Understanding Virtual Host in WebSphere Application Server

Hi Dev, in this article, we will dive into the concept of Virtual Host in WebSphere Application Server. Virtual Host is a crucial component in server setup, and it affects the overall behavior of web applications. We will be exploring the ins and outs of Virtual Host and how it works within the WebSphere Application Server environment. So, let’s get started!

What is Virtual Host?

Virtual Host is a feature in the WebSphere Application Server that allows multiple applications to share a single server instance, but it appears to the end-user as if they are running on separate servers. With Virtual Host, you can segregate web applications to different domains or subdomains, making it easy to manage them separately.

Virtual Hosts are usually set up to route HTTP requests to the appropriate web application running on the server. It also helps in load balancing and failover mechanisms. In summary, Virtual Host helps to improve the scalability, reliability, and security of your web applications.

How Virtual Host Works in WebSphere Application Server?

Virtual Host in WebSphere Application Server works by mapping the host name and port number to a specific application running on the server. When a request comes in from the client, the Virtual Host determines which application the request belongs to and forwards it to the appropriate application server.

Virtual Hosts in WebSphere can be configured at the server level, application level, or web module level. Each Virtual Host is assigned a unique name and has a default host that is used if no other host is specified.

Furthermore, you can configure Virtual Hosts to use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) for secure communication between the client and the server.

Why use Virtual Host in WebSphere Application Server?

There are several reasons why you should use Virtual Host in WebSphere Application Server:

• Allows multiple applications to share a single server instance.
• Enables easy segregation of applications based on domain or subdomain.
• Improves scalability, reliability, and security of your web applications.
• Allows easy configuration of SSL for secure communication.

Configuring Virtual Host in WebSphere Application Server

Configuring Virtual Host in WebSphere Application Server involves the following steps:

1. Create a Virtual Host at the server, application, or web module level.
2. Set the host name and port number for the Virtual Host.
3. Configure the Virtual Host to use SSL if needed.
4. Map the Virtual Host to the web application.
5. Save and apply the changes.

Creating a Virtual Host

To create a Virtual Host in WebSphere Application Server, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the WebSphere Application Server administrative console.
2. Select the server, application or web module you want to add the Virtual Host to.
3. Click on Virtual Hosts in the left-hand navigation pane.
4. Click on New to create a new Virtual Host.
5. Enter a unique name for the Virtual Host.
6. Select the Host alias tab.

Now, let’s set the host name and port number for the Virtual Host.

Setting Host Name and Port Number

To set the host name and port number for the Virtual Host, follow these steps:

1. Enter the host name and port number in the respective fields.
2. Select the HTTP inbound channel tab.
3. Select the HTTP inbound channel that corresponds to the host and port number you entered.
4. Click Apply to save the changes.

The next step is to configure the Virtual Host to use SSL if needed.

Configuring Virtual Host for SSL

If you need to configure the Virtual Host to use SSL, follow these steps:

1. Select the HTTP inbound channel tab.
2. Click SSL certificate and key management.
3. Select the Key stores and certificates tab.
4. Select the key store to use for SSL.
5. Select the SSL configuration tab.
6. Select the Enable SSL for inbound communications checkbox.
7. Configure other SSL settings as needed.
8. Click Apply to save the changes.

The next step is to map the Virtual Host to the web application.

Mapping Virtual Host to Web Application

To map the Virtual Host to the web application, follow these steps:

1. Select the web application you want to map to the Virtual Host.
2. Select the Virtual hosts tab.
3. Select the Virtual Host you created earlier.
4. Click Apply to save the changes.

Finally, save and apply the changes to make them take effect.

FAQ about Virtual Host in WebSphere Application Server

Conclusion

In summary, Virtual Host is a crucial component in WebSphere Application Server that allows multiple applications to share a single server instance. It provides a convenient way to segregate web applications to different domains or subdomains. With Virtual Host, you can improve the scalability, reliability, and security of your web applications. We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights into Virtual Host in WebSphere Application Server.