What is the version of Java WAS 8.5 is using..


Sometimes  we need to find out  what is the version of java is actually being used and configured with Websphere Application Server, we can find this out by looking at the system out log(SystemOut.log) but this can be a little confusing, below are some ways to help you identify what the output of a such a log file means.

With IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) v8.5.0.0, you can install Java 7.0 as an optional feature. WAS 8.5.0 comes with Java 6 as the default Java SDK. Java 7.0 can be added at any point in time to the installation, thereby adding the Java 7.0 SDK selection to the possible choices of Java SDKs that can be used.

SystemOut.log:
 
1)  Using Java 6 with no Java 7 package installed (default)
************ Start Display Current Environment ************
WebSphere Platform 8.5.5.0 [ND 8.5.5.0 gm1319.01] running with process name
Host Operating System is Windows 7, version 6.1
Java version = 1.6.0, Java Compiler = j9jit26, Java VM name = IBM J9 VM
was.install.root = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85
user.install.root = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\profiles\AppSrv01
Java Home = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\java\jre
ws.ext.dirs = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85/java/lib;C:\Program Files\IBM\WAS
Classpath = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\profiles\AppSrv01/properties;C:\Pro
Java Library path = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85/lib/native/win/x86_64/;C:\P
Orb Version = IBM Java ORB build orb626-20130112.01
************* End Display Current Environment *************
 
Now the next step is to install Java7 package via the  Installation Manager.
 
2) Using Java 6 with the optional Java 7 package installed but not yet enabled

 ************ Start Display Current Environment ************
WebSphere [IBMJAVA7 7.0.4.1 gm1318.03]Platform 8.5.5.0 [ND 8.5.5.0 gm1319.01] running with process name
Host Operating System is Windows 7, version 6.1
Java version = 1.6.0, Java Compiler = j9jit26, Java VM name = IBM J9 VM
was.install.root = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85
user.install.root = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\profiles\AppSrv01
Java Home = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\java\jre
ws.ext.dirs = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85/java/lib;C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\profiles\AppSrv01/class
Classpath = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\profiles\AppSrv01/properties;C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85/prope
Java Library path = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85/lib/native/win/x86_64/;C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\jav
Orb Version = IBM Java ORB build orb626-20130112.01
************* End Display Current Environment *************

If we are using Java 6 with the optional java 7 package which is installed but not enabled we can enable it using the managesdk command.

Steps to switch over to the use of Java 7:

 C:\Program Files\IBM\WAS85\profiles\AppSrv01\bin>managesdk.bat -listAvailable
CWSDK1003I: Available SDKs :
CWSDK1005I: SDK name: 1.6_64
CWSDK1005I: SDK name: 1.7_64
CWSDK1001I: Successfully performed the requested managesdk task.

C:\Program Files\IBM\WAS85\profiles\AppSrv01\bin>managesdk.bat -enableProfileAll -sdkname 1.7_64 -enableServers
CWSDK1017I: Profile AppSrv01 now enabled to use SDK 1.7_64.
CWSDK1001I: Successfully performed the requested managesdk task.
 

 3) Using Java 7

 ************ Start Display Current Environment ************
WebSphere [IBMJAVA7 7.0.4.1 gm1318.03]Platform 8.5.5.0 [ND 8.5.5.0 gm1319.01] running with process name
Host Operating System is Windows 7, version 6.1
Java version = 1.7.0, Java Compiler = j9jit26, Java VM name = IBM J9 VM
was.install.root = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85
user.install.root = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\profiles\AppSrv01
Java Home = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\java_1.7_64\jre
ws.ext.dirs = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85/java_1.7_64/lib;C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\profiles\AppSrv0
Classpath = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\profiles\AppSrv01/properties;C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85/prope
Java Library path = C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85/lib/native/win/x86_64/;C:\Program Files\IBM\WASND85\jav
Orb Version = IBM Java ORB build orb70-20130112.01
************* End Display Current Environment *************


Note: WAS v8.5.5.2 with Java 7.0 installed cannot update from Java 7.0 to Java 7.1., Java 7.1 is a different version of Java and has to be installed on an existing installation to take advantage of the Java 7.1 features. Once this is complete, 3 JDKs will exist.

  • Java 6
  • Java 7.0(1.7_64)
  • Java 7.1(1.7.1_64)
Summary :
  • Java 6 is the product's default Java SDK that is installed as part of the installation from the offering.
  • Java 7.0 is a feature extension and can be downloaded from Passport Advantage or by using Live repository.
  • Java 7.1 is a feature extension which can be installed on WAS v8.5.5.2. It is not available for Solaris and HP UNIX.
  • Refer to this document for the Java versions that is shipped with WebSphere Application Server http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27005002
Switching SDK Between Profiles/JVMs
Installing the optional Java 7.0 or Java 7.1 does not imply that profiles can take advantage of this new version of Java.  The managesdk command has to be used to switch Java or the WAS Admin Console. wsadmin can also be used.
System administration in WebSphere Application Server V8.5, Part 4: Using pluggable SDK 7 to enable WebSphere Application Server for Java 7
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/1209_hall/1209_hall.html
Installation with the Liberty feature and IBM WebSphere SDK Java Technology Edition 7.0.1.
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/ieduasst/v1r1m0/index.jsp?topic=/com.ibm.iea.was_v8/was/8.5/Installation.html