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Installation Guide

Installing WebLogic Server Service Packs and Rolling Patches

You can upgrade your WebLogic Server 7.0 installation by using one of two methods: Smart Update or a downloadable upgrade installer. The following sections describe how to upgrade your software using either method:

- WebLogic Server Service Packs and Rolling Patches

- Important Note About Updating WebLogic Server 7.0 GA

- Installing Service Packs and Rolling Patches Using Smart Update

- Installing Service Packs and Rolling Patches with a Downloadable Installer

- What's Next?

WebLogic Server Service Packs and Rolling Patches

Periodically, BEA releases a service pack or a rolling patch for WebLogic Server. A service pack is an update to an existing release that includes solutions to known problems and other product enhancements. Service packs typically do not replace an installation of WebLogic Server, but rather change and add to the installation. A rolling patch provides bug fixes between service pack updates.

Note: Service pack and rolling patch updates are available for registered support customers only from a password-protected Web site. You must log in to the BEA Customer Support Web site to download the updates. If you do not have an eSupport account, you can register for one at http://support.bea.com.

You can install service packs and rolling patches using the following methods:

- Use Smart Update to search for, download, and install software updates from the BEA Web site. Smart Update downloads only the updates for the software components currently installed in the target BEA Home directory. For instructions, see Installing Service Packs and Rolling Patches Using Smart Update.

  Note: Smart Update upgrades your Windows installation to use the Sun Java 2 SDK and your Linux installation to use the WebLogic JRockit SDK. If you want to use a different SDK, you should use a WebLogic Platform upgrade installer that is bundled with the appropriate SDK or change the SDK, as described in "Switching JVMs in WebLogic Platform" in the WebLogic Platform Release Notes, at the following URL:

  http://e-docs.bea.com/platform/docs70/relnotes/relnotes.html#nonbundledJVM

- Download the package upgrade installer from the BEA Customer Support Web site at http://support.bea.com. The upgrade installation program supports graphical and console modes of installation. For instructions, see Installing Service Packs and Rolling Patches with a Downloadable Installer.

Both Smart Update and the package upgrade installer create a backup file containing the media state of the current installation and information about files that were added during the upgrade. This backup file is used to restore system state if any errors occur during installation, and when you uninstall or roll back an upgrade installation. For a typical upgrade installation of WebLogic Platform (that is, all WebLogic Platform component products installed), the backup file requires a minimum of 250MB of available disk space.

Important Notes About the Package Upgrade Installer

The following lists important notes about the package upgrade installer:

- The upgrade installer only updates files installed by the WebLogic Platform installation program.

- The package upgrade installer replaces the JVM in the current installation with the JVM that is bundled with the package upgrade installer. For example, if your current installation uses the Sun JVM and you upgrade your installation using a package upgrade installer that is bundled with the WebLogic JRockit JVM, the resulting installation will use the WebLogic JRockit JVM.

- If you are not using the JVM that was bundled with the WebLogic Platform installation and you have edited your scripts to reference the new JVM location, the upgrade installer will not update all of the edited scripts appropriately unless you edit the scripts to restore the original JVM values.

  To avoid manual editing in the future, it is recommended that you rename the non-bundled JVM to match the directory structure of the bundled JVM, as described in "Switching JVMs in WebLogic Platform" in the WebLogic Platform Release Notes at the following URL:

  http://e-docs.bea.com/platform/docs81/relnotes/relnotes.html#nonbundledJVM

- The upgrade installer does not update any user-created files, or directories created using the Configuration Wizard (user_projects by default).

- Temporary patches are not compatible across service packs. If you installed a temporary patch and updated your classpath to reference the patch, you may need to remove any references to the patch from your classpath.

Important Note If You Use the Node Manager in a Clustered Environment

If you are using Node Manager to manage your servers in a clustered environment, you should back up the following directory and files on all machines that are running the Node Manager before upgrading your installations:

Windows:
WL_HOME\common\nodemanager
WL_HOME\server\bin\startNodeManager.cmd

UNIX:
WL_HOME/common/nodemanager
WL_HOME/server/bin/startNodeManager.sh

In these pathnames, WL_HOME is the root directory of your WebLogic Platform installation, for example, c:\bea\weblogic700.

