How do I use SVS with multiple versions of Java?

Q:
Gint wrote, "we have a couple of Cisco Java apps that conflict; they require different Java versions. I installed not understanding how exactly to do this. A web page on the Cisco site has Ver X and Ver. Y. Do I need to uninstall Internet Explorer and make 2 versions with separate X and Y plug-ins? Then users need to Trinket to one or the other based on what page they will hit?"

A:
Hi, Gint. Since SVS virtualizes application resources (files and regkeys), different versions for Java Runtime Environment (JRE) can coexist at the same time on the same machine. The JRE for version 1.5.0.06 is posted on the public SVSDownloads page and is a good example of how to do this:

Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.5.0.06

Java software allows you to run applications called "applets" that are written in the Java programming language. These applets allow you to play online games, calculate your mortgage interest, view images in 3D, and more.

Download
Size: 53.4MB
Home Page

Please download this version of the JRE to see how this was done. Then you can capture the other version of JRE that you need in a similar manner.

Here are some steps that might help:

1. Find a new computer that does not have the JRE installed yet. Use this machine for your SVS capture.
2. Install SVS agent and SVS Administrator.
3. Download, but do not install the JRE, to the desktop of the capture machine.
4. Enter the Create New Layer—Single program capture mode and 'capture' the JRE.
5. When done, verify that this works with your application X.
6. Deactivate JRE.
7. Repeat Steps 1-5 with alternate JRE version and application Y.

Now, just activating both Java layers at the same time won't be enough. You need to do something explicit to guarantee that each app sees the correct Java layer.

The problem is similar to the issue discussed here: http://juice.altiris.com/node/548. You need to launch the apps in such a way that they are tracked by SVS as being part of the correct Java layer. There are two ways to do this:

• One is by using the WiseScript tool referenced in that article. Put the launcher script and all of the icons for apps that need Java X in the Java X layer. Put the launcher script and all of the icons for apps that need Java Y in the Java Y layer. Limitation: This only works for apps in the base. (If the shortcut launches an app that's in an Application Layer, SVS will start tracking a new process tree.) So it's great for Web-based apps where what you're doing is calling iexplore.exe with a URL.
• The other is by using the EXEC option of SVSCMD. Using shortcuts that reside anywhere, launch the app with SVSCMD EXEC so that it is tracked by SVS as running from the appropriate Java layer. This works for everything.

A note from Altiris Product Management:For the future, we've mulled over having a configurable search order for each application layer. But I think that would be useful only for the ultra power user who's just managing their own machine; it would be difficult to centrally manage. Let us know what you think.