Usage guide: Oracle Java license management

Introduction

This library pack helps to detect and manage Java packages according to the updated Oracle Java licensing model.

Please keep in mind this is a guide and represents just some of the potential insight and actions you can take. There are many use cases and specific troubleshooting scenarios that you might uncover in your environment.

Ensure your library pack is properly configured by following the steps highlighted in its configuration guide:

Configuration guide: Oracle Java license management

Pack structure

Overview of the Intune client environment.

The "Jamf agent health" live dashboard acts as the central point of this library pack. This dashboard uses tabs to display Java-related content: the Oracle Java tab shows all Oracle Java versions in use, the non-Oracle/OpenJDK tab covers third-party and OpenJDK versions, and the Device and package breakdown tab helps identify specific Java versions on devices using filters. Common filters include location, package name, package version, package publisher, and device name, with localization options based on Geo-IP configuration.

Please note: Oracle Java license agreements take into account not only Java version and availability on devices, but also security patch levels, use of Oracle "commercial features", the purpose of use, and other factors that are technically impossible to track. The dashboard acts as an advisory source of data and should not be used as a software asset management tool.

Use cases

Reduce the risk of licensing penalties by identifying devices running Oracle Java versions that may require a license

The Oracle Java tab provides a high-level view of all Java categories, as well as a breakdown into two general categories: Oracle Java versions that potentially require a license and Oracle and non-Oracle/OpenJDK Java versions that are potentially free. This use case is supported by the "Oracle Java versions that potentially require a license" category. This category includes non-NFTC, OTN, and other versions of Oracle Java that are likely to require a license for production use. These include the following versions: Java 7 U85 and later; Java 8 U211 and later; Java 11 - 16.

Using the breakdown widgets and the drill-down to devices feature, you can identify specific Oracle Java versions and specific devices running those versions and take remediation actions.

On the other hand, the category "Oracle and non-Oracle/OpenJDK Java versions that are potentially free" helps you track the migration from Oracle Java versions that may require a license to free versions. This category includes NFTC, BCL, and other Oracle Java versions, as well as third-party Java versions that allow free production use under certain conditions. These include the following versions: Java 7 U80 and earlier; Java 8 U202 and earlier; Java 9 and 10, Java 17 - 21, and non-Oracle/OpenJDK Java versions.

Track migration to free Java alternatives

The Non-Oracle/OpenJDK Java tab provides an overview of non-Oracle/OpenJDK versions of Java. This includes third-party Java builds (Microsoft, Red Hat, Amazon, Azul, etc.) that are available as open source products or are subject to different licensing agreements than Oracle Java versions.

Examine Java packages on a specific device or group of devices

The Device and Package Breakdown tab provides detailed information about specific devices running specific versions of Java. The tab can be used with filters by device name, device location or object, Java package name, version, and publisher. When these filters are applied, the table on this tab displays all Java packages installed on the selected devices or all devices running specific versions of Java. This information can help you plan your next steps, such as initiating the removal of non-compliant versions of Java.

Please note: without these filters applied, the table on this tab displays random packages (including non-Java packages) installed on devices in the environment.