WebSphere Message Broker, Version 8.0.0.7 Operating Systems: AIX, HP-Itanium, Linux, Solaris, Windows, z/OS

See information about the latest product version

New function added in Version 8.0 fix packs

Some fix packs and other maintenance packs deliver new functions.

The What's new in Version 8.0? topic introduces you to the main new function in WebSphere Message Broker Version 8.0. This topic introduces you to the additional function that is added in fix packs.

For detailed information about the contents of fix packs and other maintenance packs, see the WebSphere Message Broker support web page. Click Downloads, then Recommended fixes, and select your product to view available fixes. The description of each fix pack includes a link to Problems fixed (a list of APARs that are included).

Start of change

Fix pack V8.0.0.7 enhancements

Platforms and environments

Additional features that describe changes to database support.

DataDirect V7.1 driver support
On Windows, Linux, and UNIX systems, WebSphere Message Broker Version 8.0.0.6 provides the DataDirect V7.1 ODBC drivers alongside the default V6 ODBC drivers. The DataDirect V7.1 ODBC drivers replace the V7.0 drivers.

WebSphere Message Broker can be switched from using the DataDirect V6.0 drivers to using the DataDirect V7.1 ODBC drivers if required. For more information, see Switching WebSphere Message Broker to use the DataDirect V7 drivers.

If you had previously switched to using the DataDirect V7.0 ODBC drivers, no configuration changes are required to use the V7.1 drivers because they have the same library names and are installed into the same directory.

JDBCProviders configurable service

A unique security key securityIdentity performs a second broker registry lookup to find an entry under the broker DSN entries, which store the encrypted password for the user identity for connection logon authentication on their associated host system; for example, jdbc::mysecurityIdentity. For more information on securityIdentity and alternative authentication methods, see JDBCProviders configurable service.

End of change

Fix pack V8.0.0.6 enhancements

Simplicity and productivity

This fix pack simplifies the development, deployment, management, and migration of WebSphere Message Broker solutions.

mqsireportdbparms command

You can return a list of parameters that are set on a broker. In addition, you can use the mqsireportdbparms to check if security credentials are set, or identify if you are using the correct password for a broker. For more information about using the mqsireportdbparms command, see mqsireportdbparms command.

Changes to the securityIdentity property of the JDBCProviders Configurable Service

You can now obtain a JDBC Connection using the MbNode::getJDBCType4API() API without using connection login authentication. You can 'turn off' the securityIdentity property to stop the look up of a user and password, when you want to use credentials from an SSL certificate only when authentication a new JDBC Connection.

For more information about the changes, see Configurable services properties.

Message flows

Override the Reply properties on the SCARequestnode

When an SCARequest node is used with a WebSphere MQ, it is possible to override the Request Queue Manager and Request Queue using the LocalEnvironment.

For more information about overriding the Reply properties, see SCARequest node.

Platforms and environments

Additional features that describe changes to database support.

DataDirect V7.1 driver support
On Windows, Linux, and UNIX systems, WebSphere Message Broker Version 8.0.0.6 provides the DataDirect V7.1 ODBC drivers alongside the default V6 ODBC drivers. The DataDirect V7.1 ODBC drivers replace the V7.0 drivers.

WebSphere Message Broker can be switched from using the DataDirect V6.0 drivers to using the DataDirect V7.1 ODBC drivers if required. For more information, see Switching WebSphere Message Broker to use the DataDirect V7 drivers.

If you had previously switched to using the DataDirect V7.0 ODBC drivers, no configuration changes are required to use the V7.1 drivers because they have the same library names and are installed into the same directory.

Increased support for JDBC drivers

Any JDBC provider is supported, therefore if a JDBC provider is not listed in the supported database table, WebSphere Message Broker provides limited support. This support has the following restrictions: The driver must be a JDBC Type 4 (Pure Java™) driver. Global transaction coordination (XA) is not supported. Discoverability in the Graphical Data Mapper is not supported, and the automatic determination of field types in Graphical Data Maps is supported only if the driver correctly and fully implements java.sql.PreparedStatement.getParameterMetaData(). For more information about the field types, see Data type considerations for mapping database content.

