Edge Side Includes (ESI) cache component is broken in V4.0.6 and V4.0.7
 Flash (Alert)
 
Abstract
ESI cache component for static content is broken in WebSphere® Application Server V4.0.6 and V4.0.7 when Edge Side Include (ESI) caching is enabled in the WebSphere plug-in.
 
Content
The SimpleFileServlet in the Application Server web container processes secured as well as non-secured static pages (such as HTML or GIF files) of web applications. To improve overall performance, the ESI cache in the plug-in can save this content. The Application Server web container sets the Surrogate-Control HTTP header on the response to instruct ESI in the plug-in to cache the response for a static content, if needed.

This defect affects you only if your configuration meets all of these conditions:
  • You are using the V5.0 or V5.1 plug-in with a V4.0 Application Sever.
    For example, WebSphere Portal Server V4 releases are shipped by default with the V5.0 plug-in.
  • The ESI Cache component is enabled in the WebSphere plug-in.
    You can enable the ESI cache in the plug-in. To do this, set ESIEnable to true in the plugin-cfg.xml file.
    For example: <Property Name="ESIEnable" Value="true"/>. If this property tag is not explicitly set in the plugin-cfg.xml, the default value is true.
  • The SimpleFileServlet for the Web application is enabled.
    To enable SimpleFileServlet, set fileServingEnabled attribute to true in the ibm-web-ext.xmi file in the WEB-INF directory of the Web module, then restart the Application Server. Remember that if you enable SimpleFileServlet, WebSphere Application Server starts serving all static contents for this Web application.

This defect affects only web applications with unsecured static pages deployed in WebSphere Application Server. Secured static pages deployed in the WebSphere Application Server are not cached by ESI. Dynamic pages, such as servlets and JSP™s deployed in V4.0 are not affected, because requests for this content are not processed by the SimpleFileServlet.

An interim fix PQ81698 is available for IBM WebSphere Application Server V4.0.6 and V4.0.7.

Click this link to download the APAR fix: http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg24006354

After you apply this fix, ESI components will be able to cache non-secured static contents of the Web application, if ESI cache is enabled in the plug-in.

IBM strongly recommends that you apply this fix to all WebSphere Portal Server 4.x users whose product is based on WebSphere V4.0.6 or V4.0.7 Application Server with WebSphere V5.0 or V5.1 plug-in.

This fix was built only for WebSphere V4.0.6-4.0.7 Application Server. If you run a lower version of WebSphere 4.0.x with WebSphere Portal Server applications and WebSphere Application Server V5.0 or V5.1 plug-in, upgrade your Application Server first through PTF6 or PTF7 and then apply PQ81698. If it is not possible, request through your IBM account representative to build PQ81698 for your Application Server V4.0.x release.

For all users with WebSphere Application Server V5.0 and V5.1 plug-in, IBM strongly recommends the application of the latest WebSphere V5.0 or V5.1 cumulative plug-in fix (or any future PTF or SP that supersedes it) that has all known ESI cache defects fixed.

To download the latest WebSphere Application Server plug-in component-specific cumulative fix, go to:
  • Cumulative plug-in fix for V5.1
    No WebSphere 5.1 Cumulative plug-in fix is available at the time this document was created. The WebSphere Application Server support site will have the information soon.

Notes:

To learn how to manually configure web server plug-ins, go to:

For information on plug-in configuration options, go to:

For manual installation of a WebSphere Application Server plug-in component-specific cumulative fix for V4.0, V5.0 or 5.1, go to:
http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21148402

For additional details for configuring the web server plug-in, go to the WebSphere Application Server Information Center:
http://www.ibm.com/software/webservers/appserv/infocenter.html.
 
Related information
Edge Side Includes
 
 
Cross Reference information
Segment Product Component Platform Version Edition
Organizational Productivity- Portals & Collaboration WebSphere Portal for Multiplatforms
 
 


Document Information


Product categories: Software > Application Servers > Distributed Application & Web Servers > WebSphere Application Server > Servlet Engine/Web Container
Operating system(s): HP-UX
Software version: 4.0.7
Software edition:
Reference #: 1160970
IBM Group: Software Group
Modified date: Feb 18, 2003