IBM UrbanCode Deploy 7.2.3 - Java Distribution Management

As previously mentioned (Java versions compatibility & Security Fixpacks with IBM UrbanCode Deploy – Explained and IBM UrbanCode Deploy: IBM Java 8 EOS and how to migrate ) the time nears when Java 8 will not be supported by future versions of IBM UrbanCode Deploy (now IBM DevOps Deploy) and you will need to upgrade to Java 11 (or newer supported versions). IBM UrbanCode Deploy 7.2.3 and prior versions still support Java 8. 

Regular applications of Java Patches on a multitude of devices in your environments can be complex.

This new feature makes it easier for IBM UrbanCode Deploy administrators to quickly identify which updates or patches need to be applied by using the real time status of the connected agents. Java packages can be uploaded and then applied across different devices and architectures in your environment.

Select an agent for applying a new java package by clicking on the menu to the right of the row

You can view the entire Java maintenance history by selecting Resources -> Agents -> SPECIFIC Agent, and toggling the Maintenance Tab.

To see all the Java versions installed for that agent, open the new Metadata page.

To install new on the agent, select the Install Java Package on the Agents menu.

Next select the new Java package you want to install on the agent device.

As soon as the new Java version is installed, you can set the JAVA_HOME of the agent to the new Java home by selecting the Set Java Home entry at the agents menu.

The agent will restart and your new Java version will be up and running. A very easy way to update your java version for the agents, no need to remote into the device or write complex scripts.

You can choose not to use this new feature by manually setting the Java Home, however this location must be an absolute path accessble to the agent.

Managing the Java distribution on your numerous agents is a large task, so it is important to do it efficiently to optimize your IT resources.

#UrbanCodeDeploy