Download Director - Frequently Asked Questions

Download Director is a Java applet that provides enhanced download capability to IBM customers who download our products from the internet. It provides high-performance, reliable downloads with pause and resume capability. It starts in a separate browser window and provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to specify the download location, and view download status.

Download Director meets the standards set for Common Criteria evaluated software downloads.

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Download Director provides advanced features not available with other download tools. Some key features include:

• Resumable downloads from any type of interruption or lost connection
  When your internet connection is lost or your browser crashes, Download Director can save you download time by restarting the connection from the point of interruption with no loss of data. It automatically retries downloads when the connection is lost. It also lets you pause or resume the download at any time.
  
• Guaranteed file delivery
  Download Director uses a secure SHA-1 hashing algorithm to check that files are transferred correctly. You will receive an error notification if the download was not completely successfully for any reason. This feature meets the requirements to support Common Criteria evaluated software downloads.
  
• High speed transfer
  Multiple connections enhance transfer speeds for customers connected via high speed connections such as DSL, cable modem, T1 etc.
  
• File access through a firewall
  Download Director allows you to access files through a firewall by using the proxy settings that you provide.
  
• Large file downloads
  Download Director is able to download large files with increased reliability over FTP and HTTP. This eliminates the need to download files that are broken into multiple parts and must be reassembled by the user.
  
• Small applet size
  The small size of Download Director applet (< 200KB) assures a reasonable startup time.
  
• Multi-platform and multi-browser supports
  Download Director is tested on Windows, Linux and AIX platforms. It also supports Netscape 6.x, and 7.x, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla and Opera browsers. Other platforms may work if you use a Java enabled browser.
  
• Single user interface for multiple files
  Download Director supports a download queue so that multiple files can be downloaded through a single user interface.
  
• Display download details
  Download Director shows you details of the current download list and previously downloaded files.
• Unpack downloaded files
  Download Director supports unpacking of packed files for these file types: (.zip) (.tar) (.gz) (.tar.gz).

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Download Director meets the download requirements established for Common Criteria evaluated software. This includes the ability for you to view the status of the download in the popup window and receive a notification if for any reason the download was not completely successful.

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Files that are set up to use Download Director are noted on the download page.You can click the download button (or link) to start the download. Upon first use, two windows will be displayed to you:

• Download Director Applet Window
• Java Security Window

Follow these steps to start a download:

1. Grant the applet privileges from the Java Security Window
   When the applet is runs in the browser, you are prompted to grant additional privileges. If denied, the applet will not run. These privileges are required for Download Director to connect to remote server, read and write local files, and set Java properties.

   To grant the applet privileges, you can click the Grant or Add button when the Java Security window appears. If you don't want this window to be displayed each time Download Director is launched, you can choose the option to remember the decision of granting the applet privileges.

   Note:   If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, the applet window will be blank if Internet security is set to high. It must be set to the default value of medium or lower for the applet to display properly. To set this, select these menu options: Tools -> Internet Options-> Security, and change the security level to medium.

2. Select a download directory
   To specify a download location:
   1. Enter the drive and directory name into the Initial Setup window or use the Browse button to navigate to the desired drive and directory.
   2. Click the check box if you want to be prompted for a download location for each file. If you don't check the check box, all files will be downloaded to the default target directory . If you need to change the target directory afterwards, you can change it from the Setup window after clicking the Setup button.
   3. Click OK to create the new directory and begin the download.

   Notes:

   • Make sure that enough disk space is available for the download. If there is not enough free space on the specified drive, Download Director will eventually display an error message stating that the file cannot be written due to insufficient disk space.
   • If you pause the download and change the location of the download in the Setup window, the changes will take effect on the next download.
   • The first time you run setup, a profile (dlmgr.pro) is created in the download directory.
3. Set proxy server (optional)
   The first time you use Download Director, you are asked if you would like to configure the proxy settings. If you choose yes, a Setup window is displayed. If you choose no, Download Director attempts to download the files without a proxy setting.

   To set the proxy server:

   1. Click the Setup button from the applet window to show the Setup window.
   2. In the Setup window, choose the type of connection (firewall type), enter the server name, and the port number.
   3. Click the Test button to check user's server connection. An information window is displayed to indicate if the connection was successful. If the connection is refused, re-enter the correct settings and click OK.

