed specifically by Oracle. The features of single sign-on, clustered deployment, and high availability enhance the operation of the Oracle HTTP Server.

• Oracle Web Cache

  Oracle Web Cache is a content-aware server accelerator, or reverse proxy, for the Web tier that improves the performance, scalability, and availability of Web sites that run on Oracle HTTP Server. Oracle Web Cache is the primary caching mechanism provided with Oracle Fusion Middleware. Caching improves the performance, scalability, and availability of Web sites that run on Oracle WebLogic Server by storing frequently accessed URLs in memory.

• Oracle Process Manager and Notification Server (OPMN)

  OPMN provides a command-line interface for you to monitor and manage Oracle Fusion Middleware components and sub-components. The OPMN server should be started as soon as possible after turning on the computer. OPMN must be running whenever OPMN-managed components are turned on or off.

For more information about these components, refer to Oracle Fusion Middleware Concepts.

1.2 Installation Roadmap

Table 1-1 describes the high-level tasks for installing and configuring Oracle Web Tier. The table also provides information on where to get more details on each task.

Table 1-1 Tasks in the Oracle Web Tier Suite Installation Procedure

Task	Description	Documentation	Mandatory or Optional?
Task 1 - Complete the installation planning requirements	Ensure that your system environment meets the general installation requirements for Oracle Fusion Middleware as well as Oracle Web Tier.	For system requirements information, go to: http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/ias/files/fusion_requirements.htm For certification information, go to: http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/ias/files/fusion_certification.html	Mandatory
Task 2 - Install Oracle WebLogic Server and create a WebLogic domain	Oracle Web Tier can be installed in stand-alone mode, or you can choose to associate your Web Tier components with an existing WebLogic domain. If you choose to associate your components with a WebLogic domain, and you do not already have an existing WebLogic domain, you must first install Oracle WebLogic Server in order to create a domain before you install Oracle Web Tier.	Installation instructions for Oracle WebLogic Server are provided in Oracle WebLogic Server Installation Guide.	Optional
Task 3 - Install Oracle Web Tier	Use the installer to install and configure Oracle Web Tier.	Chapter 2, "Installing Oracle Web Tier"	Mandatory
Task 4 - Configure Oracle Web Tier	The installer gives you the option of choosing between two different install types. If you choose the Install and Configure type, you can skip this step. If you choose the Install Software - Do Not Configure type, you must run the Configuration Tool to configure your components before you are able to use them.	Chapter 2, "Installing Oracle Web Tier" For more information about the installation types, see Section 2.6.1, "Installation Types".	Optional

1.3 Oracle Web Tier Directory Structure

Figure 1-1 shows the directory structure of a simple Oracle Web Tier installation on a single host, using all of the default values.

Figure 1-1 Directory Structure of Oracle Web Tier Installation

Description of "Figure 1-1 Directory Structure of Oracle Web Tier Installation"

Note that although Oracle WebLogic Server is not required in order to complete an Oracle Web Tier installation, the directory structure for the Middleware Home must still be present. This is to make the directory structure for Oracle Web Tier consistent with other Oracle Fusion Middleware products, all of which require the existance of WebLogic Server and its corresponding directory structure.

In the case of an Oracle Web Tier installation in non-managed mode, the directory structure will still be created despite the absence of Oracle WebLogic Server.

For more information about the Oracle Home and Oracle Common Home directories, refer to "Oracle Home and Oracle Common Home Directory" in Oracle Fusion Middleware Installation Planning Guide.

For more information about the Oracle Instance directory and system components, refer to "Oracle Fusion Middleware Concepts for All Users" in Oracle Fusion Middleware Installation Planning Guide.