Disable Auto Compile in Jdeveloper 12C after saving Composite.xml

One of the (annoying)feature which gets enabled by default after installing Jdeveloper 12c is auto build after saving composite.xml

To disable the same, Navigate to  Tools->Preferences->Code Editor->Save Actions and delete the below action (Build Project after save).

Pause JMS Queue Message Consumption At Server Startup - Weblogic

How do we pause JMS Queue Message Consumption at Server Startup/ Restart

• Login to Weblogic Console.
• Navigate to JMS Module-> Module name -> Select the Queue you want to pause.
• In Configuration-> expand Advance and enable the check box at Pause Message Consumption At Startup

After you finish, You must restart Server for the changes to reflect.

If you want to pause all the queues hosted in JMS servers, You can do the same configuration in JMS servers as well.

Navigate to Services >Messaging > JMS Servers> select the JMS server

• In Configuration-> expand Advance and enable the check box at Pause Message Consumption At Startup

How to Verify/Apply the Patches Applied to an Oracle Home

To List the patches applied to your Oracle Home.

Go to Oracle Home and Run opatch under OPatch Folder
(Provide the full path for Oracle Home while running the command)

/soa/oracle/OPatch/opatch lsinventory

How to Apply Patch

Extract the Patch folder you downloaded from Oracle Support Site.
Go into the Extracted folder and run below command. Before Running, make sure you shutdown all the servers including admin server.
$ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/opatch apply
Example: /soa/oracle/OPatch/opatch apply

How to create Proxy Server in OSB Business Service | SOA 12C

For few of the web services with downstream systems, we need to invoke them via a proxy servers.
In the below screenshot, i have shown the how to create a proxy server and associate it with Business service in OSB.

Expand System project(which is a default project with empty folders in OSB).
Select Proxy Server.

Right Click on Proxy Servers folder, then Create -> Create Proxy Server.

 Give a Proxy Server name and details, as shown below.

Once the Proxy Server is created successfully, Open your Business Service and select the Transport Detail page. In the Advanced Options, select the Proxy server you have created in the previous step.

And you are done!!

The invocation resulted in an error: Server chose TLSv1, but that protocol version is not enabled or not supported by the client.

Error while invoking HTTPS URL from OSB Business service.

Error Message: The invocation resulted in an error: Server chose TLSv1, but that protocol version is not enabled or not supported by the client.

Steps to Resolve: 

• Open weblogic console., Click on Servers

•  Click on OSB Server

• Navigate to Configuration->Server Start

• Add the below property in Arguments

Dweblogic.security.SSL.minimumProtocolVersion=TLSv1

Now Restart the OSB Server for the changes to reflect.

Reference: https://docs.oracle.com/middleware/1213/wls/SECMG/ssl_version.htm#SECMG636

ESS (Enterprise Scheduler Service) for Inbound JCA Adapters in SOA 12C

Enterprise Scheduler Service (ESS) is a scheduler that is part of SOA Suite 12c. ESS supports a number of scheduling activities around the SOA Suite.
With the help of em console, we can manage job requests, define metadata and schedule jobs, and APIs to define metadata and create schedules in ESS.
In this section, we are going to create a schedule and assign it to a Inbound JCA (jms,file,db polling,etc..) adapter.

Scenario: Deactivate the DB adapter at 10 PM everyday and activate it back at 8 AM next morning. In this case, records created  by system between 10 PM to 8 AM will not be processed immediately.

Expand Scheduling Services, Right click on ESSAPP. Job Requests-> Define Schedules.

Click on Create to create a new schedule.

Now we have to create 2 Schedules, One for activation and other for Deactivation. (Sequence doesn't matter)
Please note that package have to be mentioned as "soa".
First Deactivation,

 Now Activation,

If you want to look at the schedules, you can just click on name of one the schedules.

Now you can go to your composite, And click on adapter.

 Click on calendar icon on the right corner.

Select the schedules created in above steps and click on Apply Schedules.

And you are done!!!!

Note: I have experienced a issue with clustered ESS servers, the schedules created were not displaying in the adapter. So i brought down one of the ESS server and tried the same and it worked. Not sure whether its product bug, so keep this as a workaround if adapters are not showing the schedules created.

Throttling in OSB 11g - with Work Managers

There are few legacy systems which will not be able to handle too much of load simultaneously. In that cases we need to throttle our system not to send too much requests in parallel.

In OSB, we have 2 different approach to handle this situation.
1. Enable Throttling in Business service.
2. Use custom work manager in Proxy Service.

