Home » Tips for a Successful WebFOCUS 7.7 Install

Tips for a Successful WebFOCUS 7.7 Install

By Mona Baker

  1. To successfully install WebFOCUS 7.7, you need some information that is often overlooked. With that in mind, I have put together a checklist of 10 things you must consider when installing the product.Installing on a 64-bit machine: If we detect a 32-bit Java on your machine, we will ask you if you want to install at 32-bit or 64-bit version of WebFOCUS 7.7. The default is 64-bit. If you already have Tomcat running at 32-bit, but you choose to install our product at 64-bit, we will install a new 64-bit version of Tomcat for you. The same is true when selecting to install Derby. 
  2. Third-party software: Tomcat and Derby will be installed on your machine, by default, under our IBI directory structure. In the past, Tomcat was installed under the default Apache directory. Note: If you install Tomcat separately from the Information Builders installation, you may do so in any location you choose.
  3. When you are running WebFOCUS 7.6.x, the path to 7.7.x is through a migration. Here is what you need to do:
    • Run a full install of 7.7.
    • Use migration tools to migrate your data from 7.6.x to 7.7.x. To locate details on the various items you can migrate, please see the migration index listing in the WebFOCUS Installation manuals.
  4. If you uninstall WebFOCUS on Windows, we will uninstall the entire WebFOCUS directory. This means that any non-standard WebFOCUS files will be removed. For example, if you have backed-up files under the WebFOCUS directory, please move them before you run an uninstall, otherwise they will be deleted. This includes the basedir file and all files under the WebFOCUS directory.
  5. If running WebFOCUS under the WebSphere Application Server, please note that the default JSP compiler level on WebSphere (any release) is 1.3. In order to use WebFOCUS 7.7, you must update the JSP compiler level to JSP 1.5. The information is documented in our installation manuals under the WebSphere configuration chapter.
  6. WebLogic 10 and higher requires some manual configuration after the installation. Please check our documentation for configuration options.
  7. If you are using IIS with Tomcat there may be manual steps you will need to perform to configure IIS properly. The installation will attempt to configure IIS properly; however, if it fails, a message will appear advising you to do a manual configuration.
  8. When the installation program prompts you for a Web Port Number, it is asking for the port needed for the HTTP Listener port. Use the port number appropriate for your HTTP Listener Port (either the HTTP Web Server port number or Web Application Server HTTP port number).
  9. Be aware that if you select to install Tomcat on any Unix platform, the installation program prompts for the HTTP Listener Port Number. It will then use the next two consecutive numbers for the additional Tomcat ports that need to be allocated. If you do not change the default port number (8080) we do not change any port number within Tomcat.
  10. Please note that we do include a parameter file to allow you to run the installation silently. All prompts will be satisfied by the information in the parameter file. This is the easiest way to install and you can carefully review your information before executing the installation.  We recommend that you review the silent parameter file and edit it according to your environmental needs. You will find a reference to the silent parameter file in the WebFOCUS Installation Manual.