Hardware prerequisites for installing WebSphere Commerce

Before you install WebSphere Commerce, ensure that the system meets all hardware requirements that are listed for your operating system.

Virtualization environments

In a virtualization environment (such as IBM PowerVM VIOS, IBM z/VM, IBM PR/SM or VMware ESX/ESXi), part of your system capacity is used by the virtualization software to manage and service resource requests. The hardware requirements that are listed in this topic are the minimum requirements for WebSphere Commerce to run after all virtualization demands are taken into account, including disk space and processor demands.

Partitioning of hardware into multiple virtual servers can have a dramatic affect on performance. Application Servers in particular can be sensitive to processor caching and overall memory constraints, and software virtualization resource availability can be unpredictable. Depending on your virtualization configuration, the overhead of operating in virtualized environment might be as much as 30% or more of your overall available hardware capacity. If you are planning to deploy a virtualized environment, ensure that stress testing is a part of your WebSphere Commerce project plan.

Because of the wide availability of multi-core server architectures, you might need to run WebSphere Commerce in a virtualized environment. Using a virtualized environment can help ensure that the correct proportion of server capacity is used, so that you adhere to software licensing compliance guidelines. For example, running WebSphere Commerce with VMware helps you ensure that the appropriate number of licensed processor value units (PVU) are deployed for only the allowable amount of capacity available on a physical server.

Additional software stack products might have their own support requirements which must also be met. For example, here are the support statements from:

Hardware prerequisites for WebSphere Commerce

AIX
  • Dedicated machine from the IBM POWER processor family which meets the following hardware requirements:
  • 375-MHz processor.
  • Minimum of 2 GB of free random access memory (RAM) for the first WebSphere Commerce instance. Each additional WebSphere Commerce instance requires an additional free 1.5 GB of RAM.
  • Minimum of 6 GB of free disk space, if you install all of the required and optional components, with the following recommended allocated file sizes:
    • /usr 4.5 GB (8388608 blocks with a block size of 512 bytes)
    • /tmp 900 MB (1843200 blocks with a block size of 512 bytes)
    • /home 1 GB (2097152 blocks with a block size of 512 bytes)

    More temporary disk space might be needed for fix packs, depending on size of the EAR file.

  • Minimum of 1 GB of paging space per processor.
    DB2AIXFeature Pack 8Note: Minimum paging space should be at least 1 GB more than the memory of your environment. For example, 5 GB memory requires paging space of at least 6 GB.
  • DVD-ROM drive.
  • Graphics capable monitor.
  • Local area network (LAN) adapter that supports the TCP/IP protocol.
IBM i Version 6.1 and 7.1
  • Dedicated IBM i POWER system which meets the following hardware requirements:
    • Minimum CPW of 4300.
    • Minimum 5.0 GB of free disk space for installation.
    • The following minimum memory requirements:
      • Minimum of 5 GB of free RAM for the first WebSphere Commerce instance. Each additional WebSphere Commerce instance requires 2 GB per production instance and 1.5 GB per test instance.
      • 3 GB of RAM in the base pool to handle database and other system functions.
  • A workstation running a Windows operating system that can run a web browser, such as Firefox.
  • DVD-ROM drive.
  • Graphics capable monitor.
  • Local area network (LAN) adapter that supports the TCP/IP protocol.
Linux on System x and other Intel based systems
  • Dedicated Pentium III 733 MHz (or higher recommended for a production environment) IBM-compatible system with the following hardware:
    • Minimum of 2 GB of free random access memory (RAM).
    • Minimum of 4.5 GB of free disk space.
    • Minimum of 1 GB of paging space per processor.
    This requirement is for the initial WebSphere Commerce instance. Each additional WebSphere Commerce instance requires an additional free 1.5 GB of RAM and 1 GB of paging space per processor.
  • Minimum of 6 GB of free disk space, if you install all of the required and optional components, with the following recommended allocated file sizes:
    • /opt: 4.5 GB
    • /home: 1 GB
    • /tmp: 900 MB

    More temporary disk space might be needed for fix packs, depending on size of the EAR file.