For more information about supported JDBC drivers, see Supported databases or the WebSphere Message Broker system requirements: http://www.ibm.com/software/integration/wbimessagebroker/requirements/.

Graphical Data Mapping

Creating a message map programmatically

You can use the Graphical Data Map Specification Language to create a message map programmatically.

For more information, see Creating a graphical data map programmatically.

Fix pack V8.0.0.5 enhancements

Message flows

Configuring the XPath cache

An execution group keeps a cache of compiled XPath expressions to help reduce the processor usage of parsing and re-creating XPath expressions that are used repeatedly during message flow execution. This cache is shared by all message flows within an execution group. However, this default size might become a performance bottleneck for customers who use many XPath expressions with a single flow invocation completely invalidating the cache. Altering the size of the XPath cache might improve message flow performance. For examples and information about altering the default cache size, see Configuring the XPath cache.

Web services enhancements

Web services enhancements improve security and reliability.

Authorization by using SSL Client Certificates

Client authentication data for SSL X509 certificates can be propagated into the local environment and used for authorization: When you implement a message flow to use SSL authentication, you can check authenticated client certificates for authorization. When a security profile is configured for authorization and set on the input node, the data is passed to a security manager. A broker security manager receives relevant parts of the certificate for authorization and sends it to the properties parser. During authentication, data from the identity or security token that is provided replaces the values in the properties tree identity fields. This data can be from a Basic-Auth transport header or a WS-Security token, for example. Parameter data in the certificate replaces fields in the properties tree. For more information and examples, see Authorizing SSL Client Certificates.

Fix pack V8.0.0.4 enhancements

Graphical mapping

Preparing graphical data maps on deployment

From WebSphere Message Broker Version 8.0.0.4, setting the MQSI_PREPARE_MAPS_ON_DEPLOY environment variable to TRUE alters the behavior of graphical data maps that are used in the flow Mapping node. When this variable is set to TRUE, the graphical data maps are prepared for execution on deployment instead of when the first message is flowed through the node.

For a full list of the changes that affect graphical data maps, see Preparing graphical data maps on deployment.

High performance and scalability

Setting up the JNDI interface for the proxy servlet

The proxy servlet initialization parameters must be configured for the broker environment that the proxy servlet is connecting to each time the proxy servlet is deployed to the servlet container. It is now possible to configure the web.xml parameters only once through the JNDI in WebSphere Application Server, regardless of how many future deployments there might be of the proxy servlet. Because the JNDI configuration parameters take precedence over the initialization parameters in the web.xml file, using this method means that you need to set up at the application server side only once for any future deployments of the proxy servlet.

These setup tasks must all be completed in the WebSphere Application Server administrative console. For a full list of the steps, see Setting up the JNDI interface for the proxy servlet.

Platforms and environments

Additional features that describe changes to database support.

SQL Server ODBC database drivers for Solaris on x86-64 systems
Microsoft SQL Server is now supported for Solaris on x86-64 systems.

For instructions on remote access to an SQL Server, see Connecting to a database from Linux and UNIX systems by using the WebSphere Message Broker ODBC Database Extender, and for sample ODBC configuration files for Solaris on x86-64, see Sample WebSphere Message Broker ODBC configuration files.

Fix pack V8.0.0.3 enhancements

Simplicity and productivity

This fix pack simplifies the development, deployment, management, and migration of WebSphere Message Broker solutions.

New ConnectionIdleTimeoutSec property on the IMSConnect configurable service

You can use the ConnectionIdleTimeoutSec property on the IMSConnect configurable service to specify the idle connection timeout for cached IMS™ Connections. If a cached IMS connection is inactive for more than the specified ConnectionIdleTimeoutSec, then this connection becomes ineligible for reuse, and is removed from the cache, and closed cleanly.

