Question:
I am currently running WebSphere Application Server ND 9.0.0.5 with Java SDK Version 8.0.5.16 - com.ibm.java.jdk.v8.0.5016.20180529_1218 - which I previously updated from a local repository downloaded from Fix Central:
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/ibm-sdk-java-technology-edition-version-80-websphere-application-server-v9-and-websphere-liberty-using-installation-manager#80516
If I open the IBM Installation Manager (IM) GUI and select the option to "Update", it allows me to select the currently installed Java 8.0.5.16 and again update it to the 8.0.5.16 version.
Why does Installation Manager allow me to update Java to the same version I already have installed ?
Answer:
I found that if you have the "Search Service Repositories During Installation and Updates" option enabled within Installation Manager, then you can select Java 8.0.5.16 to update even though it is already installed at that same level.
However, these are actually two different releases of Java SDK 8.0.5.16. Although the download provides com.ibm.java.jdk.v8.0.5016.20180529_1218, there is a newer version of Java 8.0.5.16 (com.ibm.java.jdk.v8.0.5016.20180606_1258) which can be pulled down from the service repositories.
This is the reason why you are able to perform an upgrade from Java com.ibm.java.jdk.v8.0.5016.20180529_1218 to com.ibm.java.jdk.v8.0.5016.20180606_1258.
The IM installable Java SDK packages are generated twice for the given Java SDK versions. The first one (dated 20180529) is packages when the release is GAed. In this case, this first package will contain previous released HP Java packages. Once the new HP Java packages are released a second IM installable Java SDK package (dated 20180606) is released which includes the new HP Java packages.
All other SDK's in both packages are the same. The only change is the addition of the newer HP SDK in the com.ibm.java.jdk.v8.0.5016.20180606_1258 package.
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John Jurecek
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