IBM Support

Installing a no-charge, unsupported IBM HTTP Server

Question & Answer


Question

How can I install a trial (unsupported) version of IBM HTTP Server?

Cause

Historically, IBM HTTP Server (IHS) has been available as a no-charge, unsupported download for projects that require an HTTP server for purposes not directly related to IBM products that have bundled IBM HTTP Server. This is referred to as a "trial" download, but it has no functional or temporal limitations.  Review the license provided with each package for full details.

Trial versions of IBM HTTP Server are not eligible for customer or product support. For best-effort/community support, see the ibmhttpserver tag on http://stackoverflow.com or http://serverfault.com
Since 2021, most IHS downloads now require entitlement checking against WebSphere Application Server or another product that bundles IHS. In practice this means a user must have an IBM ID that is connected to an account that is entitled to support on one of these products to successfully install or update IHS.  See https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6398736 for more information about entitlement checking.

Answer

Beginning in 9.0.0.6, the simplest way to get started is to use what's called the "IHS Archive Install". The archive based installation includes an integrated copy of the WebSphere WebServer Plug-in, and requires no IBM Installation Manager nor WebSphere Configuration Tool. The historical option, using IBM Installation Manager remains available.
 

Option 1: Install from an archive (no IBM Installation Manager)

  1. Search Fix Central for IHS Archive Install installation packages
    Fix Central search: "Archive Install: IBM HTTP Server"
    Or...find the latest available Fix Pack in the WebSphere Application Server recommended updates page and follow the link to the fixpack-specific download document (scroll to "IBM HTTP Server Archives")
    http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27004980#ver90

    Note: For users without any entitlement to products that bundle IBM HTTP Server, Archive installs will not be accessible on Fix Central.
  2. Download the appropriate package for your operating system and architecture, and simply extract to install.
  3. Run the "postinstall" script at the root of the archive.
  4. Full details about working with the archive install are available in the IHS Knowledge Center:
    https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSEQTJ_9.0.0/com.ibm.websphere.ihs.doc/ihs/tihs_install_config_archive.html
 

Option 2: Install using IBM Installation Manager

  1. Download and install IBM Installation Manager, available from the following URL:
    http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27025142#1.8
    Note: If IBM Installation Manager is already installed on the system where you want to install IBM HTTP Server, skip this step.
  2. Launch IBM Installation Manager.
  3. Add the IBM Installation Manager repository for IBM HTTP Server.
  4. Return to the default IBM Installation Manager screen, click Install, find the "IBM HTTP Server for WebSphere Application Server" in the list of Installation Packages, and follow the prompts.
  5. Note: For users without any entitlement to products that bundle IBM HTTP Server, you will only find older fix pack levels available in the online repository.
 
Notes:
 
  • The WebSphere Application Server Web Server Plug-in and the Plug-in Configuration Tool are available as part of the same repository as IBM HTTP Server. However, these components are typically used directly as part of an IBM product that has bundled them and should be installed through non-trial/standalone mechanisms.
  • Trial/ILAN/Unsupported versions of IBM HTTP Server are not eligible for customer or product support. For best-effort/community support, see the ibmhttpserver tag on http://stackoverflow.com.
  • If you later use this instance of IBM HTTP Server directly in support of your licensed use of IBM WebSphere Application Server and need to report an issue, open support cases against product "WebSphere IBM HTTP Server" only.

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Document Information

Modified date:
15 April 2024

UID

swg21972167