VSI-I64VMS-CSWS JAVA-V0805-50A-1-RNOTES.PDF

This document is the Installation Guide and Release Notes for CSWS_JAVA Version 8.5-50A, a full binary release of Apache Tomcat 8.5.50 for OpenVMS (specifically OpenVMS Integrity servers). Apache Tomcat is an open-source Java Servlet Container that implements several Java EE specifications and provides a pure Java HTTP web server environment.

Key Changes and Enhancements in this Release:

• Apache Portable Runtime (APR) Integration: The most significant change is the default inclusion of an APR-based native library, which greatly improves Tomcat's scalability, performance, and integration with native server technologies (like Apache HTTP 2.x).
• Independent Installation: Unlike previous versions, this release installs Tomcat into its own tomcat$root directory hierarchy, no longer assuming it will be used in conjunction with the Apache HTTP web server.
• Simplified OpenVMS Administration: The command procedure for setting directory ownership and runtime user is removed. System administrators must now manually change tomcat$root ownership and specify the web server's runtime user (preferably a less privileged account) at startup.
• Dependency Update: This version of Tomcat requires Java SE 7 or later, specifically JDK 8 for OpenVMS Integrity servers (it will not run with Java 6).
• API Stability: Public interfaces for classes in the javax namespace are fixed for the 8.x series, and org.apache.catalina.* (excluding sub-packages) may add features but will not remove or change existing interface methods.
• Bundled APIs: A comprehensive set of APIs are included, such as Servlet 3.1, JSP 2.3, EL 3.0, and WebSocket 1.1, along with additional JAR files like jstl-1.2.jar.

Installation and Configuration:

• Prerequisites: OpenVMS Integrity servers Version 8.4-1H1 or higher, Java Development Kit (JDK) 8, and an ODS-5 enabled disk.
• Installation Process: Requires manually removing any existing CSWS_JAVA versions, backing up site-specific files, and then using the PRODUCT INSTALL CSWS_JAVA command for the VSI-I64VMS-CSWS_JAVA-V0805-50A-1.PCSI kit.
• Post-Installation Tasks: Involves adding tomcat$startup.com and tomcat$shutdown.com to SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM and SYSHUTDWN.COM respectively. It is strongly recommended to run the web server under a less privileged account (not SYSTEM) and to change the tomcat$root directory tree ownership accordingly.
• Process Quotas: Recommended process quotas are provided, with a note to increase the CHANNELCNT system parameter for large numbers of connections.
• SSL/TLS: With the APR native library, Tomcat uses OpenSSL for SSL/TLS, requiring OpenSSL-generated certificate and key files instead of Java keystores.
• CGI Support: Disabled by default, but can be enabled by modifying web.xml and context.xml files and creating a specific directory structure for CGI scripts.

Common Issues:

• Tomcat may be slow on its first invocation due to Java/JVM initializations.
• Issues with redeploying or initial expansion of .WAR files can occur, often resolved by setting specific logical names or adjusting file protections.