Once the upgrade installation is complete, you should restore these files.

For more information about Node Manager, see "Managing Server Availability with Node Manager" in Creating and Configuring WebLogic Server Domains at:

http://e-docs.bea.com/wls/docs70/admin_domain/nodemgr.html

Important Note About Updating WebLogic Server 7.0 GA

If you installed the stand-alone WebLogic Server 7.0 GA release (version 7.0.0.0) and did not upgrade to the version available with WebLogic Platform 7.0 (WebLogic Server version 7.0.0.1), you cannot use Smart Update to install service packs. Instead you can use a package upgrade installer that you can download from the BEA Customer Support Web site at http://support.bea.com. For instructions, see Installing Service Packs and Rolling Patches with a Downloadable Installer. After you install a service pack, you can use Smart Update to install future service packs.

To see which version of WebLogic Server you have installed, open BEA_HOME\logs\log.txt (BEA_HOME/logs/log.txt on UNIX) in a text editor and look at the last entry in the log file. Each line in the log file represents an installation event for the current BEA home—an installation or an uninstallation. If the log entry indicates that the version installed is WebLogic Platform 7.0 SP0 or earlier, you cannot use Smart Update. If the log entry indicates that the version installed is WebLogic Platform 7.0.0.1 or later, you can use Smart Update to install Service Pack 1 (7.0.1.0) and future service packs.

Note: WebLogic Server and WebLogic Platform use the same installation framework. Therefore, installation log entries use the term WebLogic Platform to indicate an installation of either WebLogic Server or WebLogic Platform.

Installing Service Packs and Rolling Patches Using Smart Update

Note: Smart Update upgrades your Windows installation to use the Sun Java 2 SDK and your Linux installation to use the WebLogic JRockit SDK. If you want to use a different SDK, you should use a WebLogic Platform upgrade installer that is bundled with the appropriate SDK or change the SDK, as described in "Switching JVMs in WebLogic Platform" in the WebLogic Platform Release Notes, at the following URL:

http://e-docs.bea.com/platform/docs70/relnotes/relnotes.html#nonbundledJVM

You can use the Smart Update feature to periodically check for available software updates. When you start Smart Update, it checks the version of products installed (associated with the current BEA Home directory), and then connects to the BEA Web site to check for available service packs. The Smart Update window includes three panes:

- Installed Products—The left pane of the Smart Update window contains a tree displaying product and release information for products installed in the target BEA Home directory.

- Upgrade Options—The top-right pane lists the service packs and rolling patches, if any, that are available for the installed products.

- Downgrade Options—The bottom-right pane lists the versions of the product to which you can revert your installation, if applicable. For details about uninstalling maintenance upgrades with Smart Update, see Uninstalling a Service Pack or Rolling Patch with Smart Update.

Note: Smart Update only checks for products associated with the current BEA Home directory. If you have multiple BEA Home directories on your system, you must run Smart Update for each one to install available service packs. For more information about BEA Home directories, see BEA Home Directory.

To install service packs or rolling patches using Smart Update, follow these steps:

1. Shut down any servers that are running. Hot installation of a service pack or rolling patch is not supported.

2. Start Smart Update as described in Table 6-1.

   Table 6-1 Starting Smart Update

   To start Smart Update on this platform . . . | Perform the following steps . . .
   --- | ---
   Windows | From the Start Menu: Choose Start—>Programs—>BEA WebLogic Platform 7.0—>Smart Update From an MS-DOS command prompt window: 1. Go to the BEA_HOME/utils directory, where BEA_HOME is the BEA Home directory in which you installed WebLogic Server. 2. Enter the following command at the prompt: bsu.cmd The BEA Smart Update window is displayed.
   UNIX Note: To run Smart Update on a UNIX system, your console must support a Java-based GUI. | 1. Log in to the UNIX system. 2. Open a command shell and change to the BEA_HOME/utils directory. 3. Enter the following command: bsu.sh The BEA Smart Update window is displayed.

