Managing data, apps and information in your operating environment is all about making the right decisions at the right time to ensure optimal efficiency, security and cost management. When it comes to IBM i Access Client Solutions, or ACS, you’ll need to consider a new Java licensing agreement in 2021. For IBM i it’s all about depending upon Java 8 or higher and determining the right version and level of Java to deploy going forward. The version you choose and how you implement it in order to maintain it at the latest levels of fixes and security updates will make all the difference in your IBM i setup.
In an Oracle JDK Licensing Statement, Oracle spells out the terms of its agreement with customers wishing to download its programs, stipulating that its programs “cannot be used for any data processing or any commercial, production, or internal business purposes other than developing, testing, prototyping, and demonstrating your Application.” The company “has been and is continuing to make” its Java technology available under the open GPL license for OpenJDK. “OpenJDK will work with and is a very good option for your IBM i Access Client Solutions environment,” the statement says.
At the same time, IBM recommends “using the current update of a Long-term Support (LTS) version of Java. The current LTS versions are Java 8 and Java 11.” Those IBM i ACS customers wishing to use the LTS version can download OpenJDK with the IBM OpenJ9 JVM here:
https://adoptopenjdk.net/releases.html?variant=openjdk11&jvmVariant=openj9
One benefit of IBM i Access Client Solutions is that ACS can directly define the Java runtime to be used by the acslaunch program. The advantage is that this allows IBM i ACS to use a Java runtime “that may not be available to the entire client workstation.” There are a number of ways to accomplish this. Among them are the following:
- Place the Java JRE folder next to the acslaunch program that is being used. Add a -vm statement to the acslaunch program call. This can even be used if IBM i ACS install_acs script has been used to create desktop icons; the properties of the desktop icon can be modified so that the Target: syntax is updated to pass this.
Here is a syntax example:
– Access Client Solutions icon Target: C:\Users\user\IBM\ClientSolutions\Start_Programs\Windows _x86- 64\acslaunch_win-64.exe -vm C:\OpenJDK8\jdk87172-bll
– ACS Session Mgr icon Target: C:\Users\user\IBM\ClientSolutions\Start_Programs\Windows _x86- 64\acslaunch_win-64.exe -vm C:\OpenJDK8\jdk87172-bll /plugin=sm
With IBM i Access Client Solutions providing a Java-based, platform-independent interface that’s capable of running on most operating systems that support Java, it’s a vital tool that consolidates frequently used tasks for managing IBM i in one simple, convenient location. A CloudFirst representative can work with you to determine which version and level of Java your business should deploy going forward. Talk to us; we’ll make the process simple, efficient, and ensure that your IBM i Access Client Solutions serves your business well now, and down the road.