  • DVD-ROM drive.
  • Graphics capable monitor.
  • Mouse or other pointing device.
  • Local area network (LAN) adapter that supports TCP/IP.
Linux on System z
  • Eserver zSeries system running that meets one of the following specifications:
    • For a VM configuration:
      • Minimum of 1 GB of virtual storage per Linux instance (guest).
      • Minimum of 900 MB of free space in your temporary directory.

        More temporary disk space might be needed for fix packs, depending on size of the EAR file.

      • Minimum of 200 MB of Linux swap file space.
      • Minimum of 2 GB of VM paging space per Linux instance.
      • 3 full volumes (3300 cylinders) free disk space for the Linux system.
      • 1 full volume (3300 cylinders) free disk space for DB2 Universal Database.
      • 2 full volumes (3300 cylinders) free disk space for WebSphere Commerce and WebSphere Application Server.
      • 1 full volume (3300 cylinders) temporary free disk space for the contents of the WebSphere Commerce DVD that is transferred from a workstation to the Eserver zSeries.
      • Local area network (LAN) adapter that supports TCP/IP.
  • If you plan to use a three-node topology for your WebSphere Commerce installation, ensure that the BogoMips rating per CPU is greater than 250.
    • For a native LPAR configuration: A minimum of 1 GB of random access memory (RAM) per Linux instance. Additionally, a minimum of 2 GB of free random access memory (RAM) is required for a WebSphere Commerce Node.
    • Minimum of 200 MB of Linux swap file space.
    • 3 full volumes (3300 cylinders) free disk space for the Linux system.
    • 1 full volume (3300 cylinders) free disk space for DB2 Universal Database.
    • 2 full volumes (3300 cylinders) free disk space for WebSphere Commerce and WebSphere Application Server.
    • 1 full volume (3300 cylinders) temporary free disk space for the contents of the WebSphere Commerce DVD that is transferred from a workstation to the Eserver zSeries.
    • Local area network (LAN) adapter that supports TCP/IP.
  • In addition to the server, you require:
    • Linux, or UNIX, machine with a graphics capable monitor, a DVD-ROM drive, and a mouse or other pointing device.
    • A minimum of 1.5-GB free disk space available on the Linux or UNIX machine. This free disk space is required when you package the WebSphere Commerce DVD for transfer to the Eserver zSeries machine.
    • Windows workstation capable of running a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, with a graphics-capable monitor. This workstation is required to access the WebSphere Commerce tools such as WebSphere Commerce Accelerator.
Linux on IBM Power Systems (formerly System i or System p)
  • Linux runs natively on Power Systems. To learn more about Linux on Power, see:
  • Linux can run virtualized on Power Systems with PowerVM. For more information about virtualization with PowerVM, see:
  • In addition to supporting Linux, Power System must meet the following requirements:
    • Minimum of 2 GB of free random access memory (RAM)
    • Minimum of 4.5 GB of free disk space.
    • Minimum of 1 GB of paging space per processor.
    This requirement is for the initial WebSphere Commerce instance. Each additional WebSphere Commerce instance requires an additional free 1.5 GB of RAM and 1 GB of paging space per processor.
  • Minimum of 6 GB of free disk space, if you install all of the required and optional components, with the following recommended allocated file sizes:
    • /opt: 4.5 GB
    • /home: 1 GB
    • /tmp: 900 MB

    More temporary disk space might be needed for fix packs, depending on size of the EAR file.

  • DVD-ROM drive.
  • Graphics capable monitor.
  • Mouse or other pointing device.
  • Local area network (LAN) adapter that supports TCP/IP.
  • In addition to the server, you require:
    • Windows, Linux, or UNIX machine with a graphics capable monitor and a mouse or other pointing device. This workstation is required to Telnet to the Eserver iSeries so that the installation wizard can be run.
    • Windows workstation capable of running a web browser such as Internet Explorer with a graphics-capable monitor. This workstation is required to access the WebSphere Commerce tools such as WebSphere Commerce Accelerator.
Solaris A machine with any processor that supports Solaris 10 for SPARC, with the following hardware:
  • A 400 MHz processor or higher.
  • A minimum of 2 GB of free random access memory (RAM) for the first WebSphere Commerce instance. Each additional WebSphere Commerce instance requires an additional free 1.5 GB of RAM.
  • A minimum of 6 GB of free disk space, if you install all of the required and optional components, with the following recommended allocated file sizes:
    • /opt: 4.5 GB
    • /home: 1 GB
    • /tmp: 1.4 GB

    More temporary disk space might be needed for fix packs, depending on size of the EAR file.