3. In the left pane of the Smart update window, select the release for the product you want to update.

   Available service packs or rolling patches, if any, are displayed in the Upgrade Options section of the window.

4. In the Upgrade Options pane, select the service pack or rolling patch to install and click OK.

   The Enter BEA eSupport Identification dialog box is displayed.

5. Enter your valid username and password and click Verify.

   Note: You must have a valid eSupport account to install a service pack or rolling patch using Smart Update. You can register for an account at http://support.bea.com.

   The BEA Installation Program Welcome window is displayed.

6. Click Next to proceed with the installation. You may cancel the installation at any time by clicking Exit.

   The Downloading Archive Information window is displayed briefly, followed by the Specify Download Options window.

7. Indicate your preferences for downloading the software as follows:

   - Specify a storage directory to which you want to download the software upgrade source files.

   - Indicate whether you want to delete the downloaded files after the installation is complete by selecting the appropriate check box. If you do not select this check box, the downloaded files are saved to the storage directory you specify.

   - Indicate whether you want to use an HTTP Proxy server for the download by selecting the appropriate check box. To use an HTTP Proxy server, you must provide the following information:

     Host—enter the name or IP address of the proxy server

     Port—enter the port number of the proxy server

8. Click Next.

   The Archive Download window is displayed.

9. Indicate whether you want to proceed with the installation automatically after the download is complete by selecting or clearing the appropriate check box. This check box is selected by default. If you clear it, you need to click Next when the download is complete to proceed with the installation.

   When the download is complete, the Archive Integrity Check window is displayed while it verifies the integrity of the upgrade archive files you downloaded.

   When the archive verification is complete, the Confirm Product Directory window is displayed, which contains the path to the BEA home directory and to the product directory in which the WebLogic Server software will be updated.

10. Click Next to proceed with the upgrade installation.

    A status window displays the progress of the installation.

11. Click Done on the Installation Complete window.

    The Smart Update window is displayed. The Installed Products pane shows the upgraded release level.

Installing Service Packs and Rolling Patches with a Downloadable Installer

When a service pack or rolling patch for WebLogic Server is available, you can download the release from the BEA Customer Support Web site at http://support.bea.com.

Note: Service pack and rolling patch updates are available for registered support customers only; the download site is password protected. You will need to log in using your eSupport username and password to download the updates. If you do not have an eSupport account, you can register for one on the BEA Customer Support Web site.

Each release comes with its own installation program that includes update files for WebLogic Server (including WebLogic Workshop) and server samples for installation. However, the upgrade installation program only upgrades components already installed on your system. For example, if you installed the WebLogic Server component without the server samples component, the upgrade installer upgrades the server software and does not install the server samples. You cannot use the upgrade installer to install additional components. To install additional components, you must use either the net or package installers, as described in WebLogic Server Distribution Methods.

You can run the upgrade installation program in the following modes on both UNIX and Windows platforms:

- Graphical mode. See Installing a Service Pack Upgrade Using Graphical Mode for instructions.

- Console mode. See Installing a Service Pack Upgrade Using Console Mode for instructions.

Notes: To run graphical-mode installation, your console must support a Java-based GUI. If the installation program determines that your system cannot support a Java-based GUI, the installation program automatically starts console-mode installation.

The upgrade installer does not support silent-mode installation.

The WebLogic Server installation program requires a Java run-time environment (JRE) to run. A Java 2 Software Development Kit (SDK), which includes a JRE, is bundled in the Windows installation program and in some UNIX installation programs (those with filenames ending in .bin). For other UNIX platforms, the WebLogic Server installation program does not include the Java 2 SDK in the installation program. Filenames for these installation programs end in .jar. To run the .jar installation programs, you must have the appropriate version of the Java 2 SDK installed on your system, and include the bin directory of the Java 2 SDK at the front of the PATH variable. It is important that you use an SDK because the installation process sets the JAVA_HOME and related variables to point to this directory.

Installing a Service Pack Upgrade Using Graphical Mode

Follow these steps to download and install a service pack or rolling patch in graphical mode on UNIX and Windows systems:

1. Download the service pack upgrade installer specific to your platform from the BEA Customer Support Web site at http://support.bea.com.

