IBM Support

Java applets are blocked in IBM Enterprise Content Management products when launched in web browser with NPAPI disabled

Troubleshooting


Problem

The ability to launch and display Java applets (also known as plug-ins) in a browser depends on the presence of the Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface (NPAPI). Support for this capability is no longer available in most browsers.

Symptom

Browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox do not support any functionality that depends on launching a Java applet.

Cause

Google Chrome does not support NPAPI:
https://www.chromium.org/developers/npapi-deprecation

Mozilla Firefox support for NPAPI ended in 2016:
https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2015/10/08/npapi-plugins-in-firefox/

Microsoft Internet Explorer provides limited NPAPI support through Active X controls. However, Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer.
Microsoft Edge does not support NPAPI.

Environment

Not all IBM Enterprise Content Management products currently support all browsers. Consult product documentation for your product. In most cases software compatibility reports can be found here: http://www-969.ibm.com/software/reports/compatibility/clarity/index.jsp

The following table lists known affected functionality:

Product or Component Functionality Notes
Daeja ViewONE Professional and Standard The Product does not run.
Daeja ViewONE Virtual is not affected.
Content Navigator Features in IBM Content Navigator that are available as Java applets do not run. For example,
  • Sending documents by email
  • File tracking
  • Opening documents in applet-based viewers, such as the applet viewer, the line data applet viewer, and the IBM Daeja ViewONE Professional viewer
  • Deleting teamspaces by using task manager
  • Using plug-ins that provide Java applet integrations, such as the plug-ins provided for workflow design and management
 The IBM Content Navigator documentation provides information about the applications that replace the older applet capabilities.
Content Manager eClient Features in eClient that are available as Java applets do not run.
For example,
  • Printing
  • Exporting
  • Viewing with Applet Viewer
 eClient is a component of Content Manager 8.4 whose end of service date is April 30, 2016.
Content Manager Web Interface (WEBi) Features in WEBi that are available as Java applets do not run.
For example,
  • Printing
  • Viewing with Applet Viewers (Including OnDemand Applet)
  • Export
  • Import
 WEBi is a component of Content Manager 8.4 whose end of service date is April 30, 2016.
For more details specific to Microsoft Edge and ECM client products, visit this technote: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/microsoft-edge-browser-support-ecm-client-products

Diagnosing The Problem

When functionality is provided by a Java applet or plug-in, the plug-in do not start.

Resolving The Problem


Google Chrome

Chrome Version 45 and later does not support NPAPI. There is no workaround.

Chrome Version 42, use the following procedure to enable NPAPI plug-ins:

1. In the browser URL bar, enter: chrome://flags/#enable-npapi
2. Click the Enable link for the Enable NPAPI configuration option.
3. Click the Relaunch button that now appears at the bottom of the configuration page.

More detail can be found here: https://www.chromium.org/developers/npapi-deprecation

Additional information and steps from Oracle for enabling NPAPI and Java in Chrome are available here: http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/chrome.xml.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox NPAPI support ends at the year end of 2016. More information about Firefox and NPAPI can be found here: https://blog.mozilla.org/futurereleases/2015/10/08/npapi-plugins-in-firefox/

Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge

Microsoft Internet Explorer uses an Active X Control to launch Java. Internet Explorer is no longer supported by Microsoft.

Microsoft Edge does not support NPAPI. There is no workaround.

IBM recommends customers move to a supported browser for your ECM Web Client. For more information, refer to the product documentation.

[{"Type":"MASTER","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB18","label":"Miscellaneous LOB"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU056","label":"Miscellaneous"},"Product":{"code":"SSEUEX","label":"IBM Content Navigator"},"ARM Category":[{"code":"a8m0z0000001jhcAAA","label":"ICN"}],"ARM Case Number":"","Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Version":"3.0.1;and future releases"},{"Product":{"code":"SSTHRT","label":"IBM Case Foundation"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSCTJ4","label":"IBM Case Manager"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSBK6W","label":"Case Manager for Investigations"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSGLW6","label":"IBM Content Foundation"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSRS7Z","label":"IBM Content Manager Enterprise Edition"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSEPCD","label":"Content Manager OnDemand for Multiplatforms"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSEUEX","label":"IBM Content Navigator"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU056","label":"Miscellaneous"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB18","label":"Miscellaneous LOB"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSTTN8","label":"IBM Daeja ViewONE Virtual"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSNVVQ","label":"IBM Enterprise Records"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSNVNV","label":"FileNet Content Manager"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"}},{"Type":"MASTER","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SSB2EG","label":"Content Manager OnDemand for i"},"ARM Category":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":""},{"Type":"MASTER","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB45","label":"Automation"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SSQHWE","label":"Content Manager OnDemand for z\/OS"},"ARM Category":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":""}]

Document Information

Modified date:
01 November 2023

UID

swg21883710

Page Feedback