For more information, see Configurable services properties.

Configure the properties of an execution group while it is in offline mode

You can use the -f parameter for jvmSystemProperty on the mqsireportproperties and mqsichangeproperties commands to view and change properties on an execution group while it is in offline mode.

For more information, see mqsichangeproperties command.

Universal connectivity for SOA

Coordinated transactions for CICS® requests
CICSRequest nodes support one-phase commit coordinated transactions, which means that multiple requests to a CICS server can be handled as part of the same transaction and will be committed or rolled back together depending on the outcome of the message flow. For more information, see CICSRequest node and Message flow transactions.

Generate business objects according to SAP naming conventions
You can generate business object names to match the SAP XI standard by selecting Generate business objects according to SAP naming conventions. For more information, see SAP connection properties for the Adapter Connection wizard.

Dynamic operation management

Execution group user IDs on z/OS
On z/OS, you can specify an alternative user ID to run an execution group so that it accesses resources according to the permissions assigned to it, rather than the permissions assigned to the main broker user ID. For more information, see Execution group user IDs on z/OS.

Troubleshooting and support

This fix pack simplifies the collection of broker-related diagnostic information for submission to IBM.

Verify the ODBC environment on Linux and UNIX systems
The mqsicvp command is run automatically when you start a broker by using the mqsistart command. You can also run the mqsicvp command manually to verify that the ODBC environment is configured correctly on Linux and UNIX systems. The command also validates the connection to all data sources that are listed in the odbc.ini file that have been associated with the broker by using the mqsisetdbparms command.

Fix pack V8.0.0.2 enhancements

Simplicity and productivity

This fix pack simplifies the development, deployment, management, and migration of WebSphere Message Broker solutions.

Creating multi-instance brokers with no domain controller restrictions
You can now create a multi-instance broker without installing Windows on a domain controller. You can also create a multi-instance broker and a multi-instance message queue at the same time.

For more information, see Creating a multi-instance broker and Creating a multi-instance broker and a multi-instance queue manager.

Analyze and filter information in XML files
The Data Analysis perspective analyzes and filters information in XML files. You can use this analysis to create Data Analysis tools to transform your data.

For more information, see Data Analysis.

Handling large messages in Java

When you design a message flow that handles large messages that are made up of repeating structures, you can code Java methods that help to reduce the storage load on the broker.

For more information, see Working with large input messages to propagate multiple output messages.

High performance and scalability

This fix pack facilitates the use of a wide range of hardware, software, and virtualized environments.

External WebSphere eXtreme Scale grids
An embedded global cache was provided in the previous version as a repository for data that you want to reuse. In addition to the grid that is available (as the embedded global cache) in WebSphere Message Broker, you can now integrate with WebSphere eXtreme Scale grids that are running elsewhere. You can work with multiple external grids, and the embedded grid, at the same time. You can also enable SSL for connections to external WebSphere eXtreme Scale grids.

Enable the new capability by using the -f parameter on the mqsichangebroker command, as described in mqsichangebroker command. You must stop the cache before you can enable the capability for the brokers.

For more information, see WebSphere eXtreme Scale grids.

Using a domain name to identify grids
WebSphere eXtreme Scale clients use a domain name to identify and distinguish between embedded grids. Only WebSphere eXtreme Scale servers with the same domain name can participate in the same grid. If you do not specify a domain name, the broker creates a name that is based on the server names of the catalog servers.

By default, each server starts with a domain name that is derived by the broker. In previous versions of WebSphere Message Broker, the domain name for all servers in all embedded caches was an empty string. Servers in different domains cannot collaborate in the same grid. Therefore, for a cache that spans more than one broker, you must enable the new capability for these brokers at the same time.

Brokers that are running fix pack V8.0.0.2 without new functionality enabled can still collaborate in the same grid as brokers that are running V8.0.0.1. In this scenario, the servers that are running V8.0.0.2 continue to use an empty string as the domain name; servers report a BIP7140 warning message to the system log with this information.

Enable the new capability by using the -f parameter on the mqsichangebroker command, as described in mqsichangebroker command.

For more information, see Configuring the embedded global cache by using commands.

Removing data from the global cache

You can specify how long data exists in the global cache by setting a time to live value. You specify this value when you get an MbGlobalMap object. The value applies to all cache entries that are created by using that MbGlobalMap object in that instance of the JavaCompute node. After the specified time, the affected data is removed from the global cache automatically.

Enable the new capability by using the -f parameter on the mqsichangebroker command, as described in mqsichangebroker command. You must stop the cache before you can enable the capability for the brokers.

For more information, see Embedded global cache.

Scale mode

Scale mode provides support for unlimited execution groups and a defined subset of nodes. In Scale mode, you can create multiple brokers and deploy message flows containing the supported nodes to your execution groups. WebSphere Enterprise Service Bus customers can obtain a transfer license, which enables them to migrate to WebSphere Message Broker and to create and run brokers in Scale mode.

For more information, see Operation modes.

New timeoutThreads property

An optional property that assigns additional processing threads to enable processing of timed out aggregation messages in the AggregateReply node. For more information, see Processing timed out aggregation messages.

Web services enhancements

Web services enhancements improve security and reliability.

Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs)
Non-English host names can be used in web browsers to accommodate non-native English speakers as a significant group of Internet users.

SSL client authentication selection key
SSL-based nodes can specify a key alias for use by the JSSE layer for a key in the keystore to be used for a given connection.

Troubleshooting and support

This fix pack simplifies the collection of broker-related diagnostic information for submission to IBM.

Display the full content of BIP messages

You can view the full content of a runtime BIP message, including the user response and explanation sections, by using the mqsiexplain command.

For more information, see mqsiexplain command.

Additional problem collector for IBM Support Assistant Data Collector
Use the broker problem collector, which is installed with IBM Support Assistant Data Collector, to gather more extensive broker diagnostic documents.

For more information, see Selecting a problem collector for IBM Support Assistant Data Collector.

Platforms and environments

Additional features that describe changes to database support.

DataDirect V7.0 driver support
On Windows, Linux and UNIX systems, WebSphere Message Broker Version 8.0.0.2 ships with the DataDirect V7.0 ODBC drivers alongside the default V6.0 ODBC drivers. If required, WebSphere Message Broker can be switched to using the DataDirect V7.0 ODBC drivers.

For more information, see Switching WebSphere Message Broker to use the DataDirect V7 drivers.

ODBC Activity log
ODBC Activity log provides a high-level overview of how WebSphere Message Broker interacts with databases so that you can better understand these interactions.

For more information, see Activity logs.

Fix pack V8.0.0.1 enhancements

Simplicity and productivity

This fix pack simplifies the development, deployment, management, and migration of WebSphere Message Broker solutions.

Execution group-specific command environments for Windows, Linux and UNIX systems

You can run your own additional environment settings for a broker, by extending or changing the command environment that is used when running a specific WebSphere Message Broker execution group.

For more information, see Execution group-specific command environment: Linux and UNIX systems and Execution group-specific command environment: Windows systems.

Web administration

You can use the WebSphere Message Broker web user interface to administer broker resources. The web user interface enables web users to access broker resources through an HTTP client, and provides broker administrators with an alternative to the WebSphere Message Broker Explorer for administering broker resources. The web user interface listener is enabled by default for new brokers.

For more information, see Administering brokers using the web user interface.

RESTful API support

WebSphere Message Broker supports the REST management API for broker administration.

For more information, see Representational State Transfer (REST) API.

Converting projects to applications and libraries
If you imported resources from a previous version of WebSphere Message Broker, you can convert all or some of your projects automatically to applications and libraries. A refactoring wizard applies rules to decide how to convert your resources. The wizard identifies errors that would prevent successful conversion, and provides fixes for those errors, where possible.

