Ubuntu

Query re Sun Java v6 problem with Netilla Thin (SSL VPN remote access)

Asked by Alan Blundell

Netilla Thin is proprietary SSL VPN software, which my employer use to permit remote Windows terminal server access. The client software is java based (details at http://www.think-secure.com/premier_support/downloads/).

I've had it successfully working with Firefox and Sun Java since the Edgy release, no problems with configuration on fresh installs of each new Ubuntu release. It didn't work 'out of the box' with 8.04, but I got it working by uninstalling Java 6 and installing v5 packages. Last week (?), there was an auto update of java packages via Update Manager, which gave me v6 again - I thought this might fix the issue (I'd seen mention on one of the Planets following Hardy's release that there was a known problem with the first java 6 packages), but no change.

I'd like to help by identifying the problem & reporting a bug, but can't see much detail to collect except that the Netilla software loads, opens a small window with a progress bar, and just sits there with v6. With v5, the progress bar actually progresses and the opens the expected remote terminal window.

Any suggestions (apart from 'stick with Java 5')?

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Best A. Denton (aquina) said : 		#1

Hello Alan,

I'm quite sure your update mannager didn't install anything you didn't want to have installed at all ("...there was an auto update of java packages via Update Manager, which gave me v6 again..."). The reason for this is most likely because you installed SOME OTHER packet which had some dependencies in it and thus led to an v1.6.x installation. That's also the reason why you'd rather double check all packets and their dependencies during an update. Nevertheless I have to damit that it's a problem when hundrets of packets need to be installed/upgraded. -- Linux never forces users to do something!

The problem with your VPN software is probably an incompatiility with the JRE v1.6 runtime. Guess the application was designed for JRE 1.5.x I'd suggest you to discuss the matter with your organizations network administrator. It's incredible they never ecpect users to upgrade their runtime. :-(

My suggestion from a developer standpoint of view is indeed to stick with Java 5. If you need JRE 1.6 (Java 6) install it seperately. There are some HOWTO's on the net for GNU/Linux as well as Windows. Easiest way is to goto Synaptic packet manager and enter jre into the search box. It shows you your installed OpenJDK v6 then. There you can install Sun Java 5 (4 packets).

Good Luck! ;-)

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Alan Blundell (alan-blundell) said : 		#2

Hi & thanks very much for the fast reply!

I suppose I clouded the issue by mentioning the update to v6. (Of course, it wasn't an 'auto' update, but I'm pretty certain it was an update identified by Update Manager, which I just agreed to. Suppose I could have installed something which wanted v6, but I can't imagine what (I don't keep records, but have no particular recall of installing anything apart from maybe the odd game since installing 8.04). I meant that the v6 install didn't come at my initiation, as a dependency of something I was installing at the time.) Either way, not much relevant to the bug I thought I was identifying ...

I also failed to mention that on my family use PC (which runs Windows XP), the VPN works fine with Sun Java v6 (update 7) installed, so I was inferring that there was an issue somewhere with the Ubuntu Sun Java 6 Packages which I could help by identifying.

Following your answer, I've just checked the JRE installed on both for comparison - the Windows PC has "J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 6 - Version 1.5.0.60" and the Ubuntu install is 1.5.0-15-0ubuntu1. Both work fine, but that leaves me with no clear evidence either way - As you say, Aquina, our VPN might be incompatible with the 1.6 runtime, I'd just assumed that the runtime versions associated with Java 6 on both platforms would be equivalent versions. (Hadn't expected the Windows install to include java 6 but not JRE 1.6)

So thanks again, I'll keep an eye on this & have another go at bug reporting if / when I have clear evidence. (There's no pressing problem for me, since I only use JRE for the VPN & it's working fine with v1.5.)

Alan

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Alan Blundell (alan-blundell) said : 		#3

Thanks Aquina, that solved my question.