Installing Java SDK 8.0 on WAS 8.5.5.x

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NOTE: Java SDK 6, going out of support, is embedded in WebSphere Application Server traditional V8.5 as the default Java SDK. Review details on WebSphere Application Server traditional: Support ends in April 2018. The end of Java SE 6: Where to go from here    

Liberty: Support ends on September 2017 and that fix pack (17.0.0.3) will be compiled at the Java 7 level, so will not run. In this blog we will cover WebSphere Application Server traditional in detail.

Existing users updating from previous a fix pack continue to have embedded Java SDK 6 until Java SDK 6 goes End Of Support in April 2018. The next fix pack for 8.5.5.x shipped after April 2018 will replace the default Java SDK 6 with Java SDK 8.0. A warning message will be displayed in the GUI or console and also in the install log if users install or update with embedded Java SDK 6.

New installation of 8.5.5.11 has an option to install with embedded Java SDK 6 or embedded Java SDK 8. The default selection is Java 8 in GUI mode. Users need to explicitly select Java SDK 8 or Java SDK 6 for command line installs.

In this blog we will cover both new and existing Installs along with the options available.

New Install of 8.5.5.11

1. Command Line

New property (via –properties) to choose between Java SDK 8 or Java SDK 6 as the embedded SDK for new installs: user.wasjava=java8 or user.wasjava=java6

For new installation of:

• AppServer and AppClient, this property must be specified.
• Supplemental offerings, such as WCT, IHS and PLUGINS, the property value will be default to Java SDK 8 if user.wasjava=java6 not specified.

Sample command to install WebSphere Application Server ND 8.5.5.11 with Java SDK 8 as default:

imcl install com.ibm.websphere.ND.v85_8.5.5011.20161206_1434,core.feature,ejbdeploy,thinclient,embeddablecontainer,com.ibm.sdk.6_64bit -installationDirectory

C:\IBM\WebSphere\AppServer -repositories C:\Rep855,C:\Rep8511 -acceptLicense -showProgress -properties user.wasjava=java8 -preferences

com.ibm.cic.common.core.preferences.keepFetchedFiles=false,com.ibm.cic.common.core.preferences.preserveDownloadedArtifacts=false

• WebSphere Application Server 8.5.5 Repository :    C:\Rep855
• WebSphere Application Server 8.5.5.11 Repository : C:\Rep8511

2. Using Response File

Here is sample response file which can be used to install WebSphere Application Server (Base) 8.5.5.11 with Java SDK 8 as default: 

<agent-input>

  <variables>

    <variable name='sharedLocation' value='C:\IMSharedtest'/>

  </variables>

  <server>

    <repository location='C:\Rep855'/>

    <repository location='C:\Rep8511'/>

  </server>

    <profile id='IBM WebSphere Application Server V8.5' installLocation='C:\IBM\WebSphere\AppServer8511j8'>

      <data key='user.wasjava' value='java8'/>

    </profile>

  <install>

        <offering profile='IBM WebSphere Application Server V8.5' id='com.ibm.websphere.BASE.v85' version='8.5.5011.20161206_1434'

features='core.feature,ejbdeploy,thinclient,embeddablecontainer,com.ibm.sdk.6_64bit'/>

  </install>

  <preference name='com.ibm.cic.common.core.preferences.eclipseCache' value='${sharedLocation}'/>

  <preference name='offering.service.repositories.areUsed' value='false'/>

</agent-input>

3. Graphical Installation

Add WebSphere Application Server 8.5.5 and fix pack 8.5.5.11 repository to Installation Manager Repositories (File - Preferences - Repositories -- Add Repository)

The default is Java SDK 8 unless you select Java SDK 6 as shown in screen shot below:

This is same option for supplemental offerings, such as WCT, IHS and PLUGINS during Graphical Install.

If you install 8.5.5.11 with default Java SDK 8 that is at 8.5.5.11 or higher with above options, then for any Java ifix install the Java SDK 8 ifix that has the naming convention for WebSphere Application Server traditional 8.5.5 embedded Java SDK 8.

iFix – v.r.m.f-WS-[WASJavaSDK | WASBundledJavaSDK8]-[Platform-Arch]-[IFapar-number]

Example

– [java8] 8.5.5.11-WS-WASBundledJavaSDK8-AixPPC64-IFPIxxxxx

– [java6] 8.5.5.11-WS-WASJavaSDK-AixPPC64-IFPIxxxxx

Embedded Java SDK 8 iFix cannot be installed in an installation with embedded Java SDK 6.

Existing Install of 8.5.5.10 or less

 When applying fix pack 8.5.5.11 warning message will appear during the install:

WARNING: Your default Java SDK is Java SE 6. After April 2018, service for Java SE 6 can no longer be provided, which could expose your environment to security risks. To stay current and reduce the risk of security exposures, update to Java SE 8 using one of the following options:

- Install WebSphere Application Server 8.5.5.11 or later with Java SE 8.

- Migrate to WebSphere Application Server traditional Version 9. WARNING: Your default Java SDK is Java SE 6. After April 2018, service for Java SE 6 can no longer be provided, which could expose your environment to security risks.

To stay current and reduce the risk of security exposures, update to Java SE 8 using one of the following options:

- Install WebSphere Application Server 8.5.5.11 or later with Java SE 8.

- Migrate to WebSphere Application Server traditional Version 9.

Screen Shot:

This message is only valid for WebSphere Application Server (ND, Base, Express). This can be ignored for Supplemental Offerings (IHS, Plugin, WCT and AppClient). Java is not used by IBM HTTP Server and IBM Plugin for runtime. It is just used by the "configuration related scripts" that are included with these offerings. IBM HTTP Server uses Java SDK for ikeyman also.

The warning message shown during install of fix pack on IBM HTTP Server and IBM Plugins can be ignored. The next fix pack shipped after April 2018 will be packaged to replace Java SDK 6 shipped with IHS and Plugin to supported Java (most likely Java SDK 8). For WebSphere Application Server (ND/BASE/ Express) clients should consider to move to Java SDK 7 or higher (Java SDK 8 is recommended) as soon as possible because applications need to be tested on new Java SDK. This is the prime reason why a warning message is being shown so it gives enough time to test and upgrade Java on WebSphere Application Server.

Please ensure your operating System is supported for Java SDK 8.0 as per prerequisite as noted in the link below :
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27045339

Once Java SDK 6.0 is end of support the OS will also need to be supported to support Java SDK 8.0.

For more details on install of optional Java SDK 7.x on WebSphere Application Server 8.5.x please review my previous blog, Installing optional Java  SDK 7.x on WebSphere Application Server 8.5.

For Java SDK 8 on existing install please download Java SDK 8 from 8.5.5.9: WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 Fix Pack 9 and use managesdk command as mentioned in above blog to switch to Java SDK 8.

For additional reference, see Java SE 6 end of service in WebSphere Application Server V8.5.