java.lang.NullPointerException when installing V4.0.3 using IBM Tivoli Access Manager
 Technote (FAQ)
 
Problem
When installation of WebSphere® Application Server is invoked using an IBM® Tivoli® product such as Tivoli Access Manager, the following exception could be encountered:

java.lang.NullPointerException:
at Jfile.formCorrectDirectory(Jfile.java:436)
at CPPSOL.getProgramsDirectory(CPPSOL.java:633)
at InstallProperties.put(InstallProperties.java:103)
at Program.install(Program.java:374)
at InstallerGUI.showProgressBarRunWASInstal(InstallerGUI.java:633)
at CopyState.installWebSphere(CopyState.java:516)
at CopyState.decisionLogic(CopyState.java:128)
at CopyState.activate(CopyState.java:96)
at installer.stateMachine.InstallerStateFactory.getNextState(InstallerStateFactory.java:101)
at installer.stateMachine.InstallerStateMachine.start(InstallerStateMachine.java:92)
at WASInstaller.install(WASInstaller.java:129)
at WASInstaller.main(WASInstaller.java:291)
 
Cause
This exception is thrown if the required $HOME environment variable is not set.
 
Solution
The WebSphere Application Server installer is attempting to obtain the value of the $HOME environment variable during the installation. This variable normally stores the directory path of the current login session on a Unix® platform. If the installation is performed using Tivoli, there is no current login session; therefore, the $HOME environment variable is not set.

To resolve this problem, create a $HOME environment variable and set the value before starting the Application Server installation.

To determine the current value of the $HOME environment variable, issue the following command at a prompt:
$ echo $HOME
/home/bob
$
If the $HOME variable has no value, you will see an empty line, or a message similar to:
"HOME: Undefined variable".

The commands required to define the variable and give it a value are dependent upon the interpreter being used. For the Korn shell, use the following:
$ echo $HOME

$ export HOME="/home/bob"
$ echo $HOME
/home/bob
$
 
 


Document Information


Product categories: Software > Application Servers > Distributed Application & Web Servers > WebSphere Application Server > Install
Operating system(s): AIX
Software version: 4.0.3
Software edition:
Reference #: 1105092
IBM Group: Software Group
Modified date: Jul 28, 2004