   Note: You will need to log in using your eSupport username and password to download a service pack or rolling patch. If you do not have an eSupport account, you can register for one on the BEA Customer Support Web site.

2. Shut down any servers that are running. Hot installation of a service pack or rolling patch is not supported.

3. Start the upgrade installer as described in Table 6-2.

   Table 6-2 Starting an Upgrade Installer in Graphical Mode

   To start the upgrade installer on this platform . . . | Perform the following steps . . .
   --- | ---
   Windows | 1. Go to the directory where you downloaded the installation program and double-click filename.exe, where filename.exe is name of the installation file you downloaded from the BEA Customer Support Web site, for example, server XXX_upgrade_win32.exe. The installation program begins to install the upgrade. 2. Proceed to step 4 following this table.
   UNIX | For installers with filenames ending in .bin 1. Go to the directory where you downloaded the installation program and invoke the installation procedure by entering the following commands: chmod a+x filename.bin ./filename.bin where filename.bin is the name of the upgrade installation program you downloaded from the BEA Customer Support Web site, for example server XXX_upgrade_solaris.bin. The installation program begins to install the upgrade. 2. Proceed to step 4 following this table.
   For installers with filenames ending in .jar 1. Include the bin directory of an appropriate SDK at the beginning of the PATH variable on the target system. For example: PATH=JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH export PATH where JAVA_HOME is the full path to the Java 2 SDK directory. 2. Go to the directory where you downloaded the installation file and launch the installation program by entering the following command: java -jar filename.jar where filename.jar is the name of the upgrade installation program you downloaded from the BEA Customer Support Web site, for example pj_server XXX_upgrade_generic.jar. The installation program begins to install the upgrade. 3. Proceed to step 4 following this table.

4. Review the text in the Welcome window and click Next.

   The Choose BEA Home Directory window is displayed.

   Note: You may cancel the installation at any time by clicking Exit.

5. Select the BEA Home directory containing the release of WebLogic Server you want to upgrade and click Next.

   The Confirm Product Directory window is displayed, which includes the path to the BEA home directory and to the directory in which the WebLogic Server software will be updated.

6. Click Next.

   A progress window is displayed during the upgrade installation. When the installation is finished, the Installation Complete window is displayed.

7. Click Done on the Installation Complete window to exit the installation program.

Installing a Service Pack Upgrade Using Console Mode

Follow these steps to download and install a service pack or rolling patch in console mode (from the command line) on UNIX and Windows systems:

Note: The sample console text and directory pathnames in this section use UNIX conventions (forward slashes) in pathnames, for example, /home1/bea/weblogic700. When entering pathnames on a Windows system, use the Windows convention (backward slashes) for pathnames, for example c:\bea\weblogic700.

1. Download the service pack upgrade installer specific to your platform from the BEA Customer Support Web site at http://support.bea.com.

   Note: You must log in using your eSupport username and password to download a service pack or rolling patch. If you do not have an eSupport account, you can register for one on the BEA Customer Support Web site.

2. Shut down any servers that are running. Hot installation of a service pack or rolling patch is not supported.

3. Start the upgrade installer as described in Table 6-3.

   Table 6-3 Starting an Upgrade Installer in Console Mode

   To start the upgrade installer on this platform . . . | Perform the following steps . . .
   --- | ---
   Windows | 1. Open an MS-DOS command prompt window. 2. Go to the directory where you downloaded the installation program and invoke the installation procedure by entering the following command: filename.exe -mode=console where filename.exe is name of the installation file you downloaded from the BEA Customer Support Web site, for example, server XXX_upgrade_win32.exe. The upgrade installer begins to install the WebLogic Server maintenance release. 3. Proceed to step 4 following this table.
   UNIX | For installers with filenames ending in .bin 1. Go to the directory where you downloaded the installation program and invoke the installation procedure by entering the following commands: chmod a+x filename.bin ./filename.bin -mode=console where filename.bin is the name of the upgrade installation program you downloaded from the BEA Customer Support Web site, for example server XXX_upgrade_solaris.bin. The installation program begins to install the upgrade. 2. Proceed to step 4 following this table.
   For installers with filenames ending in .jar 1. Include the bin directory of an appropriate SDK at the beginning of the PATH variable on the target system. For example: PATH=JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH export PATH where JAVA_HOME is the full path to the Java 2 SDK directory. 2. Go to the directory where you downloaded the installation file and launch the installation program by entering the following command: java -jar filename.jar -mode=console where filename.jar is the name of the upgrade installation program you downloaded from the BEA Customer Support Web site, for example pj_server XXX_upgrade_generic.jar. The installation program begins to install the upgrade. 3. Proceed to step 4 following this table.

