Fixes are available
APAR status
Closed as program error.
Error description
When in the Inspector view of the Process Designer, the Variables section on the bottom right shows a NullPointerException instead of the variable values. The issue occurs when httpOnlyProtocol is set to true although you might notice an ORB connection is attempted. You notice it when using the "Services in Debug" tab of the inspector but not for the "Process Instances" tab. The following exception can be seen in the ae.log file: 2014-06-16 13:07:17,630 [main] ERROR com.lombardisoftware.client.ae.forms.bpd.monitoring. views.VariablesView - Unable to evaluate variable. Caused by: java.lang.NullPointerException at com.lombardisoftware.client.ae.server. RepositoryServerNodeImpl.evaluateExpression (RepositoryServerNodeImpl.java:424) at com.lombardisoftware.client.ae.sm.forms.service.monitoring. model.DebugServiceInstanceData.doEvaluateExpression (DebugServiceInstanceData.java:131) When the ORB connection is attempted, you might notice the NullPointerException as well. Note that both JR50590 and JR50899 are required for this functionality to work properly.
Local fix
Set the httpProtocolOnly setting to false and ensure RMI(ORB) connections are successful.
Problem summary
When the httpProtocolOnly flag is set to true on the process center and the PC is behind a firewall that only allow connection to the http port, the variable view in the Process Inspector view of PD will not be able to show the value of selected variables when debugging a service. This is because the call to evaluate the variable does not respect the httpProtocolOnly flag and it is calling the PC through the non http port, which is blocked by the firewall.
Problem conclusion
A fix is available for IBM BPM 8.5.0.1 that changes the evaluate variable code path to respect the httpProtocolOnly flag and call PC through the http port. On Fix Central (http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral), search for JR50590: 1. Select IBM Business Process Manager with your edition from the product selector, the installed version to the fix pack level, and your platform, and then click Continue. 2. Select APAR or SPR, enter JR50590, and click Continue. When you download fix packages, ensure that you also download the readme file for each fix. Review each readme file for additional installation instructions and information about the fix. When you installing this fix, it is strongly recommended that fix for JR50899 is installed.
Temporary fix
Comments
APAR Information
APAR number
JR50590
Reported component name
BPM ADVANCED
Reported component ID
5725C9400
Reported release
850
Status
CLOSED PER
PE
NoPE
HIPER
NoHIPER
Special Attention
NoSpecatt
Submitted date
2014-06-23
Closed date
2014-08-25
Last modified date
2014-10-08
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 ADVANCED
Fixed component ID
5725C9400
Applicable component levels
R850 PSY
UP
[{"Business Unit":{"code":"BU053","label":"Cloud & Data Platform"},"Product":{"code":"SSFTN5","label":"IBM Business Process Manager Advanced"},"Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Version":"8.5","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}}]
Document Information
Modified date:
16 October 2021