  • A communication hardware adapter that uses the TCP/IP protocol stack to make network connections.
  • A DVD-ROM drive.
  • A graphics capable monitor.
Windows (32-bit operating system) You must ensure that you meet the following minimum hardware requirements before you install WebSphere Commerce:
  • You require an Intel Pentium III 733 MHz (1 GHz or higher recommended for a production environment) IBM-compatible personal computer with the following hardware:
    • A minimum of 2 GB of free RAM for the first WebSphere Commerce instance. Each additional WebSphere Commerce instance requires an additional free 1.5 GB of RAM.
    • A minimum of 4.5 GB of free disk space on your target installation drive.
    • You also need an additional 900-MB temporary disk space in the location that is defined by the Windows %tmp% environment variable.

      More temporary disk space might be needed for fix packs, depending on size of the EAR file.

    • If your machine is formatted with FAT 16 or FAT 32 partitioning and the partition is over 1.024 GB, you need twice as much free disk space.
    • If your machine is formatted with FAT 16 or FAT 32 partitioning and the partition is over 2.049 GB, you need three times as much free disk space.
    • The installation wizard checks for adequate free disk space and warns you if there is not enough space.
  • A DVD-ROM drive.
  • A graphics-capable monitor with a color depth of at least 256 colors.
  • A mouse or other pointing device. (optional)
  • A local area network (LAN) adapter that is supported by the TCP/IP protocol.
Windows (64-bit operating system) You must ensure that you meet the following minimum hardware requirements before you install WebSphere Commerce:
  • A 64-bit Intel Pentium processor-based IBM-compatible personal computer with the following hardware:
    • A minimum of 2 GB of free RAM for the first WebSphere Commerce instance. Each additional WebSphere Commerce instance requires an additional free 1.5 GB of RAM.
    • A minimum of 4.5 GB of free disk space on your target installation drive.
    • You also need an additional 900-MB temporary disk space in the location that is defined by the Windows %tmp% environment variable.

      More temporary disk space might be needed for fix packs, depending on size of the EAR file.

    • If your machine is formatted with FAT 16 or FAT 32 partitioning and the partition is over 1.024 GB, you need twice as much free disk space.
    • If your machine is formatted with FAT 16 or FAT 32 partitioning and the partition is over 2.049 GB, you need three times as much free disk space.
    • The installation wizard checks for adequate free disk space and warns you if there is not enough space.
  • A DVD-ROM drive.
  • A graphics-capable monitor with a color depth of at least 256 colors.
  • A mouse or other pointing device. (optional)
  • A local area network (LAN) adapter that is supported by the TCP/IP protocol.

Hardware Requirements for IBM Sales Center for WebSphere Commerce

Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows Vista or Windows 7 You must ensure that you meet the following minimum hardware requirements before you install IBM Sales Center for WebSphere Commerce:
  • An Intel Pentium III IBM-compatible personal computer with the following hardware:
    • A minimum of 384 MB of free RAM
    • A minimum of 350 MB of free disk space on your target installation drive.
  • A graphics-capable monitor with a screen resolution of 1024x768

Hardware Requirements for IBM Management Center for WebSphere Commerce

You must ensure that you meet the following minimum hardware requirements before you install IBM Management Center for WebSphere Commerce:
  • An Intel Pentium III IBM-compatible personal computer with the following hardware:
    • A minimum of 1 G of memory, 2 G is recommended.
    • A minimum of 600 MB of free RAM
  • A graphics-capable monitor with a screen resolution of 1024x768