Chapter 1 Using the Java System Update Service

The Sun Java™ System Update Service (Java SUS) is an application that checks a remote server for updates to the Java System. You can choose which updates to install. You can also specify which server to check for available updates.

The Java SUS uses the GNOME proxy settings. To locate the GNOME proxy settings, click Launch, then choose Preferences->Internet. The Java SUS uses the proxy settings for the HTTP proxy and port.

Launching the Java System Update Service

The Java SUS does not provide automatic update scheduling. You must start the Java SUS application yourself. A timestamp in the center pane of the main window indicates the most recent update check. You can find the Java SUS application files in the following locations:

To Launch the Java System Update Service

Steps

1. Choose Launch->Applications->System Tools->Online Update.

2. If prompted, enter the root password for the system.

   • (Optional) If this is a Linux system, you may also choose Launch->Run Application.

   • Type jsupdate in the window.

   • Press the Enter key or the Run button.

   • If prompted, enter the root password for the system.

Choosing a Server for the Java System Update Service

The Java SUS uses the Sun Download Center by default. You can override this default and specify a server for the Java SUS to use.

Use the default Sun Download Center unless you are instructed to do otherwise by a Sun representative or your system administrator.

To Choose a Server for the Java System Update Service

Steps

1. Choose File->Preferences.

2. Type the server address in the Other field.

3. Press the Enter key or the Close button.

Checking for and Installing System Updates

The Java SUS enables you to install software updates for your system.

The Java SUS installs the files that it downloads in the following locations:

To Check for Updates

Steps

1. Click the Update Now button on the main Java SUS display. The Java SUS displays a Checking for Updates window while the check is in progress.

2. (Optional) To stop the check, click the Cancel button. When the check is complete, the Java SUS displays the Available Updates window.

To Install an Update

The Java SUS displays the list of available updates in the Select Updates to Install pane of the Available Updates window. All updates are selected by default.

Steps

1. Select or deselect an update for installation by clicking the checkbox next to the update name.

   The component packages of a selected update appear below the Update Components List pane on the right side of the Available Updates window. A description of the most recent item that was selected appears in the Selection Description pane below the Update Components List pane.

2. Select or deselect an update component for installation by clicking the checkbox next to the update component name.

3. When you have finished selecting updates and components, click the Install button.

   If you do not want to install any updates at this time, click Close to dismiss the Available Updates window.

4. To see the results of the installation, click the Update Log tab in the center pane of the Java SUS application's main window.

To Change the View of the Available Updates Window

The Available Updates view in the Available Updates window is the default. You can change this view with the Select View drop-down menu at the top left of the Available Updates window.

Steps

1. Choose the Installed Packages view from the Select View drop-down menu.

   The Java SUS displays the packages that are installed on your system. The list of packages is displayed in the left-most pane of the Available Updates window.

2. Click the triangular icons next to the category names in the pane to expand the category listing.

   Select an installed package to display information about that package in the Selection Description pane at the lower right of the window.

3. (Optional) Click the refresh button to reload the list of installed packages.

Exiting the Java System Update Service

You can exit the Java SUS from the main window in the following ways:

• Click Close.

• Choose File->Exit.