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The Web Application Server is a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server that includes a tightly integrated Oracle7x server. This database server component enables you to create dynamic Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) documents from data stored in an Oracle database.
This functionality supplements the presentation of static, or unchanging, data, which is found on most Web sites today. The Oracle Web Application Server option, which does not include the Oracle7x database system, includes the Oracle Web Listener (OWL) and the Oracle Web Agent (OWA).
The Oracle Web Listener is an HTTP server that services document requests from any Web browser. The Web Listener determines whether the client request is for a static or a dynamic document. The Web Listener directly services static document requests. If database access is required to generate a dynamic document, the Web Listener invokes the Oracle Web Agent.
To even think about installing Web Application Server on Solaris, you need a few minimum machine requirements (see Tables 18.1 and 18.2).
Table 18.1 Hardware RequirementsHardware | Requirement |
CPU | A SPARC processor |
Memory | 64M |
Disk Space | 200M |
Swap Space | 64M |
CD-ROM Device | RockRidge format |
Software | Requirement |
Operating system | Solaris 2.4 with X Windows, and Motif or Open Windows |
Browser | Table and Form enabled browsers |
Database | Oracle 7.1.6, 7.2.2, 7.2.3, or 7.3.2.2 |
Source: Oracle Corp.
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NOTE |
Oracle's documentation does not require the exclusive use of an Oracle database in Web Application Server 3.0. However, Web Application Server is most mature with an Oracle database. |
To help make your installation a little easier, Oracle has incorporated several installation enhancements to Web Application Server 3.0. These features include the following:
In addition to hardware and software requirements, you might find it necessary to relink your executables. Linking is the process of combining compiled programs and libraries into an executable program. Relinking an executable is necessary because Web Application Server handles some of the duties an operating system would normally handle. In addition, Web Application Server has its own header files that you need to incorporate into any executables that require the services of the Web Server. Keep in mind, also, that the Oracle Web Application Server Option requires the relinking of your executables. Nevertheless, if you choose to relink
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the executable after doing the installation, Web Application Server requires that you install the following files, libraries, and utilities:
It might be in your best interest to do a full recompile of your executables if time permits. That way, you can isolate any upgrade/migration-related anomalies before they come back to haunt you.
You need to consider what products you must have in place for Web Application Server to be useful. If you plan to use Web Application Server only as a stand-alone Internet server, you don't need to concern yourself with this section. However, if you plan to implement Web Application Server as a server within your overall Oracle environment, you should read the list in this section. To make sure your environment has all of the necessary components, you should go through the following list, which includes the software component and its respective release:
Before installing Web Application Server for Solaris, you must perform some duties to ensure a smooth installation process. These duties include the following: