Updating the WebSphere Application Server instance in IBM Rational Application Developer version 6.0 fails
 Technote (FAQ)
 
Problem
Installation of maintenance packs to the WebSphere® Application Server instance, base version 5.0 or base version 6.0, in IBM® Rational® Application Developer version 6.0 fails with errors that state that files are in use and cannot be updated.
 
Cause
Installation of fix packs, interim fixes, or refresh packs to WebSphere Application Server require that the Application Server and its Java™ processes be stopped prior to upgrade. When running an installation upgrade to the WebSphere Application Server instance in Rational Application Developer version 6.0, the upgrade can fail if the Rational Agent Controller is running. The Rational Agent Controller uses the PD.jar file within WebSphere Application Server version 6.0 instances and uses several library files (such as DLL files) within WebSphere Application Server version 5.0 instances.


Problem symptoms for WebSphere Application Server version 5.0
When the Rational Agent Controller is running while attempting to update WebSphere Application Server version 6.0, the UpdateInstaller's "updatelog.txt" file will show errors. The "updatelog.txt" file is written to the maintenance pack's subdirectory in the application server's "logs/update" directory. The errors will be similar to the following message (boldface text indicates key phrases):

Failed to delete: file:/<installation_root>/base_v6/java/jre/
lib/ext/
PD.jar


Problem symptoms for WebSphere Application Server version 6.0
A similar problem will occur when attempting to update WebSphere Application Server version 5.0 products. The most recently written files in the application server's "logs/update" directory will contain errors similar to the following message (boldface text indicates key phrases):

java.io.FileNotFoundException: <installation_root>\java\jre\bin\dbgmalloc.dll (The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process)

Note that this error message will be reported for several files. Also note that this error message can occur because the application server or another Java-based program is using the application server's java files, so if the Agent Controller is shut down and this error still occurs, ensure that all java processes are shut down.
 
Solution
Solution applicable to all versions of WebSphere
Make sure to stop WebSphere Application Server, Java processes, and the Rational Agent Controller in Rational Application Developer version 6.0 prior to beginning the installation of fix packs, interim fixes, or refresh packs. If the Agent Controller is set to start automatically in the Windows Services panel, you will need to change the setting to manual start and restart the server.

Please do not delete the UpdateInstaller until the errant maintenance pack is completely removed, or completely installed without error. Specifically, it is necessary to preserve the "java_tmp" or "java" subdirectory under the UpdateInstaller while resolving this problem. If "java_tmp" or "java" is removed from the UpdateInstaller directory, the UpdateInstaller may attempt to use the Java SDK in the application server, which is temporarily "broken" by this issue, thereby preventing the UpdateInstaller from working.


Additional notes for WebSphere Application Server version 5.0
It is a good practice to uninstall the errant maintenance pack using the UpdateInstaller prior to re-installing it.


Additional notes for WebSphere Application Server version 6.0
If an administrator encounters a maintenance installation problem because the Agent Controller process is running, the UpdateInstaller may subsequently report errors when attempting to remove the failed maintenance pack. To resolve the maintenance pack uninstallation problem, please follow the solution outlined in technote 1214631.
 
 
Cross Reference information
Segment Product Component Platform Version Edition
Software Development Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software Multi-Platform v6.0 All Editions
Application Servers Runtimes for Java Technology Java SDK
 
 


Document Information


Product categories: Software > Application Servers > Distributed Application & Web Servers > WebSphere Application Server > Install
Operating system(s): Windows
Software version: 6.0
Software edition:
Reference #: 1199679
IBM Group: Software Group
Modified date: Apr 21, 2006