The installation methods

Select the appropriate installation method for your environment. You can use either a graphical interface program or a response file.

Graphical user interface
The graphical user interface program gathers essential information, such as host name and node, and then performs the installation. Some operating systems do not support a graphical user interface.
Silent installation
The silent installation uses a response file to supply installation options without user interaction. Use this option when installing or uninstalling IBM® WebSphere® Portal on multiple servers with a similar setup. To configure the installation, change the options in the response file before issuing the installation task.
Launchpad
The launchpad is a front-end interface that provides helpful planning information and links. It also provides an option to install WebSphere Portal.
Installation notes: Read the following information before installing:
  • Applies to all installation methods:
    • Before you begin installing or uninstalling, disable or turn off any screen saver software that is running on the server. This software can affect the ability of the server to connect to the network and sometimes interferes with the operation of the installation program.
    • The installation program verifies the operating system and its prerequisites, available disk space, and any required software prerequisites before installation.
    • You cannot install two instances of the server at the same time, even if you are installing to different directories. You must install each server completely before installing the next one.
    • The installation directory that you specify must NOT contain any files.
    • The installation directory that you specify must NOT contain the following characters:
      • ~
      • !
      • @
      • #
      • $
      • %
      • ^
      • &
      • *
      • (
      • )
      • _
      • +
      • {
      • }
      • |
      • <
      • >
      • ?
      • `
      • =
      • [
      • ]
      • ;
      • '
      • ,
      • .
      • "
  • Applies to just the graphical user interface method:
    If the host name is incorrect, for example serve1.server1.rtp.raleigh.ibm.com, you must correct the information; for example, change serve3.server3.rtp.raleigh.ibm.com to server3.rtp.raleigh.ibm.com.
    Note: This behavior is only found when the installation is run on a Windows server where an instance of Microsoft Exchange server is already installed.

32 bit installation on 64 bit operating system

On the Install Packages: Features panel, expand the IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment feature. Then expand the IBM Software Development Kit. Under IBM Software Development Kit, select 32-bit SDK for Java.