For years, Java Web Start has been used as deployment vehicle for Java Desktop applications. As of Java 9, however, the feature has been discontinued (from Java9) or completely removed (from Java11).
Oracle has pitched several other deployment scenarios, but many existing projects, products and components have trouble to make that change in time, or at all for that matter. Open Web Launch has been created to fill this gap.
Open Web Launch can work with any Java version of any provider (Oracle, OpenJDK or IBM), with JREs and JDKs. Note that Open Web Launch will not address any Java compatibility issues for the Java applications it serves – this is the responsibility of their manufacturer. The prime goal for Open Web Launch is to run any application as configured in its JNLP file.
Open Web Launch (OWL) is easy to set up, easy to use, and available to anyone who needs it. It's designed to run any application as configured in its JNLP file against a Java version which may no longer officially support Java Web Start. OWL is supported on Windows.
Example of OWL usage
Customization can be done during the installation or post installation running “Configure Open Web Launch”.
If you enabled “Make default on JNLP files” in the setup, double clicking a JNLP file in the explorer will open it, download required resources and start the application as instructed in the JNLP file. Also, Open Web Launch can run Java Web Start applications from an URL pointing at a JNLP file.
When double-clicking a JNLP file OWL executes this command line utility: openweblaunch.exe <jnlp reference>
It also supports the following options:
-uninstall uninstalls a specific Java Web Start application:
openweblaunch.exe -uninstall <jnlp reference>
-javaDir passes a specific Java that should be used for starting a Java application:
openweblaunch.exe -javaDir <java folder> <jnlp reference>
-showConsole shows the Java console when the application is running:
openweblaunch.exe -showConsole <jnlp reference>
-disableVerification skips signature verification in jar files:
openweblaunch.exe -disableVerification <jnl
OWL can now be used with Tivoli Enterprise Portal (TEP) and OMEGAMON to launch the TEP . It is provided with Tivoli Management Services on zOS.