For more information, see Converting a project to an application or library.

Service creation

Web services are now a first-class artifact in WebSphere Message Broker. You can create web services in the new Services editor, and implement the operations as message flows.

For more information, see Developing a service.

Export mapping information

You can now export mapping information from Compute nodes, for use in impact analysis and data lineage operations in products such as IBM InfoSphere® Metadata Workbench. See Exporting mapping information from Compute nodes.

New jdbcProviderXASupport property

An optional property that controls whether the broker connects to a database server by using XA Protocol. For more information, see Setting up a JDBC provider for type 4 connections.

Universal connectivity for SOA

This fix pack improves the capability of WebSphere Message Broker when you connect to a range of different systems.

Improved integration with WebSphere Application Server

You can view your broker resources, including web services, by using WebSphere Message Broker administration for WebSphere Application Server. See Administering brokers from WebSphere Application Server.

DFDL improvements

You can now import C header files; see Creating a DFDL schema file by using the New Message Model wizard. Field length prefixes are supported. A new industry sample is provided, consisting of a DFDL schema for ISO8583, and a message flow for transforming ISO8583 messages to XML, and vice versa.

Graphical Data Mapping Enhancements

You can now modify database content from your Graphical Data Maps; see Modifying data in a database by using mapping.

You can also convert a message map from a previous version of WebSphere Message Broker to a graphical data map; see Converting a message map from a .msgmap file to a .map file.

SOAP nodes can use the broker-wide HTTP listener

You can configure your execution groups so that the SOAP nodes use the broker-wide HTTP listener to process HTTP messages, rather than the execution group listener. Using the broker-wide listener can simplify the administration of your broker configuration. For more information, see HTTP listeners.

HTTP asynchronous request-response

Use new HTTP asynchronous nodes to call an HTTP web service and receive an asynchronous response without blocked waiting. For more information, see Using HTTP asynchronous request-response.

You can also use HTTP asynchronous response-request behavior instead of WS-Addressing with the SOAPAsyncRequest node to make HTTP requests and receive an asynchronous response. For more information, see Choosing asynchronous behavior for the SOAPAsyncRequest node.

Enhanced support for external web servers such as IBM HTTP Server

You can generate port and URL data from your brokers to use for connecting to a web server such as IBM HTTP Server. You can also generate configuration files for WebSphere Application Server plug-ins or Apache mod_proxy modules to use for connecting to web servers. For more information, see Using external web servers with WebSphere Message Broker.

Java Architecture for XML Binding (JAXB) support in JavaCompute nodes

You can use Java Architecture for XML Binding (JAXB) with a JavaCompute node to process your messages by accessing, creating, and manipulating JAXB Java object classes that you generate from your message model schema files. For more information, see Using JAXB with a JavaCompute node.

Java shared classloader
Two new shared classloading options are introduced:
  • Execution group classloading allows only a single defined execution group to access and load any JAR files that are placed in the execution group shared-classes directory.
  • Broker-level classloading allows only a single defined broker to access and load any JAR files that are placed in brokers level shared-classes directory.

A new classloading precedence order is also defined.

For more information, see Java shared classloader.

Improvements to Compute nodes

You can now specify a Java classloader in your ESQL to use for loading your Java methods. For more information, see Configuring classloaders for ESQL routines.

Mobile patterns that use IBM Worklight®

You can use the Worklight patterns to integrate your mobile applications with enterprise applications. For more information, see Built-in patterns.

Dynamic operation management

This fix pack facilitates the design of solutions for flexible change with appropriate control.

.NET application domains

You can now create a .NET application domain to package .NET assemblies, and other associated resources, in a BAR file. The .NET application domain is deployed to the run time as a first-class object.

For more information, see .NET application domains overview.

