Upgrade JAVA Support Stack with JSPM

1.  Introduction

In current document I will demonstrate how to apply patches for JAVA Stack. JSPM connects to the SDM server to deploy support packages and software components. The SDM server performs additional validation of the support packages and software components for deployment.

JSPM is integrated with the SAP NetWeaver Development Infrastructure (NWDI). JSPM detects SAP software components that have been modified and allows you to apply support packages to them.

1A. Download Java Patches

  You can download Java Patches from SAP Service Market Place. Go to http://service.sap.com/swdc and expand SAP  Support Package Stacks and click on SP Stack Download and Side effects report.

On right hand select your SAP Version. In my case I will choose SP Stack SAP NetWeaver 7.0 In next popup window select your current version of SP Stack and Select Target SP Stack.

In next screen select the component for which you want to download stack. In my case I will select Application Server Java. In next selection screen you select operating system and proceed to next.

Once you select the components click on Add To Download Basket. These objects are with .SCA extension. You can download components from download basket by using SAP download manager. For some of the components you will have to confirm from Solution Manager.

It is advisable to upgrade JSPM to its latest version and will be explained in  Section – 2A

1B. Approve Patches in Solution Manager

            The Maintenance Optimizer leads you through the planning, download and implementation of support package stacks, which contain a set of support packages for your systems. You can also install enhancement packages or put them into an upgrade to SAP ERP 6.0 (previously SAP ERP 2005), using the Maintenance Optimizer.

            Patches added to download basket in service market place needs to be approved from solution manager. To approve patches your maintenance optimizer in solution manager needs to be configured. I presume solution manager is configured and will proceed further.

            To approve patches login into solution manager and enter transaction DSWP. Select the solution and create new maintenance transaction.

A pop will be opened in browser. Select the system to which you want to approve patches and click on continue.

Check file would like to confirm and you can download approved patches from SAP Download Manager.

1C. Upload Java Patches

Patches downloaded .SCA needs to be uploaded to /usr/sap/trans/EPS/in. From this inbox JSPM will collect all patches and will update the system.

2.  Apply Java Support Stack

You can update all software components of SAP products that are deployed on the system by applying a support package stack. Support package stacks are defined by SAP collections of support packages for software components that work best together. In addition, you can apply a support package stack, which contains newer versions of SAP software components that have been modified in the NWDI. Using Java Support Pack Manager (JSPM) you can apply java patches.

2A. Starting JSPM

     JSPM is located at /usr/sap/SAP-SID/Instance No/J2ee/JSPM. This folder consists of following files and scripts needed to start JSPM. Executing script go will launch JSPM tool. Enter login credentials for SDM and login into tool.

Following figure shows outlook of JSPM

2B. Updating JSPM & Apply SPS

     When JSPM is started it automatically starts its GUI on the local machine, that is the machine JSPM is running on. If SAP system is on UNIX and a Windows PC is used as a client this requires some kind of X server software to run on the Windows PC to display JSPM GUI.

     The update of JSPM does not require a restart of the J2EE Engine and does not affect the system operation. To update JSPM select JSPM and proceed further. In Same way for applying other components select New Software Components and proceed to further.

JSPM will check if any dependencies

3.  Common Errors

3A. Reset SDM Password

This procedure helps to recover lost SDM Passwords or to just change SDM password. As SDM is default in Integrated Mode, first you have to take it to Standalone Mode and after changing password take it back to Integrated Mode.

1. Access (Telnet, SSH, DT, XWindows) system with <sid>adm user.
2. Open Terminal Window
3. Go to SDM Root folder with : cd /usr/sap/<SID>/JC<no>/SDM/program
4. Take SDM to Standalone Mode: sdm.sh jstartup mode=standalone
5. Change SDM Password: sdm changepassword sdmhome=/usr/sap/<SID>/JC<no>/SDM/program newpassword=<newpassword>
6. Take SDM to Integrated Mode: sdm.sh jstartup mode=integrated