PI49369: STARTING APPLICATIONS CONTINUOUSLY FAIL WITH NULLPOINTEREXCEPTION

8.5.5.9: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 9
8.5.5.10: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 10
8.5.5.11: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 11
8.5.5.12: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 12
8.5.5.13: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 13
8.5.5.14: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 14
8.5.5.15: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 15
8.5.5.17: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 17
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

• After a failure starting an application, starting an
  application continuously fails with NullPointerException in
  WebCollaboratorComponentMetaDataImpl.getGlobalTranConfigData()
  method;
  
  --------------------------------------------
  [15/09/17 16:26:16:805 JST] 0000009b LTPAServerObj E
  SECJ0373E:
  Cannot create credential for the user <null> due to failed
  validation of the LTPA token. The exception is
  com.ibm.websphere.wim.exception.WIMException
  at com.ibm.ws.wim.tx.JTAHelper.handleException
  (JTAHelper.java:245)
  at
  com.ibm.websphere.wim.ServiceProvider.createRootDataObject
  (ServiceProvid er.java:326)
  at com.ibm.ws.wim.registry.util.SecurityNameBridge.
  getUserSecurityName(Secu rityNameBridge.java:144)
  
  >>>
  
  Caused by: java.lang.NullPointerException
  at
  com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.metadata.WebCollaboratorComponent
  MetaDataImpl.getGlobalTranConfigData
  (WebCollaboratorComponentMetaDataImp l.java:242)
  at
  com.ibm.ws.extensionhelper.tran.impl.TransactionControlImpl.
  preinvoke(Tr ansactionControlImpl.java:151)
  at
  com.ibm.websphere.wim.ServiceProvider.createRootDataObject
  (ServiceProvid er.java:320)
  --------------------------------------------
  

Local fix

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  IBM WebSphere Application Server Full       *
  *                  Profile version 8.5.5 users of              *
  *                  WebContainer.                               *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: Upon restarting an application in       *
  *                      certain cases, a                        *
  *                      java.lang.NullPointerException is       *
  *                      thrown.                                 *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  An exception, other than javax.servlet.ServletException,
  thrown by the javax.servlet.ServletContainerInitializer during
  application initialization causes the WebContainer to not
  clean the thread correctly. Upon restarting an application on
  the same thread, a java.lang.NullPointerException similar to
  the following is thrown:
  java.lang.NullPointerException
  at
  com.ibm.ws.webcontainer.metadata.WebCollaboratorComponentMetaDat
  aImpl.getJ2EEName(WebCollaboratorComponentMetaDataImpl.java:79)
  at
  com.ibm.ws.runtime.component.ApplicationServerImpl$1.getValue(Ap
  plicationServerImpl.java:113
  

Problem conclusion

• The WebContainer has been modified to clean up the thread
  correctly and avoid to the java.lang.NullPointerException.
  
  The fix for this APAR is currently targeted for inclusion in
  fix pack 8.5.5.9.
  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