Throttling in Business Service:

We have an Out-of-box configuration in Business service, where you can just enable the throttling by just check box and configure the values.

But its not available in during the design time, so once the code is deployed to sbconsole. Please follow the below steps to configure the same.

1. Login to Sbconsole.
2. Go to Project Explorer and select the Business service you want to throttle.
3. Select Operational Settings tab.
4. In this tab, under Throttling, select the Enable check box.

• Maximum Concurrency - Number of parallel request to that service.
• Throttling Queue - to backlog messages that has exceeded the message concurrency limit
• Message Expiration - Specify the number of milliseconds that a message can spend in Throttling Queue. The message will be erased after specified time. (It is a optional field) If the message expiration is set to "0" , the message will never expire.

Note: The Queue is a cache memory, so if the server crashes or restarts the messages stored in Throttling queue will be lost.

Throttling Using Proxy service: 

So the Better the option to handle throttling will be work managers along with Proxy Service.

Follow the below steps to create work manager,

1. Login to Console.

2. Select Work Managers.

3. Click on New.

 4. Select Work Manager.

 5. Name the Work Manager and select the targeted server.

 6. Now Click on the Custom Work Manger you have created.

 7. Select "New" on Maximum Thread constraint.

 8. Specify the number of thread you wish to use.

9. Now Activate the session.

 10. Login to Sbconsole and navigate to the Proxy Service.

11. Select the "dispatch-policy" under HTTP Transport Configuration and activate the session.

Note: In this case, the throttling will happen at the proxy service layer itself. So there wont be any message loss.

Create Custom Xpath function in OSB - SOA 11g

In this post, we are going to see how to create Custom Xpath function for OSB 11g. I'm going to take a example of replicating the XREF functions which are available in BPEL,but not in OSB.

The Custom Xref functions are created using a Java Code and deployed into our Server. After restarting the Server, Xref functions will be available in sbconsole. The available Xref Functions will be 

• populateXrefRow(),
• deleteXrefRow(),
• lookupXRef(),
• lookupXRef1M().

STEPS:

1.  All the Cross reference values will be stored in XREF_DATA inside SOA_Infra Schema(Or we can change the schema location, Please find the SQL below to create tables in desired schema).  So In Java code we will be connecting to the database(via DataSource) and will retrieve the corresponding values.
2. Please verify data source “jdbc/SOADataSource” is available and connecting to the schema (which has Xref_data table).
3. And For Connecting to Database we need a external Jar(ojdbc6.jar and weblogic.jar) to be Imported inside your java Project. It can be imported like, Right click on the Project ->Java Build Path ->Add Jar.
4. Implement the Java code which will contain the four below functions. (Code attached Below)
5. Once the code is compiled successfully, we need to export the Java Code as “JAR” file and Copy the Jar File into $OSB_HOME/config/xpath-functions.
6. Now Create a XML File which will contain the namespace,Class and function name,etc., Like attached (CustomXrefFunctions.xml),
7. After Placing the XML file in the Same location ($OSB_HOME/config/xpath-functions), Restart the Server. Then Xref functions will be available in the sbconsole.

SQL Statements to create XREF Tables (If you are not planning to use default schemas)

CREATE TABLE XREF_DATA

(

    XREF_TABLE_NAME VARCHAR2(2000) NOT NULL,

    XREF_COLUMN_NAME VARCHAR2(2000) NOT NULL,

    ROW_NUMBER VARCHAR2(48) NOT NULL,

    VALUE VARCHAR2(2000) NOT NULL,

    IS_DELETED VARCHAR2(1) NOT NULL,

    LAST_MODIFIED TIMESTAMP NOT NULL

);

ALTER TABLE XREF_DATA

    ADD CONSTRAINT XREF_DATA_PK PRIMARY KEY (XREF_TABLE_NAME, XREF_COLUMN_NAME, VALUE);

CREATE INDEX XREF_ROW_NUMBER ON XREF_DATA

    (ROW_NUMBER );

CREATE INDEX XREF_VALUE ON XREF_DATA

    (VALUE );

JAVA Code:

Click Here Java Code

Reference:

http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E14571_01/doc.1111/e15866/custom_xpath.htm

http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E17904_01/integration.1111/e10224/med_xrefs.htm

How to Copy Files/Folders from one server to another remote server in Linux

We can use scp command to copy files and folders from one server to another server. Below is the syntax for scp command.

scp [-1246BCpqrv] [-c cipher] [-F ssh_config] [-i identity_file] [-l limit] [-o ssh_option] [-P port] [-S program] [[user@]host1:]file1 ...[[user@]host2:]file2

scp stands for secure cp (copy), which means you can copy files across ssh connection, it uses the port 22 by default.

