Question & Answer
Question
This article explains concise details concerning whether you should install a 32-bit or 64-bit fix pack on IBM HTTP Server V7.0.
Cause
IBM HTTP Server V7.0 is offered as 32-bit software for most supported operating systems and processor architectures. Due to the way IBM HTTP Server V7.0 and other software are bundled together, many 32-bit offerings of IBM HTTP Server V7.0 are included on installation images that show "64-bit Supplements" on the label. Even though the HTTP Server product is 32-bit, its fix packs might be labeled "64-bit" if the product was installed from the "64-bit Supplements" image.
You can install 2 types of fix packs on IBM HTTP Server:
- HTTP Server fix packs
- Java SDK fix packs
Due to the way the product is labeled, there are some cases where you might install a 64-bit HTTP Server fix pack and a 32-bit Java SDK fix pack on the same product.
This article aims to quickly answer questions about these fix packs. Some details in this technote are intentionally sparse for readability. For an in-depth discussion of these details, refer to technote 1396916.
Answer
|
Will the Update Installer help me make the right choices? |
The Update Installer will enforce proper prerequisite checking and ensure that you do not accidentally install an incorrect fix pack, as long as you are installing Fix Pack 7 or later. (There is an issue specific to SDK Fix Packs prior to Fix Pack 7.)
The SDK Fix Pack 5 is subject to a defect which forces you to install an incorrect Java SDK fix pack. Install SDK Fix Pack 7 or later.
| Which HTTP Server fix pack should you install? |
Go to the "uninstall" subdirectory of your installed product. Or, if you have not installed it yet, go to the directory named "IHS" on the install image. Read the file named "version.txt", which is a small text file.
If that file indicates a 64-bit architecture, then install a 64-bit HTTP Server fix pack with this product. If it shows a 32-bit architecture (or it does not mention either "32" or "64"), then install a 32-bit HTTP Server fix pack with this product.
For example, if the file shows "x86_64", then that indicates a 64-bit architecture. Install the HTTP Server fix pack labeled "64-bit".
As another example, if the file shows "x86", then that indicates a 32-bit architecture (When neither "32" nor "64" are stated, then assume it is 32-bit). Install the HTTP Server fix pack labelled "32-bit".
If the file shows "s390_64", read the remaining sections, because there is a special exception for that product.
| Which Java SDK fix pack should you install? |
First, be aware that Java SDK fix pack updates for the IBM HTTP Server product are optional. The Java SDK code is not actually used by the Web server process.
Due to an issue with the prerequisite checks and 64-bit SDK Fix Pack 5 and earlier, we recommend installing SDK Fix Pack 7 or later.
If you do want to apply a Java SDK update, then check the product version data. To do this, follow the directions listed below:
- For UNIX-based systems, navigate to the product's "bin" directory. Run this command:
- For Windows-based systems, navigate to the product's "bin" directory. Run this command:
| ./apachectl -V |
| apache.exe -V |
Note: There is an exception to this rule for Linux for zSeries systems (read the remaining sections).
| Which fix packs should you install if you are using Linux for zSeries systems? |
Go to the "uninstall" subdirectory of your installed product. Or, if you have not installed it yet, go to the directory named "IHS" on the install image. Read the file named "version.txt", which is a small text file.
If it indicates "s390", then install a 32-bit HTTP Server fix pack and optionally install a 32-bit Java SDK fix pack.
If it indicates "s390_64", then install a 64-bit HTTP Server fix pack and optionally install a 64-bit Java SDK fix pack.
| Is the HTTP Server running in 32-bit mode or 64-bit mode? |
Even if IBM HTTP Server was installed from the 64-bit Supplemental image, and even if you install a 64-bit HTTP Server fix pack on it, the product may actually run in 32-bit mode. In fact, most IBM HTTP Server V7.0 offerings are 32-bit.
If you are running IBM HTTP Server V7.0 on an Itanium-based HP-UX system, then the HTTP Server process runs in 64-bit mode. If you are running IBM HTTP Server V7.0 on an x86_64-based Solaris system, then the HTTP Server runs in 64-bit mode.
The IBM HTTP Server V7.0 product for all other distributed operating systems runs in 32-bit mode.
| What fix packs should I use to update the WebSphere Plug-in? |
The plug-in is subject to different rules. The plug-in's versionInfo command will indicate whether it is a 32-bit or 64-bit product. Install a plug-in and Java SDK fix pack which matches the indication in the versionInfo command.
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Document Information
Modified date:
07 September 2022
UID
swg21397054