Before you install WebSphere, make sure that your host domain is registered in DNS and verify that you are installing the correct version of the WebSphere software for your platform. For more information, go to the IBM product support website at http://www-306.ibm.com/software/websphere/support/.
Unpack the downloaded software image, either in .zip or .gz format. Make sure that the zip/gzip utility is for the correct platform or you may receive a checksum error during the unpackaging.
Run the installation program from a shell window of your target system. If you are planning on installing a patch, install the 5.1 version first and apply the patch later. Detailed installation instructions can be found at http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/ws51help/index.jsp.
During the installation process, make sure that you record the following information to be used later in the Access Manager configuration:
hostname
domain name
cell name
node name
port number
installation directory
WebSphere instance name
administration port
By default, WebSphere defines the server instance as server1, however it is unlikely that you will the default. If you create a new instance, make sure that you record the information for Access Manager configuration and deployment. See the WebSphere 5.1 documentation for instructions.
Verify that the installation was successful.
Make sure the server.xml file exists in the following directory:
/opt/WebSphere/AppServer/config/cells/cell-name/noes/
node-name/servers/server1
Use the startServer.sh command to start the server, for example:
/opt/WebSphere/AppServer/bin/startServer.sh server1
In a web browser, enter the corresponding URL of the following format to view the sample web application:
http:// fqdn:portnumber/snoop
Once you have verified a successful installation, stop the server using the stopServer.sh utility. For example:
opt/WebSphere/AppServer/bin/stopServer.sh server1
If you are installing WebSphere 5.1 patch, use the updateWizard.sh command line utility to install the patch over the original 5.1 instance.
Restart WebSphere and verify that the installation was successful.