Download the versioned.zip file to the machine where your WebLogic Server domain and servers are. Extract the file contents to a local drive. In this tutorial, the files are extracted into the /home/oracle/versioned directory. The zip file contains two directories:

• deployversion1 - which contains the first version of the simple.war application.
• deployversion2 - which contains the second version of the simple.war application.

If you wish to see what the version information in the META-INF/MANIFEST.MF file looks like, you can extract the files from simple.war and use a text editor to view that file. Here is the MANIFEST.MF file from the deployversion1/simple.war file:

Notice the entry Weblogic-Application-Version: v1, which sets the version name to v1.

The MANIFEST.MF file from the deployversion2/simple.war file has a different version name for the Weblogic-Application-Version attribute: v2.

If the administration server of the domain is not already running, it must be started. To start it, in a Terminal window, navigate to the domain directory, and enter the command:

$ ./startWebLogic.sh

When prompted for a username and password, enter the credentials of the domain administrator.

The managed server dizzy1 should also be running. If it is not already running, start it. In another Terminal window, navigate to the domain directory, then cd into the bin subdirectory. Enter the command:

$ ./startManagedWebLogic.sh dizzy1 http://host01.example.com:8001

This runs the script to start the managed server named dizzy1. Also notice the argument that gives the URL of the domain's administration server:
http://host01.example.com:8001.

Note: Use the host name and port of the administration server of your domain.

When prompted for a username and password, enter the credentials of the domain administrator.

After the servers are up and running, access the WebLogic Server administration console. Open a web browser and enter the URL of the domain's administration console:
http://hostname:port/console

In this tutorial, that is: http://host01.example.com:8001/console

Note: Use the host name and port of the administration server of your domain.

On the Welcome screen, log in using the username and password entered to start the servers.

Deploying an application is a change to the domain's configuration, so it must first be locked. In the Change Center, click the Lock & Edit button.

Under Domain Structure, click Deployments.

On the right, under Deployments, click the Install button.

Find the Current Location field. Use the links to browse to the location where the zip file was extracted. Navigate to the directory deployversion1. There you will see simple.war with a radio button next to it. Select that radio button. By using the links and the radio button, the console fills in the Path field for you.

Alternatively, you can type in the path and file name in the Path field yourself.

Then click Next.

On the next screen, ensure that Install this deployment as an application is selected.

Then click Next.

On the next screen, select dizzy1.

Then click Next.

Note: If in your domain dizzy1 is not in a cluster, the selection screen will look a bit different. Select dizzy1 in either case.

On the next screen, keep all the default values and click Next.

Notice the "Archive Version" is set to the version name in the MANIFEST.MF file: v1.

On the next screen, select No, I will review the configuration later. Then click Finish.

Notice the messages that the deployment was installed, but changes must be activated. Also notice the simple (v1) application listed in the Deployments table. The "v1" in parentheses is the version name.

In the Change Center, click the Activate Changes button.

Notice the message that the changes have been activated. Also notice the simple (v1) application listed in the Deployments table is now in the "Prepared" state.

Select the check box to the left of the simple application in the Deployments table. Then use the Start drop-down list to select Servicing all requests.

Click Yes to continue.

A message is displayed indicating that a start request was sent. Momentarily you will see the State of the benefits application become "Active." This means that the application is available to those that have access to the server.

In another web browser, enter the host and port for the dizzy1 managed server, followed by /simple.

In this tutorial, the URL entered is:
http://host01.example.com:8003/simple

Enter information in the fields and click the OK button.

On the next screen, use the Start over... link to return to the first page.

Using the application in this way causes it to get an HTTP Session.

Important: Do NOT close this browser window. This will represent a client using the old version of the application.

Return to the Deployments page of the administration console.

In the Change Center, click the Lock & Edit button.

Select the check box to the left of the simple application in the Deployments table.

Then click the Update button.

On the next screen, click the Change Path button that corresponds to the Source path.

Find the Current Location field. Use the links to browse to the location where the zip file was extracted. Navigate to the directory deployversion2. There you will see simple.war with a radio button next to it. Select that radio button. By using the links and the radio button, the console fills in the Path field for you.

Alternatively, you can type in the path and file name in the Path field yourself.

Then click Next.

This version of the web application has a different version name specified in the MANIFEST.MF file: v2. It also has a different heading on its pages, so when you are running the application you can easily tell "Version 1" from "Version 2."

Back on the previous screen, the Source path has been updated to point to the simple.war file found in the deployversion2 directory.

Click the Next button.

On the next screen, notice that the Source path points to the new version. Also, notice that the Archive Version is now v2. Ensure that Allow the application to finish its current sessions and then retire is selected.

Click the Finish button.

In the Change Center, click the Activate Changes button.

In the Deployments table, notice that there are now two versions of the simple application. The one called simple (v1) has the state of "stop Running." This means that current users will continue using it. After all users have finished with it, and their sessions have timed out, the old version will be retired. The application called simple (v2) is "Active." All new users will use it.

To see whether the old version is still running for old users, return to the web browser that was left open. Enter information in the fields and click the OK button.

Make sure that on the second screen it still says "Version 1."

As long as the HTTP Session is valid, the old user will continue to use "Version 1."

In another web browser, enter the URL for the simple web application.

In this tutorial, the URL entered is:
http://host01.example.com:8003/simple

Note: You want this browser to use a different HTTP Session than the previous browser window. If you are using Firefox for the "old user" browser, you cannot also use Firefox for the "new user," because all windows (or tabs) of Firefox share one session. The best strategy is to use two different browser programs. For example, use Firefox for one browser and Chrome for the other.

Notice that as a new user of the application, "Version 2" appears in the title bar.

All new users will be using "Version 2."