Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) Toolkit for OpenVMS

This document is the Installation Guide and Release Notes for the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) Toolkit for OpenVMS, Version 2.0, released in January 2005 and based on Apache Axis 1.1.

It provides detailed instructions for installing, configuring, and validating the toolkit on OpenVMS Alpha and OpenVMS Industry Standard 64 systems.

Key sections and information include:

1. Before Installation:

   • Hardware Prerequisites: Requires OpenVMS Alpha or Industry Standard 64, significant disk space (14.6 MB for download, 15.7 MB for expansion, 12.7-45 MB for installation depending on options), and crucially, an ODS-5 enabled disk.
   • Software Prerequisites (Client & Server):
     • Client: OpenVMS Alpha V7.2-2+ with Java SDK 1.3.1+; OpenVMS I64 V8.2+ with Java SDK 1.4.2+. All relevant Java SDK patches are required, along with a JAXP-1.1 compliant XML parser (Xerces or Crimson, though Xerces is included in the toolkit).
     • Server: Requires all client prerequisites and a Java Servlet container. Options include the built-in SimpleAxisServer (for development/prototyping) or Tomcat (CSWS_JAVA) for production environments, optionally with Apache-based Secure Web Server (CSWS).
   • Removing Previous Versions: Users must uninstall SOAP Toolkit Version 1.0 or 1.1 before installing Version 2.0 using specific uninstall commands.

2. Downloading and Installing:

   • The toolkit is available as a compressed JAR file, included with OpenVMS layered product distributions or downloadable from the HP website.
   • Installation Steps: Involve invoking Java setup, creating a temporary directory on an ODS-5 disk, copying and expanding the JAR file (using jar -xvf), and then running the INSTALL_SOAP_TOOLKIT-2_0.COM script. The installer prompts for the installation directory and allows optional installation of documentation and source files.

3. After Installation:

   • A logical name (AXIS$ROOT) needs to be added to SYS$MANAGER:SYLOGICALS.COM for persistence.
   • Validation Tests: The document details running validation tests by starting the SimpleAxisServer in one terminal session and then executing a soap_toolkit-2_0_util.com script in another. The utility can run tests, show configuration, and copy supplemental JAR files. Test results are logged and should be compared against a benchmark log file.

4. Removing the Kit (Uninstall):

   • The UNINSTALL_SOAP_TOOLKIT-2_0.COM script is used to remove the toolkit. It warns users about deleting files and may require manual removal of the top-level directory and the AXIS$ROOT logical name afterward.

5. Release Notes:

   • The document states there are no specific release notes for Version 2.0.

6. Support:

   • HP provides support through standard OpenVMS service agreements. Informal support is available via the comp.os.vms newsgroup, and technical feedback can be sent to OpenVMSSoapToolkit@hp.com.