JR44413: TCP IDLE-CONNECTION-TIMEOUT PARAMETER NEEDED

Version 8.0 Refresh Pack 1 for the IBM Business Process Manager products
Version 7.5.1 Fix Pack 2 for the IBM Business Process Manager products

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• An issue can occur where BPM has opened a connection with an
  external webservices server.  After BPM completes it's
  communication, it simply returns the connection back to the
  connection pool.  It's possible for the external server to then
  try to close the connection after a certain amount of time
  because it thinks it's idle.  If BPM eventually tries to reuse
  that connection, the external server will immediately send a
  reset (RST) and BPM will throw a SocketException - Connection
  Reset error.
  
  Adding a new configurable "idle-connection-timeout" parameter
  will allow BPM to also close old connections after a certain
  amount of time has elapsed.
  

Local fix

• If possible, the other (non-BPM) server can usually be
  configured to keep connections open until BPM tells it
  otherwise.
  

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:  Applications using Web Services to connect  *
  *                  to an external service.                     *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: A SocketException may be thrown if      *
  *                      the connection resource is reused.      *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  ****************************************************************
  When a BPM has completed it's use for a connection, the
  connection is returned to the connection pool for future use.
  During this time, potentially the external service may try to
  close this connection as it thinks it is idle. When BPM reuses
  this connection resouce the external service will return
  immidiately with a reset signel (RST) and BPM will throw a
  SocketException - Connection Reset error.
  

Problem conclusion

• A new parameter is introduced to allow users to control the
  timing of when a connection should be closed.  Adding a new
  configurable "idle-connection-timeout" parameter will allow
  BPM to close old connections after a certain amount of
  time has elapsed. The code changes will be integrated into the
  next fixpack.
  
  Install/Dependency information is available in the readme.txt
  on FixCentral. When the user goes to the download files page
  in FixCentral, the readme will be available with the fix
  package as a separate download.
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  BPM STANDARD

• Fixed component ID

  5725C9500

Applicable component levels

• R750 PSY

     UP

• R800 PSY

     UP