PM44580: Installation Manager: Error message reported by Import function needs improvement in circumstances where "NIFStack" is empty.

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• The Installation Manager "Import" feature is responsible for
  allowing Installation Manager to recognize and update instances
  of WebSphere Application Server V7.0 which were installed using
  the product's original install program or a Custom Install
  Package.  The Import feature reads the data of the NIFStack.xml
  and NIFHistory.xml files in the product's
  WSAS_HOME/properties/version/nif/backup directory.
  
  If the NIFHistory.xml is empty or NIFStack.xml is empty, then
  Installation Manager produces this message:
  
  --------
  Synchronization Error
  Installation Manager cannot locate synchronization data for the
  installation package.  To access the package data, you must
  configure repository connections and ensure that you can access
  the network or repository media.
  --------
  
  Although it is approprite to display an error message under
  these circumstances, that error message is not specific enough
  to indicate that the WebSphere Application Server V7.0 product
  is missing critical data.  This APAR will address this by
  modifying the error message to indicate that there may be a
  problem with the NIFHistory or NIFStack.xml files.
  

Local fix

• If the NIFStack.xml or NIFHistory.xml files in a WebSphere
  Application Server V7.0 instance are lost or lose their data,
  then a good copy of those files must be restored from a backup
  of the product's files.  These files are dynamically generated
  and are critical to the product, and the product cannot be
  updated if the files are lost.
  
  This APAR will update the error message to convey more accurate
  information about the problem when the NIFStack or NIFHistory
  files are lost.
  

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:                                              *
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  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:                                         *
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  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
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  Nonspecific error message in the IMPORT function causing
  delay to find root cause of the problem.
  

Problem conclusion

• Error message fixed in IM 1.5.1
  

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

  IBM INSTALL MGR

• Fixed component ID

  RATLIMG00

Applicable component levels

• R133 PSN

     UP