IBM B2B Integrator 6.

0 with support for Docker Container

With our Gateway 6.0 launch, both B2B Integrator 6.0 and File Gateway 6.0
now support Docker containers. In this blog I’ll explain what this means and
how containers can make your life easier.
A refresher on containers
Let’s start with a quick overview of containers. A container is simply a new
way to deliver applications. It is a lightweight, standalone, executable pack of
software that includes everything you need to run an application. Much like
virtual machines (VMs) disrupted the hardware model and virtualized
hardware, containers are doing the same to VMs with operating system-level
virtualization, also referred to as containerization.
This table below provides a snapshot of the differences between containers
and VMs.

The following use case brings the differences to life.

Imagine you have six environments – two production, two QA and two
development. With VMs you need six different boxes and six licenses, and you
must install the application on each box. With containers, the operating
system (OS) is included so you save on OS costs and you don’t need six
different licenses. But more than that, you can have multiple containers on
one platform. This increase in application density and consolidation increases
efficiencies and saves infrastructure costs.
Docker containers
Our partner for containerization is Docker – a name that has become
synonymous with containers. You might be wondering why they chose the
name Docker. It goes back to the history of shipping, which you can probably
tell by looking at the company’s logo.

Before the advent of containers, loading and keeping track of everything you
wanted to transport on a ship was chaotic. You’ve likely seen old movies with
dock workers running up and down planks with sacks of goods on their backs
and hauling trunks. Containers made it possible to fit more on a ship by
stacking containers on top of each other and made it easier to manage and
track shipments. Much like containers simplified the shipping of goods, they
are now simplifying the “shipping” of applications.
Simplifying deployment
If you choose to use containers, one of the first things you’ll experience is a
streamlined deployment process. In traditional application deployment
models, the IT team has to make sure all the application dependencies are
present on the machine where the application will be running. These
dependencies include the operating system (OS) itself, the environment
variables, the system libraries and any requirements the application itself has.
With containerization, an application and all the dependencies and
prerequisites are bundled with the application. So, when IBM ships a product
in a container the OS is there, the environment variables are set, the libraries
are set to our requirements, the product is installed, and all the system
requirements are there, like the IBM JDK and JCE. This makes it possible to
deploy anywhere, faster and easier, without knowing what exists on the
destination server where you want the application to run.
How to get started
You have options on how to get started today. We are continuing to support
our traditional installation method (using the IBM Installation Manager) along
with Docker containers. If you are current on Service & Support and entitled,
you can access Docker images via the IBM Bluemix Docker Repository. To
access Bluemix, you will need to open a support ticket to request access. Once
access is granted you can download and apply maintenance from the Bluemix
repository. You choose your container orchestration platform, Docker
Enterprise Edition or Docker Community Edition. See Docker Requirements.
We also offer both traditional e-images via IBM Installation Manager
“traditional install” method and Docker images through Passport Advantage.
The Docker image on Passport Advantage is a bundled “tar” ball.
Recommendation would be to use the Bluemix Docker Repository. The
upgrade guides are available now for IBM B2B Integrator 6.0 and IBM File
Gateway 6.0. If you have any questions, please contact your IBM rep or
business partner who are always ready to help or reach out to support.
Note: Our current Docker container support is Linux-based only and does not
support Global Mailbox. Our published list of Docker limitations is here. Please
check back frequently as we are working actively to expand support.

How Docker containers can make your life easier

IBM is including support for Docker containers with B2B Integrator 6.0 and
File Gateway 6.0 because the cost savings and efficiencies are real. Plus, it can
simplify the transition to hybrid cloud for those of you considering that. Here’s
how:
Save time and money. As I explained earlier, containers allow you to save on
hardware and software license costs, but they also help you save on
installation. Because Docker containers include everything you need to run an
application, installation time is reduced from hours to minutes. Our testing
shows that using containers can save you as much as 60% in installation time
and costs when compared to using IBM Installation Manager.
Strengthen security and simplify maintenance. Docker containers make it fast
and easy to apply updates and patches for security vulnerabilities to the OS
and application. For example, when you upgrade to a new version of B2B
Integrator or File Gateway, Docker containers know what to install and not
install based on what is already on your system. Research by Docker finds that
some of their clients spend 80% of their entire IT budget on maintaining
legacy applications. Docker says this can be reduced to 30% with a successful
implementation of Docker containers.
Simplify your hybrid cloud journey. Using containers and container
orchestration software that typically resides on-premise, you can deploy
applications quickly in both private and public clouds. You can easily scale up
and scale down as you progress through your hybrid cloud journey.
Additional Reference:

Vedio File:
What is new in IBM B2B Integrator 6.0 and IBM File Gateway 6.0 -
https://mediacenter.ibm.com/media/t/1_pl6f8x9c

Knowledge Centre Link

Use Docker container to install and deploy Sterling B2B Integrator -
https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SS3JSW_6.0.0/installin
g/installing/integrator/SI_InstallingDocker.html