First Steps

Sometimes the most obvious solutions are overlooked. As you begin your investigation, try the following steps first.

Verify System Requirements and Configuration

Ensure that your system meets the requirements listed in Hardware and Software Requirements in Oracle GlassFish Server 3.0.1 Release Notes. Problems are likely to arise if you attempt to install on a platform that is not supported or on a system that in some other way does not meet release requirements. Also see Known Issues in Oracle GlassFish Server 3.0.1 Release Notes for known issues related to installation.

GlassFish Server 3.0.1 requires JDK^TM release 6. The minimum (and certified) version of the JDK that is required for GlassFish Server depends on the operating system:

• For supported operating systems except Mac OS, the minimum required version is 1.6.0_17.

• For the Mac OS X operating system, the minimum required version is 1.6.0_15.

If necessary, download and install the required JDK software.

On Solaris, Linux, and Windows systems, JDK software is available from the Java SE downloads page.

For Mac OS X systems, GlassFish Server uses the JDK that is part of the Macintosh operating system. If necessary, obtain the required JDK version from the Mac OS X Updates site.

Also ensure that the JAVA_HOME environment variable on your system points to the JDK installation directory and not the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) software.

Set JAVA_HOME and $JAVA_HOME/bin in the PATH to point to the supported JDK version.

Review Known Issues

Your problem might be related to a known issue for the release. Refer to the Oracle GlassFish Server 3.0.1 Release Notes for the latest information regarding known issues and possible workarounds. Also search the GlassFish Issue Tracker at https://glassfish.dev.java.net/servlets/ProjectIssues.

Search the Product Documentation

GlassFish Server includes complete product documentation. Search the documentation to see if your problem is addressed. Documentation is available at http://docs.sun.com/coll/1343.9. See GlassFish Server Documentation Set for the books in the documentation set and a description of their contents. Also see the Administration Console online help for detailed information about performing administrative tasks using the graphical interface.

The following books will be especially helpful for troubleshooting:

• Oracle GlassFish Server 3.0.1 Release Notes, which provides the latest information regarding known issues and possible workarounds.

• Oracle GlassFish Server 3.0.1 Error Message Reference, which lists error messages you might encounter when using GlassFish Server.

Use the product documentation to learn more about GlassFish Server 3.0.1. The more you know about the product the easier it might be to figure out why something isn't working.

Search the GlassFish Mailing Lists and Forums

Lists and forums are extremely helpful resources, and are accessed as follows:

• GlassFish mailing lists (start with users@glassfish.dev.java.net and search the archives): https://glassfish.dev.java.net/servlets/ProjectMailingListList

• GlassFish user forum: http://forums.java.net/jive/forum.jspa?forumID=56

• Other GlassFish forums: http://forums.java.net/jive/category.jspa?categoryID=58

Search the SunSolve Knowledgebase

SunSolve^SM is Sun's informational and patch database service with a browseable directory of all publicly available Sun Microsystems support documents. SunSolve is available at http://sunsolve.sun.com. Additional resources are also available for customers with support contracts.