In webMethods 9.7 and 9.8, the webMethods Broker release number is still 9.6 and is the same release that was available with webMethods 9.6.If the existing webMethods Broker 9.6 from the webMethods 9.6 or 9.7 release is installed on its own machine, you can continue using it with your 9.8 products. However, you must still follow all instructions and perform all tasks for webMethods Broker in this chapter and in Complete the webMethods Broker Upgrade.

If you want to upgrade to a machine that is running a different operating system or has different hardware than the old machine, or if you want webMethods Broker to exist with other 9.8 products in the same installation directory, you must install webMethods Broker 9.6 from the webMethods 9.8 release. You can install on a machine that is running the same or higher operating system and has the same hardware (for example, both have AMD, or both have Intel) as the old machine. Make sure you follow all instructions and perform all tasks for webMethods Broker in this chapter and in Complete the webMethods Broker Upgrade.

Broker Server 9.6 is compatible with webMethods Broker 9.5, 9.0, and 8.2 command-line utilities; Broker client APIs for C, C#, Java, and JMS; and clients for JMS. Broker Server 9.5, 9.0, and 8.2 are compatible with webMethods Broker 9.6 command-line utilities, Broker client APIs for C, C#, and Java; and the webMethods Broker user interface in My webMethods.