   Note:   If you don't know how to configure the settings, contact the server administrator. You will be able to download files after entering the correct setting information.

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After a download starts, you can pause or resume a download, reconfigure the settings or cancel a download. There are four buttons at the bottom of the applet window:

• Pause/Resume:  Pause or resume a download at any time.
• Setup:  Display a Setup window  to allow you to configure the settings.
• Details:  Display a Details window to show information about the files and file groups in the current download list and the history download list.
• Cancel:  Cancel the current download.
• ?:  Display an information window with the features of Download Director.

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When you click the Details button, a Details window is displayed to show you information about the current downloads or previous downloads.

• There are two choices on the Details window, the current download list and the download history list.
• The current list includes files that are currently downloading.
• The download history list includes files that have been successfully downloaded through Download Director before.
• There is an option to display the full path for the list of files.
• You can double-click a file item on the list to see more details. If a file item is selected, a window is displayed that shows the details of that file. If a file group item is selected, a list of files in that file group is displayed. A return button shows the main list again.
• A ">" is displayed next to the file that's being downloaded in the current list.
• Click the Close button to close the window.

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The unpack feature can be configured to run when a download finishes or you can manually select files to unpack. Only files of these types (.zip) (.tar) (.gz) (.tar.gz) can be unpacked.

To unpack files when a download finishes:

1. Click the Setup button from the applet window to show the Setup window.
2. In the Setup window, click the Set unpack options button to show the Unpack options window.
3. Specify the unpack location.
4. Specify either Ask before unpacking or Always unpack
5. Check Delete after unpacking if you want the original file deleted after it is successfully unpacked.
6. Click OK for both setup windows.
7. Unpack is now enabled for your next download.

To unpack files manually:

1. Click the Details button from the applet window to show the Details window.
2. In the Details window, choose either Current download or Download history
3. Select a file to unpack and click the Details button. If the file can be unpacked, the Unpack button is displayed.
4. Click the Unpack button to show the Unpack window.
5. Select the unpack options, then click OK to unpack.

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Download Director performs no program install to run on your computer. The applet is downloaded by the Java Plug-in and stored in the Plug-in's cache. Two files are created that store the Download Director settings.

• <java.home>/dlmgr_.pro
  Example: C:\Users\Marc\dlmgr_.pro
  Example: C:\Documents and Settings\Marc\dlmgr_.pro
• <DownloadDirector>/dlmgr_.pro
  Example: C:\Users\Marc\DownloadDirector\dlmgr.pro
  Example: C:\Documents and Settings\Marc\DownloadDirector\dlmgr.pro

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Browsers are available from:

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Note: Uninstalling old plug-ins is recommended before installing a newer one.

• Download file j2re-1_4_*_*- windows-i586-p.exe
• Run this setup file to install the JRE. (Start menu-> Run...-> Browse... -> navigate to and select this file-> press OK)
• When you complete the installation, the JRE is installed in the c:\Program Files\java\j2re1.4.*_* directory.

Note: Java is typically installed using the root userID.

• Download file j2re-1_4_*_*-linux-i586-rpm.bin
• Set the execute permission of the file. Type:
      chmod a+x j2re-1_4_*_*-linux-i586-rpm.bin
• Start the installation process. Type:
      ./j2re-1_4_*_*-linux-i586-rpm.bin
  This displays a license agreement. Read through the agreement. Press the spacebar to display the next page. At the end, enter yes to proceed with the installation. The installation file creates j2re-1_4_*_*_-linux-i586.rpm file in the current directory.
• Run the RPM command at the terminal to install the packages. Type:
      rpm -iv j2re-1_4_*_*-linux-i586.rpm
• The installation of the JRE is complete. The JRE is installed in the /usr/java/j2re1.4.*_* directory.

The Java Softare Development Kit (SDK) contains the plug-in. It's available at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/java/jdk/aix/service.html. Select Java 1.4.2 32 bit. You must sign in or register to download Java, then go to the download page.

Note that Java is typically installed using the root userID.

