Ubuntu 12:04: 32-bit Java Browser Environment

I used to call this installation my WebEx environment.  WebEx has a requirement for a 32-bit Java installation.  But, I found a few more needs for a 32-bit Java/browser such as a Juniper VPN.

Basically, I just did a variation on my older post about WebEx.

Here’s how I set it up:

Creating the Directory

I put all of the pieces under a single directory.  I used to call it webex, but I am going to call it 32java.  Here’s the commands:

cd ~/bin
mkdir 32java

Installing Java

I downloaded Java from the Oracle Java Download Page.

Next, I simply extracted it under my new 32java directory.

cd ~/bin/32java
tar -xzvf ~/Downloads/jre-7u4-linux-i586.tar.gz

Installing Firefox

I downloaded Firefox from the Download Page.

Again, I just extracted it into my 32java directory.

cd ~/bin/32java
tar -xjvf ~/Downloads/firefox-12.0.tar.bz2

The Script

After just slapping these programs into a directory, I need some glue to make them work together.  The glue is a little launcher script.  The script’s responsibility is to set the environment variables to where it will use these paths to run the programs.

I used these commands to edit the script.

cd ~/bin/32java
gedit ~/bin/32java/32java.sh

Then, in the gedit window, I wrote this script:

#!/bin/bash

cd ~/bin/32java
export ENV_HOME=~/bin/32java
export FIREFOX_HOME=$ENV_HOME/firefox
export MOZ_PLUGIN_PATH=$FIREFOX_HOME/plugins
export PATH=$FIREFOX_HOME:$JAVA_HOME/bin/:$JDK_HOME/bin/:$PATH
export JAVA_HOME=$ENV_HOME/jre1.7.0_04/
export PATH=$FIREFOX_HOME/firefox:$JAVA_HOME/bin:$JAVA_HOME/jre/bin:$PATH
firefox --no-remote -P WebEx

Next, you have to make the script executable.  Also, make sure that your Java binary and Firefox binary are both executable.

chmod +x 32java.sh

Finally, I needed to link in the Java plugin.  Before creating the symbolic link, you have to set all those variables.

export ENV_HOME=~/bin/32java
export FIREFOX_HOME=$ENV_HOME/firefox
export MOZ_PLUGIN_PATH=$FIREFOX_HOME/plugins
export PATH=$FIREFOX_HOME:$JAVA_HOME/bin/:$JDK_HOME/bin/:$PATH
export JAVA_HOME=$ENV_HOME/jre1.7.0_04/
export PATH=$FIREFOX_HOME/firefox:$JAVA_HOME/bin:$JAVA_HOME/jre/bin:$PATH
mkdir $MOZ_PLUGIN_PATH
ln -s $JAVA_HOME/lib/i386/libnpjp2.so $MOZ_PLUGIN_PATH/libnpjp2.so

 

Testing Java

To make sure you really have a 32-bit environment, run your script and visit the Java testing page.  Look for the i386 architecture.

Adding to the Menu

To make running this easier, I added it to the menu.  I opened the Main Menu application (you may need to install it).  I thought the launcher went well under the “Internet” section, and there I clicked the “New Item” button.

I chose the link to my new script.  I also make sure that I included the word WebEx in the comment so that if I forget and search for it by that, it will still show up in the results.

Installing the Certificate

This next section is more of a reminder for me.  I am thinking of using this with a Juniper VPN, and I have to have a certificate to connect.

I went to Edit > Preferences, Advanced > Encryption and clicked the “View Certificates” button:

Next, I went to the “Your Certificates” tab and clicked “Import”:

Finally, I had to browse and find the p12 certificate file.  It asked for the password, and then, it said it was complete:

17 thoughts on “Ubuntu 12:04: 32-bit Java Browser Environment

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  2. Hi I tried the above steps mentioned in the blog .. Since the bin directory was not there in my Home directory i created one and completed the steps mentioned there . But when i launch the script it seems to be throwing the error

    “/home/sjayavel/bin/32java/firefox/firefox: No such file or directory”

    Can you help . I wanted to get webex working in ubuntu asap.

    1. Jayavel,

      Sorry, I should have mentioned creating the bin directory. I did that on another step during my system setup.

      Is it possible that your firefox binary is not executable?

      Try:
      ls -l /home/sjayavel/bin/32java/firefox/firefox

      If the file exists, but the “x” bit is not set, try running:
      chmod +x /home/sjayavel/bin/32java/firefox/firefox

      If the file doesn’t exist, is it possible that you extracted or installed Firefox in a different directory, maybe one that includes the version number?