Setting FTP and SFTP servers dynamically
You can override the Remote server and port property on the FileOutput node by setting a value in the local environment. You can also use the local environment to specify commands to run before or after an FTP or SFTP transfer finishes.

For more information, see Local environment overrides for the remote server on the FileOutput node.

Deploy message flows as .msgflow files
You can now add message flows to broker archive (BAR) files as source .msgflow files and deploy these BAR files. The message flows are not compiled into .cmf files so if you want to view the message flow source file for a deployed BAR file, you can get this source file directly from the BAR file. For more information, see Broker archive and Adding files to a broker archive.

mqsipackagebar command
You can now create broker archive (BAR) files on computers that do not have WebSphere Message Broker installed, by using the mqsipackagebar command. For more information, see Creating a broker archive (BAR) file.

Web user interface security

You can control access to broker resources through the web user interface and the RESTful application programming interface (API). As a broker administrator, you can create web user accounts. The web user accounts have security permissions that are based on their role, which is an associated system account. The permissions are checked to determine the users' authorization to complete tasks in the web user interface or the RESTful application programming interface (API).

For more information, see Web and REST security.

Record and replay enhancements

The record and replay capability is enhanced to include support for Oracle databases and role-based security, and enhancements to the web user interface for viewing and replaying data.

For more information, see Recording, viewing, and replaying data.

mqsiwebuseradmin command

You can use the mqsiwebuseradmin command to administer user accounts for the web user interface. You can use this command to create or remove a web user, set or change a web user's password, or assign a web user account to a role.

For more information, see mqsiwebuseradmin command.

Extended monitoring support
Support for monitoring events is extended so that all nodes can produce bit streams, which can be included in monitoring events.

Support for mqsimode command on z/OS
The mqsimode command can be run on z/OS by customizing and submitting BIPMODE; see mqsimode command for more information.

High performance and scalability

This fix pack facilitates the use of a wide range of hardware, software, and virtualized environments.

WebSphere eXtreme Scale global cache
A global cache is a repository for data that you want to reuse. The cache facilitates sharing of data across processes, and eliminates the need for an alternative solution, such as a database. The global cache is embedded in the broker. The cache has a default topology and can be used immediately without any configuration. However, you can turn off the default configuration and set properties explicitly for each execution group.

For more information, see Data caching overview.

WebSphere MQ Version 7.1, or later
This fix pack introduces support for WebSphere MQ Version 7.1, or later, within WebSphere Message Broker.

For the latest details of all supported levels of hardware and software, visit the WebSphere Message Broker Requirements website.

Developer Edition

WebSphere Message Broker Developer Edition replaces the Trial Edition in WebSphere Message Broker Version 8.0.0.1. The Developer Edition is a full function version of the product, which you can use for evaluation, development, and unit test purposes. You can download the Developer Edition at no charge and you are free to use it for as long as you require, within the terms of the license. Unlike the WebSphere Message Broker Version 8.0.0.0 Trial Edition, there is no expiry period for the Version 8.0.0.1 Developer Edition license.

Developer mode has been introduced with the Developer Edition. All brokers that you create in the Developer Edition are created in Developer mode by default.

There is no Trial Edition for WebSphere Message Broker Version 8.0.0.1, but the Version 8.0.0.0 Trial Edition remains available for downloading.

For more information, see Operation modes.

Troubleshooting and support

This fix pack simplifies the collection of diagnostic documents for submission to IBM.

IBM Support Assistant Data Collector
Using IBM Support Assistant Data Collector, which is installed with WebSphere Message Broker, you can collect diagnostic documents and submit a problem report to IBM.

For more information, see IBM Support Assistant Data Collector.

Notices | Trademarks | Downloads | Library | Support | Feedback

Copyright IBM Corporation 1999, 2016Copyright IBM Corporation 1999, 2016.

        
        Last updated:
        
        Last updated: 2016-05-23 14:47:42


Concept topicConcept topic | Version 8.0.0.7 | bb23760_