• Copy File from Server 1 to Server 2, assuming you already logged in to server 1.

scp /path/of/file username@serverhost:/path/to/destination

example: scp /tmp/sample.txt user1@122.1.1.197:/tmp/sampledirectory/

• Copy folders from Server 1 to Server 2, assuming you already logged in to server 1.

scp -r /path/of/source-folder user@server:/path/to/destination-folder/
example: scp -r /tmp/somedirectory user1@122.1.1.197:/tmp/sampledirectory/

Note: -r Recursively copy entire directories.

• Copy specific files under a folder from Server 1 to Server 2, assuming you already logged in to server 1.

scp /path/of/source-folder/*.txt user@server:/path/to/destination-folder/

example: scp /tmp/sample/*.txt user1@127.1.1.197:/home/sample/

How to use wildcard character for namespace in XSLT 1.0

XSLT 1.0

We can't use wildcard characters (*) for namespace directly in XSLT 1.0, but there is a different way of representing wildcard character like below.

ns1:sample/ns1:test/ns1:input is equivalent to ns1:sample/ns1:test/*[local-name() = 'input']

ns1:sample/ns1:test/ns1:input is equivalent to ns1:sample/*[local-name() = 'test']/*[local-name() = 'input']

But XLST 2.0 supports wildcard character as below as it is like ns1:sample/*:test/*:input

How to Update MDS Files using scripts in SOA 12C | AIAConfigurationProperties File

Below are the steps to update AIAConfigurationProperties.xml in SOA 12C. You can pretty much use the same steps to update any MDS files in SOA 12C.

1. Open Putty, Go to below location(location might differ based on your installation) /soa/oracle/oracle_common/common/bin

2. run wlst.sh like below.
./wlst.sh

3. It will be in offline mode, so do
connect()
Once it prompts for username/ password, please provide weblogic credentials, like below
t3://host:port
Example t3://123.12.12.12:7001

4. exportMetadata(application='soa-infra',server='SOAServer1',toLocation='/home/MDSArtifacts',docs='/**')
(This is a one time activity, to get the current structure of  MDS in your server location, You can choose any toLocation in above statement.)

5. Now go to below location to update the AIAConfig file.
(you can open in another session or open the file using Winscp)
/home/MDSArtifacts/soa/configuration/default and Change the AIAConfigurationProperties.xml

As you might be already aware, in SOA 12c AIAConfig file will be under "soa" folder instead "apps".

6. Change update the file as required.

7. importMetadata(application='soa-infra',server='SOAServer1',fromLocation='/home/MDSArtifacts',docs='/soa/configuration/default/AIAConfigurationProperties.xml')

8. Reload the configuration by go to SCE console.
http://host:SOAPort/sce

Example: http://123.12.12.12:8001/sce

How to Decompress the XML from Base 64 format in BPEL | GZIP | SOA

Below is the Java embedding code to decompress the base 64 format into a XML.

try                                                     
{     
//Base 64 Format to Bytes 
oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLElement inputPayload = (oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLElement)getVariableData("Invoke_Target_OutputVariable","Result","/response/paylaod");           
String inputstr = inputPayload.getTextContent();
byte[] valueDecoded = org.apache.commons.codec.binary.Base64.decodeBase64(inputstr.getBytes());
//Bytes to GZIP
java.util.zip.GZIPInputStream zis = new java.util.zip.GZIPInputStream((java.io.InputStream) new java.io.ByteArrayInputStream(valueDecoded));
//GZIP to XML
StringBuilder xmlStr = new StringBuilder();
byte[] buffer = new byte[1024];
int read = 0;
while (zis.available()==1) {
while ((read = zis.read(buffer, 0, 1024)) >= 0) {
xmlStr.append(new String(buffer, 0, read));
}
}
String xmlMsg = xmlStr.toString();
//Assign XML to a Variable in BPEL
setVariableData("Temp_EBM", xmlMsg); 
}                                                 
catch(Exception e)                                                 
{                                                 
e.printStackTrace();                                                 
}

To learn how to compress, please use below link.
How to compress xml using gzip in bpel

How to Compress the XML Using GZIP in BPEL | Bas64 | SOA

Below is the Java embedding code in BPEL which will compress the XML using GZIP and convert it into Bas64 format. Compression ratio will be around 85%.

