Oracle HTTP Server (OHS) 12c 12.1.2 which was released
in July 2013 as a part of Oracle Web Tier 12c is the web server component of Oracle Fusion Middleware. In essence this is Apache HTTP Server 2.2.22 (with critical bug fixes from higher versions) which includes modules developed specifically by Oracle. It provides a listener functionality for Oracle WebLogic Server and the
framework for hosting static pages, dynamic pages, and applications over the Web. OHS can be easily managed by Weblogic
Management
Framework, a set of tools which provides administrative capabilities (start, stop, lifecycle
operations, etc.) for Oracle Fusion Middleware products. In other words all
tools which are familiar to us (Node Manager, WLST, Administration Console,
Fusion Middleware Control etc.) presented as a part of Weblogic Management
Framework
and using for managing Java and System Components both for Weblogic Server and
Standalone Domain types. You can familiarize yourself with these terms using
related documentation:
1. Introduction
to Oracle HTTP Server: http://docs.oracle.com/middleware/1212/webtier/index.html
2. Weblogic
Management Framework: http://docs.oracle.com/middleware/1212/core/ASCON/terminology.htm#ASCON11260
In the given post I would like to cover rather simple use
case how to configure OHS as web proxy in Weblogic Cluster environment. For example, we have
existing Weblogic Domain where some managed servers have been joined to cluster
and host business applications. We need to configure web proxy component which
will act as entry point, load balancer for our cluster for user requests. Of
course, we could install old good Apache HTTP Server and configure mod_wl plugin. However this solution not
optimal from manageability perspective: we need to install Apache, install
additional plugin then configure it by editing configuration file which is not really
convenient for FMW Administrators and often increase time of performing of
simple administrative task. Alternatively, we could use OHS as System Component
within Weblogic Domain and use full power of Weblogic Management
Framework in
order to configure, manage and monitor it! I like this idea! What about you? I hope
after reading this post you will agree with me.
First of all it
is necessary to download OHS binaries. You can use this link for downloading: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/webtier/downloads/index2-303202.html
As we will use
Fusion Middleware Control for managing OHS instances it is necessary to extend your
domain with Enterprise Manager and Oracle ADF and JRF templates. This is not
topic for focusing in this post, but you could get more information from documentation or one of my previous posts:
http://docs.oracle.com/middleware/1212/wls/WLDTR/fmw_templates.htm#sthref64
https://blogs.oracle.com/imc/entry/the_specifics_of_adf_12c
Note: you should have properly configured Node Manager
utility for managing OHS instances
Let’s consider
configuration process step by step:
1. Shut
down all Weblogic instances of existing domain including Admin Server;
2. Install
Oracle HTTP Server. You should use your Fusion
Middleware Home Path (e.g. /u01/Oracle/FMW12) for Installation
Location and select Colocated HTTP
Server option as Installation Type.
I will not focus on this topic in this post. All information related to OHS
installation you could find here: http://docs.oracle.com/middleware/1212/webtier/WTINS/install_gui.htm#i1082009
3. Next
we need to extend our existing domain with OHS
component. In order to do this you should do the following:
a. Run
Fusion Middleware Configuration Wizard
(ORACLE_HOME/oracle_common/common/bin/config.sh);
b. On
the step 1 select Update an existing
domain option and point your Fusion
Middleware Home Path;
c. On
the step 2 check Oracle HTTP
Server, Oracle Enterprise Manager Plugin for WEBTIER templates;
d. Go
through other steps without any changes and finish configuration process.
4. Start
Admin Server and all managed servers
related to your cluster
5. Log
in to Enterprise Manager FMW Control
using http://<hostname>:<port>/em URL
6. Now
we will create OHS instance within our Weblogic Domain Infrastructure. Navigate
to Weblogic Domain -> Administration ->
Create/Delete OHS menu item;
7. Enter
to edit mode, clicking Changes ->
Lock&Edit menu item;
8. Create
new OHS instance clicking Create
button;
9. Define
Instance Name (e.g. DevOSH) and Machine parameters;
10. Now we need to define listen port. By default OHS will
use 7777 port number for income HTTP
requests. We could change it to any free port number we would like to use. In
order to do it, right click on our created OHS instance (left hand panel) and
navigate to Administration -> Port
Configuration;
11. Click on record with port number 7777 and then click Edit
button;
12. Change port number value (in our case this will be 8080) and then click OK button;
13. Now we need to edit mod_wl_ohs configuration in order to enable OHS to act as proxy for
WebLogic Server Instances/Cluster;
14. In order to do it right click on our created OHS
instance (left panel) and navigate to Administration -> mod_wl_ohs Configuration;
a. In
Weblogic Cluster you should enter
cluster address (define <host:port> for all managed servers which participated in cluster),
e.g: 192.168.56.2:7004,192.168.56.2:7005
b. Define
Weblogic Port parameter at which the
Oracle WebLogic Server host is listening for connection requests from the module
(or from other servers);
c. Check
Dynamic Server List option. This
will dynamically update cluster list for every request;
d. In
the Location table define list of
endpoint locations which you would like to process. In order to do this click Add Row button and define Location, Weblogic Cluster, Path Trim
and Path Prefix parameters (if
required);
e. Click
Apply button in order to save
changes.
15. Activate changes clicking Changes ? Activate Changes menu item;
16. Finally we will start configured OHS instance. Right click on
OHS instance tree item under Web Tier
folder, select Control -> Start Up menu
item;
17. Ensure that OHS instance up and running and then test
your environment. Run deployed application to your Weblogic Cluster accessing via OHS web proxy;
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