      Does any of that help?

  3. When following the steps above, I get an error when starting the script:
    XPCOMGlueLoad error for file /home/andersl/bin/32java/firefox/libxpcom.so:
    libxul.so: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
    Couldn’t load XPCOM.

    Any ideas?

  4. I tried to follow your instruction hoping to solve a WebEx audio problem I have since installing linux Mint based on Ubuntu 12.04.

    No problem with your instruction (very well explained). I can open Firefox from the folder and start the Meeting Center but when I try to join I still get “The audio device is unacessibile now”.

    Do you also have/had this audio issue?

  5. Hi,
    i have firefox and java 32 bits set up in fedora 17. everything seems to be set up nicely. firefox reads java as 32 bit and webex connects alright. i am able to share my desktop but the other person is not able to see my desktop and sees a green screen instead in the “viewing ******’s desktop” window.
    Can you help?

    1. Unfortunately, I don’t know that I can help. My guess would be that maybe installing some packages might help, but I am not sure which ones.

      I had hopes that I could make some time to try to experiment with this, but I haven’t have been able to. My plan is to install Ubuntu 12.10 soon, and maybe I’ll find something out when I do that.

    1. Actually, WebEx seems to have been making progress on their side. I can actually start WebEx meetings from my Default Chrome. I am on Ubuntu 12.10 64-bit, and I have the regular Sun JVM installed and active as opposed to the OpenJDK:

      skp@chestnut:~$ which java
      /usr/bin/java
      skp@chestnut:~$ java -version
      java version “1.7.0_17”
      Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_17-b02)
      Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 23.7-b01, mixed mode)
      skp@chestnut:~$ uname -r
      3.5.0-27-generic

      I don’t know if that makes a difference or not.

      But, I haven’t figured out how to get the audio or the Webcam to work. As an alternative, I had been using Google Chat (via GMail) to call in to the meeting. That way I can still use my computer headset. I wonder if we are missing some required package. When I get a chance, I’ll see if I can find the latest WebEx system requirements and see if something is missing.

      1. @digitaleagle What do you mean you can start WebEx meetings: you mean join an exsisting meeting or just set up own meeting ?
        I do not have a plans to set up my own meetings so the only think i am dreaming of is to have ability to join a meeting with audio broadcast.

        Sorry for stupid question but how do you use google chat to call in into webex meetings ? does it work out of the box or it requires some extra setup on meeting organizer side ? I know that some people call in using phone number but since i am from Europe and most meetings i attend are organized in USA it is not an option for me.

        Beside I tried to join a meeting from my chromium on ubuntu 12.04 and still the same problem:”You do not have the necessary audio capability to join Audio Broadcasting””.

  6. I can join as either host or guest. Maybe the difference is that these meetings that we usually use have a phone option for connecting. So, we get a dial-in number or we can use the computer audio. WebEx joins both types of attendees into the same audio so it works the same either way.

    If you are joining a meeting where they can turn off the phone option (not sure if that’s possible or not), then your situation is more dire than mine.

    On the Google Chat thing, I have a chat widget on the left side of my GMail webpage. I have a phone button at the top, and when I click it, it lets me dial any phone number. I am not sure if that is basic to Google Chat or if that is because I signed up for Google Voice. But, I can use it to call the WebEx phone number.

    When I wrote this article, WebEx did not support 64-bit. So, I could access their website and schedule a meeting, but I couldn’t click on the link and get to the Meeting Manager window. Then, they upgraded, and I could get to the Meeting Manager Window, but I couldn’t view anyone’s desktop. Now, the only thing that doesn’t work is the audio and video. I am not sure that even worked on the latest 32-bit versions that I remember.

    I’ll let you know if I figure something out. It maybe on their side.

  7. Hi

    Thx for a deep explanation.
    As long as i moved to ubuntu 64 i started having problems with Webex audio on meeeting joining. Everything seems to work fine: chat, questions, video but not audio. I have never had a chance to set up my own meeting but as i wrote above for me being guest everything works fine except for audio.
    Some of the meetings i join have phone call-in option available some do not. It is not an option to call-in using my landline phone, since i would have to pay for international call from my own pocket :(. On the other side maybe i can use some voip technology like google voice or skype to call in. These calls can be really cheap if not free (some voip providers has toll-free connections to USA landlines phones) so it is definetely an option…
    As a last resort i can ask my girlfriend to rent me windows machine for an hour from time to time. It is so embarassing…

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