try {               
//Retrieve XML and Convert it to String           
    oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLElement inputPayload = (oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLElement)getVariableData("inputVariable","payload","/inputXML"); 
    oracle.xml.parser.v2.XMLDocument xmlPayload = inputPayload.getDocument();             
    java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream outputStream = new java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream();             
    xmlPayload.print(outputStream);             
    String inputstr = outputStream.toString();

//Compress the string using Gzip and Convert it to byte[]     
java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream bos = new java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream(inputstr.length());   
java.util.zip.GZIPOutputStream gzip = new java.util.zip.GZIPOutputStream(bos);         
gzip.write(inputstr.getBytes());         
gzip.close();         
byte[] compressed = bos.toByteArray();         
        bos.toByteArray();         
bos.close();         

//Convert the Gzip to Base64 Format           
  oracle.soa.common.util.Base64Encoder encoder = new oracle.soa.common.util.Base64Encoder();                   
  java.lang.String encodedString = null;                   
  encodedString = encoder.encode(compressed);             
   
//Assign it to Invoke variable           
  setVariableData("Invoke_TargetSystem_InputVariable", "Parameters", "/request/paylaod", encodedString);       
   
} catch (Exception e) {                   
  addAuditTrailEntry(e);                   
}

To learn how to decompress, please use below link.
How to decompress xml from base64|GZIP

How to import/export/deploy MDS from EM console - SOA 11g

Export MDS Artifacts from EM console

Open Em console

http://host:port/em

Right Click on Soa-infra and select Administration-> MDS Configuration

And then Click on Export button, to export all the metadata contents to your machine.

Import/Deploy MDS Artifacts 

Right Click on Soa-infra and select Administration-> MDS Configuration

Click on Choose file under import.

Point to be noted is the folder structure. The Root folder should start from apps. 

For example, if you want to import some files under ApplicationConnectorServiceLibrary then you should create the folder structure like apps\AIAMetaData\AIAComponents\ApplicationConnectorServiceLibrary\AIA\ProviderABCS\Sample.wsdl

Then Zip the apps folder and import it here in the EM console.

How to delete Files and folders from MDS using WLST Commands

There are many times when will deploy unwanted files/folders into MDS and later we need to remove the same.
Below are few WLST commands which will be really helpful in this place.

To use those custom commands, you must invoke the WLST script from the appropriate Oracle home. Do not use the WLST script in the WebLogic Server home.

• For MDS custom WLST commands, you must invoke the WLST script from the Oracle Common.
• For other components, such as Oracle HTTP Server, Oracle SOA Suite, or Oracle WebCenter Portal, invoke WLST from the Oracle home in which the component has been installed. 

1. To delete files from MDS

To use these MDS custom WLST commands, you must invoke the WLST script from the Oracle Common. The path will look something like below,

Run Oracle/Middleware/oracle_common/common/bin/wlst.sh

Its a online function so do connect() and execute it.

Enter connect()

Give Username / password / URL (Port number belongs to Admin server)

After login, execute below command to delete the file from MDS,

deleteMetadata(application='soa-infra',server='soa_server1',docs='/apps/Sample/abc.wsdl')

2. To delete Folders from MDS

For components such as Oracle HTTP Server, Oracle SOA Suite, or Oracle WebCenter Portal, invoke WLST from the Oracle home in which the component has been installed. The path will be similar to below,

Run Oracle/Middleware/Oracle_SOA1/common/bin/wlst.sh

It's an Offline function. 

sca_removeSharedData('http://hostname:portno<SOAServerport>', 'AIAMetaData/AIAComponents/ApplicationObjectLibrary/Test','weblogic','weblogicpassword') 

It will remove the folder "Test" from apps/AIAMetaData/AIAComponents/ApplicationObjectLibrary/Test

Note: to delete the folder, the folder should atleast contain one file. If the folder doesn't contain any files, there is a work around to remove dummy folders from MDS. You can delete the folders directly from MDS schema, with the help of below URL.

select * from mds_paths where path_fullname like '%/apps/AIAMetaData/Custom%';
It will delete all the folders(subfolders) under AIAMetadata/Custom
But please be very careful about executing this statement.

References:
http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E28271_01/web.1111/e13813/custom_mds.htm
https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E23943_01/web.1111/e13813/custom_soa.htm#WLSTC2689
https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E23943_01/core.1111/e10105/getstart.htm#ASADM109