How Do You Handle Conflicting Java Dependencies?
In recent months, many of our customers expressed interest in containerizing Java applications and applications dependent on Java components, some of which have open-source alternatives.
This is in large part due to organizations mass deploying Java Development Kit (JDK) or Standard Edition to ensure any Java dependent applications continued to function after Oracle stopped updates of previous Java Runtime Environment (JRE) versions. Many organizations now wish to rationalize their deployments and ensure they are only deploying the SE version to users who truly require to switch to the recently announced Java SE Universal Subscription, which is licensed per named user. Switching from mass deployment to user targeted makes sense to align with the licensing requirements.
In the past, Java was such a critical application in enterprises that many organizations made it part of their standard desktop image or deployed to all devices. When JRE was switched to become part of JDK, some organizations continued the practice of mass deploying, as they were not aware exactly how many users and how many applications required it with the recent changes to SE licensing. Now is the time to change this practice.
Tackling Legacy Java Runtime Environment (JRE) Versions
There are also organizations who have legacy applications that still require older JRE versions. This likely requires supporting older versions of Java Runtime Environment alongside the latest JRE version. To effectively do so, you need to limit access and exposure of the older JRE version. The developers of Java thought about this and provided a Java deployment rule set many years ago, but many who have tried to implement it find it difficult to work with.
Oracle also announced the deprecation of Java Web Start and Java applets, forcing some organizations still relying on applications utilizing these features to look toward open-source alternatives, such as Open Web Start.
Containers can help with both scenarios. Putting old versions of JRE in containers helps reduce exposure of using these runtimes and permits you to run multiple versions side by side without the need to use the Java Deployment Rule Set. You can also containerize any applications that require deprecated components such Java Web Start with an open-source alternative to ensure continuity of your applications while working on finding a permanent long-term solution.
In the video above, you can see an example of us delivering a simple Java Web Start application with the open-source alternative Open Web Start application, followed by an example of multiple versions of the JRE side-by-side on the same machine for the same user, completely isolated from one another and finally the delivery and use of Open Office which relies on Java for its Database application. All examples utilize application containers to deliver the Java pre-requisites and to target the applications and dependencies to only the entitled users who require them.
Cloudpaging Containers Mitigate Java Dependency Issues
Containerizing legacy applications can help bring all applications that you still rely on to a modern Windows operating system. In the case of a legacy runtime or framework, it can also isolate them from other users and applications running on the underlying operating system, providing an extra layer of security.
When you deploy the containers with Cloudpager Workpods, you can create user personas where only the entitled users will receive Java and their associated applications, thus limiting sprawl within your enterprise.
Ultimately, this ensures these legacy applications will continue to function without sacrificing functionality or performance as you migrate to the latest Windows operating systems. It also provides a solution to continue supporting these applications, whether you are seeking modern solutions for deploying Java SE with true user targeting or a free alternative solution (e.g., OpenJDK, Amazon Corretto, and Open Web Start) while you work on migrating to new versions or alternative applications that no longer require Java.
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