Note: To create a verbose log file during installation, include the -log=/full_path_to_log_file option in the command line.

For example:

server XXX_upgrade_solaris.bin -mode=console -log=/home/bea/logs/server_install.log

The path must be to a file. All folders in the path must exist before you execute the command; otherwise, the installation program will not create the log file.

1. At the Welcome prompt, type next or press Enter to continue with the installation process.

   The Choose BEA Home directory prompt is displayed.

2. Select the BEA Home directory associated with the installation of WebLogic Server that you want to update. If you have only one installation of WebLogic Server installed on the current machine, only one BEA Home directory is listed. For details about the BEA Home directory, see BEA Home Directory.

   The installation program displays the following prompt:

   >     Choose BEA Home Directory:

   >     ->1| /nfs/home/user1/bea1
   >       2| /nfs/home/user1/bea2

   >     Enter index number to select OR [Exit][Previous][Next]>

   Press Enter to use the selected BEA Home directory or type the number of the BEA Home directory that you want to select.

   Whether you accept the selected BEA Home directory or select a different BEA Home directory, you are prompted to confirm your selection, as shown in the following example:

   >     Choose BEA Home Directory:

   >        ->1¦ Yes, Use this BEA home directory [/nfs/home/user1/bea1]
   >          2¦ No, return to BEA home directory selection

   >     Enter index number to select OR [Exit][Previous][Next]>

   Type 1 or press Enter to accept your selection. Otherwise, type 2 to return to the Choose BEA Home Directory panel where you can modify your entry.

   The Confirm Product Directory panel is displayed.

3. The Confirm Product Directory panel indicates the folder in which the WebLogic Server software will be updated. For example:

   >     Confirm Product Directory:

   >         Product Installation Directory: [/nfs/home/user1/bea1/weblogic700]

   >     Files in /nfs/home/user1/bea1/weblogic700 will now be upgraded to the 7.0.2.0 maintenance level.

   >     Enter [Exit][Previous][Next]>

   Press Enter or type next to continue.

4. After you confirm the product directory, the installation program makes a backup copy of specific files from the previous installation and then installs new versions of the files.

   When the installation is complete, the following prompt is displayed:

   >     Install Complete

   >     Congratulations! WebLogic Platform 7.0.2.0
   >     has been successfully installed to
   >     /nfs/home/user1/bea1/weblogic700.

   >     Press any key to continue OR [Exit]>

5. Press any key to exit the installation program.

Upgrading Web Server Plug-Ins

If you are using a Web server with your WebLogic Platform installation, it is important that you keep your Web server up to date to ensure you have all the latest security patches and support. Updated Web server plug-ins are included when you upgrade your WebLogic Server installation. Although it is not required, you may want to replace the Web server plug-ins installed with your Web server with the updated versions.

For details about installing the Web server plug-ins, see Using Web Server Plug-Ins with WebLogic Server at the following URL

http://e-docs.bea.com/wls/docs70/plugins/index.html

What's Next?

After you upgrade your WebLogic Server 7.0 installation, you may need to upgrade your user domains. If you created user domains using the Configuration Wizard and templates available with WebLogic Platform 7.0 GA software or a service pack earlier than the current service pack, you may need to update the domains for use with the current service pack. Upgrade procedures are provided in "Migrating User-Created Domains" in the BEA WebLogic Platform Release Notes.