The IBM i Integrated Web Server (IWS) is a built-in web server that allows businesses to host web applications, expose REST APIs, and interact with IBM i resources without needing external servers. Unlike open-source alternatives, IWS is specifically designed for IBM i, making it the most efficient, secure, and manageable option for hosting web applications on this platform.
Why Choose IBM i Integrated Web Server (IWS)?
IWS offers several compelling advantages over open-source web servers like Tomcat, Nginx, and others:
1. Native IBM i Integration
Unlike third-party servers, IWS is designed specifically for IBM i and seamlessly integrates with its architecture, making deployment and management much simpler.
2. Preinstalled & Ready to Use
IWS comes prepackaged with IBM i (5770DG1), eliminating the need for additional installations, dependencies, or configurations required by open-source web servers.
3. Seamless Access to IBM i Resources
IWS has built-in support for DB2, RPG, and CL programs, allowing applications to directly interact with IBM i services without the need for middleware like JDBC drivers or extra configuration layers.
4. Simplified Security & Authentication
IBM i security mechanisms such as user authentication, single sign-on (SSO), and SSL/TLS encryption are natively supported in IWS, whereas open-source web servers require separate configurations for user management and security policies.
5. Lightweight & Performance-Optimized
Since IWS is optimized for IBM i workloads, it consumes fewer system resources compared to Java-based web servers and is easier to manage than other alternatives.
6. GUI-Based Administration
IBM i provides a web-based interface for managing IWS, making it easier for administrators to configure, monitor, and maintain web services without requiring deep knowledge of Linux-based configurations.
7. PTF Support & Maintenance
Since IWS is an IBM-supported product, it receives security patches and updates as part of regular IBM i PTF (Program Temporary Fix) updates, reducing maintenance efforts compared to third-party web servers.
Comparison: IBM i IWS vs. Open-Source Web Servers
|
Feature
|
IBM i Integrated Web Server (IWS)
|
Open-Source Web Servers (e.g., Tomcat, Nginx)
|
|
IBM i Native Integration
|
✅ Yes
|
❌ No
|
|
Preinstalled on IBM i
|
✅ Yes
|
❌ No
|
|
GUI-Based Administration
|
✅ Yes
|
❌ No
|
|
DB2 & RPG Integration
|
✅ Yes
|
⚠️ Requires extra setup
|
|
Built-in Security & SSL/TLS
|
✅ Yes
|
❌ No (requires manual setup)
|
|
Lightweight & Optimized for IBM i
|
✅ Yes
|
⚠️ Varies based on configuration
|
|
Automatic IBM i PTF Updates
|
✅ Yes
|
❌ No
|
Setting Up and Configuring IWS on IBM i
To start using IWS, follow these steps:
1. Check If IWS is Installed
IWS is included in the IBM i operating system under product 5770DG1 (IBM HTTP Server for i). Verify installation by running:
GO LICPGM
Look for 5770DG1 in the installed list. If it's missing, install it from IBM i media.
2. Start the IBM i Integrated Web Server
Use the following command to start the default web server:
STRTCPSVR SERVER(*HTTP) HTTPSVR(*ADMIN)
This starts the ADMIN instance, which allows you to manage web servers via a web-based GUI.
3. Access the Web Administration Interface
Once the server is running, access the web administration interface via:
http://<your_ibmi_ip>:2001/HTTPAdmin
Login using an IBM i user profile with SECOFR or QSECOFR authority.
4. Creating a New Web Server Instance
- Navigate to IBM Web Administration for i.
- Click Create HTTP Server.
- Follow the wizard to set up a new web server instance.
- Configure settings such as port, authentication, SSL, and logging.
Once created, you can manage and restart your web server with:
STRTCPSVR SERVER(*HTTP) HTTPSVR(MYWEBSERVER)
5. Deploying a Simple Web Application on IWS
Let’s create a simple Hello World web page using IWS.
Create a Simple HTML File
Place the following content inside your web server's document root directory:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>IBM i Web Server</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Hello from IBM i Integrated Web Server!</h1>
</body>
</html>
Save this file inside /www/MYWEBSERVER/htdocs/index.html.
Accessing the Web Page
Once the web server is started, access the page via:
http://<your_ibmi_ip>:<configured_port>/index.html
You should see "Hello from IBM i Integrated Web Server!" displayed in the browser.
Conclusion
IBM i Integrated Web Server (IWS) is the best choice for hosting web applications on IBM i due to its tight integration, built-in security, and ease of use. While alternatives like open-source web servers are powerful, they introduce unnecessary complexity for IBM i workloads.
For IBM i environments looking to modernize and adopt web technologies, IWS provides a secure, reliable, and IBM-supported solution without the additional overhead of third-party software.