Blank admin console on WebSphere Application Server for z/OS after upgrade to 8.5.5 with 8.5.5.0-WS-WAS-IFPM89423 8.5.5000.20130528_1047

Content

Versions affected:
WebSphere Application Server on z/OS 8.5.5 with ifix 8.5.5.0-WS-WAS-IFPM89423 8.5.5000.20130528_1047. Other platforms are not affected.

Problem Description:
The recommended Interim Fix list for WebSphere Application Server z/OS 8.5.5 includes the fix for PM89423. This particular ifix corrupts the node-metadata.properties config file on the z/OS platform, and causes the admin console to display a blank screen.

The node-metadata.properties file found in <profile_root>/config/cells/<cellname>/nodes/<owning_nodename>
will be missing the following two properties:

com.ibm.websphere.deployed.features and
com.ibm.websphere.baseRuntimeComponents

In addition it contains one long line of EBCDIC code.

Solutions:
Apply Interim Fix APAR PM93496, which replaces the original APAR PM89423 (as specified below).

There are 2 situations which need special handling in case the package was installed with "-installFixes recommended" and did NOT contain the ifix for APAR PM93496.

A) If the server was started and the node-metadata.properties file is corrupt:
A1. restore the node-metadata.properties from a backup copy
A2. apply the Interim Fix for APAR PM93496
A3. restart the server.



B) If the server has not been started yet
B1. uninstall 8.5.5.0-WS-WAS-IFPM89423_8.5.5000.20130528_1047
B2. download and install the ifix for APAR PM93496 (see download location below)
B3. start the server


Interim fix for PM93496 download location:

http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg24035578