DAMTP Computing News

1243) 06/12/08 Newer Sun Java for Linux

SUMMARY: An updated Sun Java system has been installed for the Linux/x86 machines. A common use of this is from web browser plugins. You should restart any Linux web browser to ensure that you are using the latest version.

NOTE: this is a security update release of the java runtime system, so please restart all browsers, OpenOffice or any other apps which may be using java.

An updated Sun Java Runtime Environment (jre) and Java Development Kit (jdk), for the Linux/x86 machines has been installed. The new version (1.6.0_11) is currently the latest release. This replaces the previous 1.6.0_10 which will be removed at some point in the future. The new version fixes some security problems with all previous versions and also addresses a number of bugs. Please see:

for more details of the fixes.

Those wanting to use the latest JRE or JDK tools can now locate them under:

/opt/sunjava/
/opt/sunjava/jre1.6.0_11
/opt/sunjava/jdk1.6.0_11

or to save remembering the version string, there are symlinks in place so that:

/opt/sunjava/jre
/opt/sunjava/jdk

should now always be the current versions. e.g. to run the appletviewer you could use path:

/opt/sunjava/jdk/bin/appletviewer

Various older java versions are still present for now but will be removed at some point in the future.

Anyone who believes that they need any of the older versions should contact help@damtp.cam.ac.uk so we can find out why/if the latest version is not suitable.

The Firefox (and Seamonkey) java plugins and OpenOffice setups all point at the /opt/sunjava/jre name so should see the new version next time they are started. You should restart applications to make sure that they pick up the new version.

Browsers can be checked by looking the special URL about:plugins which lists what plugins are being used - now is should include the following for java:

     Java(TM) Plug-in 1.6.0_11-b03

or point the browser at:

Those who use other or locally installed browsers using java plugins should ensure that the plugin links are pointed at the new version. If you don't know what that means then feel free to ask help@damtp.cam.ac.uk for advice.

If any of these changes cause problems please let us know as soon as possible. Complaints etc to jp107@damtp.cam.ac.uk