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Problem with Date processing on VMWARE/Java/OAS application - DST related?

We have a timekeeping/scheduling application that is producing date related errors during the first week of April – during the “old” DST changeover weekend. We don’t have access to the application code, but it is doing extensive date processing (adding/subtracting number of days) and only fails on that weekend. The same exact version of the application works properly in other environments, the only known difference is the server (the problem occurs on a VM server, while all others are physical servers). The app server was recently re-installed in the environment that is having the problem, so it could potentially be the culprit as well.

Details:
Application: Java 1.4
Database: Oracle 10G
App Server: OAS
Server: VMWARE (Linux Redhat)

In addition, we can setup a remote workstation to point to the same database that is in the environment that is having the problem, and run the same version of the application, and the error does not occur.

Any ideas on what to look for?

SOLUTION

vmwarun - Arun

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robert1330

ASKER

I don't know, I would have to check with other people that support the VM. Is there a command I can run to see if that's been set, and to see if time/dates is being handled properly?

vmwarun - Arun

Double click on the VMware Tools Box in the System Tray. There would be an option to enable "Synchronize Virtual Machine time with ESX Host"

robert1330

ASKER

This is actually a Linux/Redhat VM, and I only have basic access to Telnet to the server and run commands on the command line. Is there a command I can run there?

And are there other commands I can execute to prove this is the issue?

vmwarun - Arun

The vmware-toolbox is the program that allows you to check the configured settings for a VM in Linux.

Do a whereis search for this program as I am not able to point out the exact location of this program.

robert1330

ASKER

Thanks, I'm going to get more info from the people that have access to that server, and will get back to you next week.

vmwarun - Arun

Will keep my fingers crossed :)

mccarl

I doubt actually that it is a synch problem as it is only occurring at very specific dates and not at others (if I understand the question correctly)

One thing that you may be able to clarify, is the problem happening only when the "current time" is in that first week of April, or is the problem happening all the time but only for dates in that first week of April (I hope you understand the distinction I am trying to make!). Possibly if you could describe in a bit more detail an example of a specific problem, it may help.

robert1330

ASKER

It is happening all the time, but only for dates in the first week of April that are having a calculation performed against them within a Java/Oracle/OAS application.

robert1330

ASKER

arunraju: You mentioned checking to see if time was being synchronized with the ESX host. In my case, the application is reading the current date from the VM, then calculating a future date/time (the first week of April). Would synchronization still play a role in that case, or does the synchronization only have to do with updating the current time of the VM?

vmwarun - Arun

Time Synchronization is a vital component in the Virtual Infrastructure.

If you are using Active Directory, then the PDC Emulator would be your NTP Server, in all the other cases, the ESX Host is configured to sync time from a remote NTP Server (Internet), while the VMs would be configured to sync time with the Host, provided VMware Tools are installed in the VM.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

robert1330

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