Interesting, WebSphere Application Server 8.5.5.11 and Java 6

I saw this: -

ERROR: Support for using Java SE 6 with WebSphere Application Server ends in April 2018.

Java SE 8 is the recommended Java SDK because it provides the latest features and security updates. You can continue to use Java SE 6, but no service can be provided after the end of support date, which could expose your environment to security risks.

You must specify the default Java SDK version on the 'user.wasjava' property. 

To install the Java 8 SDK, specify '-properties user.wasjava=java8'. 

To install the Java 6 SDK, specify '-properties user.wasjava=java6'. 

whilst trying to install the latest WebSphere Application Server (WAS) version ( 8.5.5 Fixpack 11 aka 8.5.5.11 ) today, via this command: -

/opt/ibm/InstallationManager/eclipse/tools/imcl -input /mnt/hgfs/Software/Repo/ResponseFiles/installWAS855.rsp -acceptLicense

Given that I was using a response file, it was easy enough to fix, by adding an additional data.key to installWAS855.rsp: -

…

<profile id='IBM WebSphere Application Server V8.5' installLocation='/opt/ibm/WebSphere/AppServer'>
<data key='eclipseLocation' value='/opt/ibm/WebSphere/AppServer'/>
<data key='user.import.profile' value='false'/>
<data key='cic.selector.os' value='linux'/>
<data key='cic.selector.arch' value='x86'/>
<data key='cic.selector.ws' value='gtk'/>
<data key='cic.selector.nl' value='en'/>
<data key='user.wasjava' value='java6'/>
</profile>
…

Now I see this: -


Installed com.ibm.websphere.ND.v85_8.5.5011.20161206_1434 to the /opt/ibm/WebSphere/AppServer directory.
WARNING: Your default Java SDK is Java SE 6. After April 2018, service for Java SE 6 can no longer be provided, which could expose your environment to security risks.

To stay current and reduce the risk of security exposures, update to Java SE 8 using one of the following options:
- Install WebSphere Application Server 8.5.5.11 or later with Java SE 8.
- Install the optional IBM WebSphere SDK, Java Technology Edition, Version 8 package to an existing package group that contains WebSphere Application Server Version 8.5.
- Migrate to WebSphere Application Server traditional Version 9.   

Alternatively, to use Java SE 7, install the optional IBM WebSphere SDK, Java Technology Edition, Version 7 or 7.1 package to the package group that contains WebSphere Application Server Version 8.5.

Note that I'm explicitly choosing to use Java6, other Java versions are available :-)

More background from this: -

Java SE 6 end of service in WebSphere Application Server V8.5

<snip>

WebSphere Application Server v8.5 traditional

Starting in version 8.5.5.11, you must install either Java SE 6 or Java SE 8 as the version of Java SE contained in the /java and /java64 directories in WebSphere Application Server and used by default during server and node configuration. For existing installations that are being updated, your current Java level remains the same. For example, if you previously installed version 8.5.5.10 with Java SE 6, and you update to version 8.5.5.11, your Java version remains Java SE 6. For information about how to migrate to Java SE 8, see Migrating to Java Platform, Standard Edition 7 or 8.

You can install Java SE 8 by using the GUI, the command line or by using response files. To install Java SE 8 using the command line or response files, you must specify the Java version by using the user.wasjava property.

• To install Java SE 8, specify -properties user.wasjava=java8.
• To install Java SE 6, specify -properties user.wasjava=java6.

</snip>