Managing Java packages on agents in bulk

You can manage the Java distribution on your numerous agents by using Bulk Actions.

Ensure that a supported Java package is downloaded to the system.
Important:
  • The agents support Java 11 and earlier versions.
  • You can upload and manage Java only on the operating systems that have compact agents. Agents on operating systems like z/OS cannot manage Java.
  • Deploy does not support native operating package formats or package installation tools.
  • The compatible file extensions are .zip, .tar, .tar.gz, .tgz, .tar.bz2, and .tbz2.
  • Newer IBM Java packages might have operating system prerequisites, such as installing updated system C++ runtime libraries. Deploy does not support installing such prerequisites.

When you have multiple agents running in your production environment, it can become difficult to apply Java patches regularly. Using Bulk Actions, you can manage Java packages on your agents with just a few clicks.

You must consider the following scenarios before you manage Java on your agents:
  • Deploy does not support native operating package formats or package installation tools.
  • The compatible file extensions are .zip, .tar, .tar.gz, .tgz, .tar.bz2, and .tbz2.
  • Newer IBM Java packages might have operating system prerequisites, such as installing updated system C++ runtime libraries. Deploy does not support installing such prerequisites.
  1. Upload the required Java package.
    1. Click Settings > System > Manage Java Packages.
    2. Upload a Java package by clicking Add Package.
    3. Provide a name for the Java package to upload.
    4. Click Choose File, select the Java package to upload and click Submit.
      The Java package is uploaded into the system.
  2. Set the Java package as preferred for the OS and CPU type from the menu option.
    Typically, you must set at least one Java package as preferred for each OS and CPU type.
  3. Go to the Agents page and select the agents for which you want to update the Java.
  4. Install the preferred Java package by clicking Bulk Actions > Install Preferred Java Package and confirming the action.
    A message window opens, indicating that the Java installation has started. The installation might take some time. You can close the message window while the installation runs in the background.
  5. Verify that the Java is installed for the agents by checking the Version column.
  6. Set the JAVA_HOME on the agents by clicking Bulk Actions > Set Java Home to Preferred Java Package and confirming the action.
    A message window opens, indicating that the Java update request was sent. This step might take some time. You can close the message window while the JAVA_HOME is updated in the background.
  7. Verify that the Java home is updated for the agents.
  8. Restart the agents by clicking Bulk Actions > Restart.
    Agents restart and run with the new Java version. You can refresh the Agents page to check if the agents are online.
You have managed to upload, install, and update Java packages on your agents in bulk.
You can remove unused Java package versions by clicking Bulk Actions > Remove Unused Java Packages.