PH08898: WebSphere v8.5.5 Job Scheduler throws NullPointerException

9.0.5.0: WebSphere Application Server traditional Version 9.0.5 Refresh Pack
9.0.5.1: WebSphere Application Server traditional Version 9.0.5 Fix Pack 1
9.0.5.2: WebSphere Application Server traditional Version 9.0.5 Fix Pack 2
8.5.5.17: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 17
9.0.5.3: WebSphere Application Server traditional Version 9.0.5 Fix Pack 3
8.5.5.20: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5.20
8.5.5.18: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 18
8.5.5.19: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 19
8.5.5.16: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 16
8.5.5.21: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5.21

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• In Websphere Application Server v8.5.5.x, Java Batch Job
  Scheduler fails with NullPointerException:
  CWLRB6109E: Caught exception in
  JobSchedulerMDB.JobWatcher.alarm: java.lang.NullPointerException
  at
  com.ibm.ws.batch.JobSchedulerMDB$JobWatcher.alarm(JobSchedule
  rMD B.java:1794)
  at com.ibm.ejs.util.am._Alarm.runImpl(_Alarm.java:151)
  at com.ibm.ejs.util.am._Alarm.run(_Alarm.java:136)
  at com.ibm.ws.util.ThreadPool$Worker.run(ThreadPool.java:1892)
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  All users of IBM WebSphere Application      *
  *                  Server Java Batch                           *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: A NullPointerException can occur under  *
  *                      load submitting jobs via WSGRID         *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  When several job submissions occur via WSGRID, a timing issue
  could lead to an internal variable being accessed prior to
  complete initialization during multi threaded access
  

Problem conclusion

• A code update has been made to properly initialize and use
  this object for multi-threaded access
  
  The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in
  fix pack 9.0.5.0 and 8.5.5.16.  Please refer to the
  Recommended
  Updates page for delivery information:
  http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?
  rs=180&uid=swg27004980
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  WEBS APP SERV N

• Fixed component ID

  5724H8800

Applicable component levels

• R850 PSY

     UP

• R900 PSY

     UP