WebSphere Application Server V7.0: Concepts ... - IBM Redbooks

4.2.8 Servicability
► Number of application servers
When you plan the deployment of multiple applications in your environment
you can either deploy multiple applications to the same application server or
create one server for each application. Depending on that decision you might
end up with a higher number of application servers in your cell. This means
that you will have a larger cell, which implies increased server startup times
and complexity for your environment due to larger high availability views.
► Cluster communication
The higher the number of application servers, the higher is the
communications and systems management overhead in your environment.
► Platforms
WebSphere Application Server supports building cross-platform cells. This
means you can create one cell containing servers on multiple platforms.
While this option increases the complexity of the environment and makes the
administration more complicated, it gives a lot of flexibility when it comes to
integration of existing software components.
After you know how your applications will be deployed, update your
implementation design.
Plan for servicability and problem determination tasks for your environment.
Planning for servicability includes planning for tools, education, disk
requirements for debug data, communications requirements, required agents for
your tools, and so on.
Note: WebSphere Application Server V7.0 comes with IBM Support Assistant
V4.0 which provides many tools for problem analysis and data collection.
Refer to the following Web pages for more information:
http://www-01.ibm.com/software/support/isa/
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/wasinfo/v7r0/topic/com.ibm.
websphere.nd.doc/info/ae/ae/ttrb_supportasst.html
Chapter 4. Infrastructure 105