In my current role, I don’t do a lot of array configuration from scratch anymore. I generally do the detailed design and hand it over to a colleague to go and make it so. Recently, however, I’ve had to step in and do some actual work myself because reasons. Anyway, I was deploying a new VNX5400 and having a heck of a time getting Unisphere to work. And by Unisphere I mean Java. I initially wanted to blame my work-issued Windows 8.1 laptop, but it was ultimately a Java issue. It turns out my Java version was high. Not Cypress Hill high, but still too high for Unisphere.

EMC’s snappily titled “EMC VNX Operating Environment for Block 05.33.006.5.096, EMC VNX Operating Environment for File 8.1.6.96, EMC Unisphere 1.3.6.1.0096 Release Notes” talks fairly explicitly about Java support on page 6, and I thought it was worth repeating here for schmucks like me who do this stuff part-time. You can find this document on the EMC support site.

“Java support

The following 32 bit Java Platforms are verified by EMC and compatible for use with Unisphere, the Unified Service Manager (USM), and the VNX Installation Assistant (VIA):

• Oracle Standard Edition 1.7 up to Update 75
• Oracle Standard Edition 1.8 up to Update 25

The 32-bit JRE is required – even on 64 bit systems. JRE Standard Edition 1.6 is not recommended because Oracle has stopped support for this edition”.

I think I was running 1.8 Update 31, and saw that, regardless of the browser, Unisphere just wouldn’t load. If you need to track down an older version of Java to work on stuff like this – Oracle has a site you can go to here. Incidentally, I can confirm that it is not necessary to install the Ask Toolbar in order for Unisphere to function correctly.

*Update (2016.05.20): Current link to 1.8 U25 is here.

*Update (2016.06.04): Jirah Cox (@vJirah) pointed out that http://filehippo.com keeps an extensive archive of versions too.