Troubleshooting service module deployment failures

This topic describes the steps to take to determine the cause of a problem when deploying a service module. It also presents some possible solutions.

Before you begin

This topic assumes the following things:
  • You have a basic understanding of debugging a module.
  • Logging and tracing is active while the module is being deployed.

About this task

The task of troubleshooting a deployment begins after you receive notification of an error. There are various symptoms of a failed deployment that you have to inspect before taking action.

Procedure

  1. Determine if the application installation failed.
    Examine the SystemOut.log file for messages that specify the cause of failure. Some of the reasons an application might not install include the following:
    • You are attempting to install an application on multiple servers in the same Network Deployment cell.
    • An application has the same name as an existing module on the Network Deployment cell to which you are installing the application.
    • You are attempting to deploy Java EE modules within an EAR file to different target servers.
    Important: If the installation has failed and the application contains services, you must remove any SIBus destinations or JCA activation specifications created before the failure before attempting to reinstall the application. The simplest way to remove these artifacts is to click Save > Discard all after the failure. If you inadvertently save the changes, you must manually remove the SIBus destinations and JCA activation specifications (see Deleting SIBus destinations and Deleting JCA activation specifications).
  2. If the application is installed correctly, examine it to determine if it started successfully.

    If the application did not start successfully, the failure occurred when the server attempted to initiate the resources for the application.

    1. Examine the SystemOut.log file for messages that will direct you on how to proceed.
    2. Determine if resources required by the application are available or have started successfully.
      Resources that are not started prevent an application from running. This protects against lost information. The reasons for a resource not starting include:
      • Bindings are specified incorrectly
      • Resources are not configured correctly
      • Resources are not included in the resource archive (RAR) file
      • Web resources not included in the web services archive (WAR) file
    3. Determine if any components are missing.

      The reason for missing a component is an incorrectly built enterprise archive (EAR) file. Make sure that the all of the components required by the module are in the correct folders on the test system on which you built the Java™ archive (JAR) file. "Preparing to deploy to a server" contains additional information.

  3. Examine the application to see if there is information flowing through it.

    Even a running application can fail to process information. Reasons for this are similar to those mentioned in step 2.b.

    1. Determine if the application uses any services contained in another application. Make sure that the other application is installed and has started successfully.
    2. Determine if the import and export bindings for devices contained in other applications used by the failing application are configured correctly. Use the administrative console to examine and correct the bindings.
  4. Correct the problem and restart the application.
Parent topic: Troubleshooting and support for IBM Business Process Manager