• Find - IBM 32-bit SDK for AIX, v1.4.2, AIX installp / smit install format
• Download file Java14.sdk.tar.gz
• Download file Java14.license.tar.gz
• Unpack the files. Type:
      gzip -cd Java14.sdk.tar.gz | tar -xvf -
      gzip -cd Java14.license.tar.gz | tar -xvf -
• Start the installation process (as root user). Type:
      smit
  • Navigate to Install Software.
  • Specify the directory with the Java files.
  • Select Software to Install - Java14.sdk and Java14.license
  • Accept license agreement.
  • Install the selected software.
• The installation of the JRE is complete. The JRE is installed in the /usr/java/j2re1.4 directory.

Install APAR IY66819. This APAR is described at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/java/jdk/aix/142/sdk14.fixes.html and is downloaded from Fix Central.

• Specify Server=pSeries family, Product=Java, Ordering options=Specific fixes, your OS level
• Continue...
• Specify APAR number=IY66819 and add to download list
• Continue...
• Accept default requisite and fix settings
• Specify your maintenance level
• Continue...
• Download Java14.sdk.1.4.2.3.bff
• Start the installation process (as root user). Type:
      smit
  • Navigate to Install Software.
  • Specify the directory with the APAR file.
  • Select Software to Install - Java14.sdk (1.4.2.3).
  • Install the selected software.
• The installation of the APAR is complete.

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Uninstalling old plug-ins is recommended before installing a newer one.

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Internet Explorer

• Some versions of Windows included Microsoft's JVM. If this is available and enabled on your system the SUN JRE is not required. See Can I use the Microsoft JVM? for details.
• Start the browser and go to Tools-> Internet Options-> Advanced-> Java (Sun)-> check Use JRE...
• Go to Tools-> Internet Options-> Security-> Internet-> click Default Level (if not already set)
• Restart browser

Mozilla, Mozilla Firefox, Netscape

• Start the browser and check Enable Java
• This setting is found under one of the following:
    - Tools-> Options-> Web Features
    - Edit-> Preferences-> Advanced

Opera

• Opera is available with it's own built-in Java runtime. If you have that installed, the SUN JRE is not required.
• Start the browser and go to File (or Tools)-> Preferences-> Multimedia-> Select Enable Java

• Start the browser and go to File (or Tools)-> Preferences-> Multimedia.
    - check Enable Java
    - specify Java path: /usr/java/j2re1.4.*_*/jre/lib/i386
    - save the settings and restart the browser
• Or - edit the wrapper startup script for the Opera browser /usr/bin/opera by locating OPERA_PLUGIN_PATH. Change the path to point to the plugin. Example:
      OPERA_PLUGIN = /usr/java/j2re1.4.*_*/plugin/i386/ns4
  Save the script and restart the browser.

• Go to the plugins sub-directory under the Mozilla installation directory
      cd <Mozilla installation directory>/plugins
• In the current directory, create a symbolic link to the JRE ns610-gcc32/libjavaplugin_oji.so file Type:
      ln -s <JRE>/plugin/i386/ns610-gcc32/libjavaplugin_oji.so .
  
      Example:
  • if Mozilla is installed in this directory:
    /usr/lib/mozilla-1.4/
  • and if the JRE is installed at this directory:
    /usr/java/j2re1.4.2_1
  • then type at the terminal to go to the browser plug-in directory:
    cd /usr/lib/mozilla-1.4/plugins
  • enter this command to create a symbolic link to the Java Plug-in:
    ln -s /usr/java/j2re1.4.2_1/plugin/i386/ns610-gcc32/libjavaplugin_oji.so .
• Start Mozilla or restart it if it is already running. Note that if you have other Mozilla components (ie: Messenger, Composer, etc) running, you will need to restart them as well.
• Check Enable Java (found under one of the following):
    - Tools-> Options-> Web Features
    - Edit-> Preferences-> Web Features
• Save the settings and restart the browser.

• Go to the plugins sub-directory under the Netscape installation directory
      cd <Netscape installation directory>/plugins
• In the current directory, create a symbolic link to the JRE ns610/libjavaplugin_oji.so file Type:
      ln -s <JRE>/plugin/i386/ns610/libjavaplugin_oji.so .
  
      Example:
  • if Netscape is installed in this directory:
    /usr/lib/Netscape6/
  • and if the JRE is installed at this directory:
    /usr/java/j2re1.4.2_1
  • then type at the terminal to go to the browser plug-in directory:
    cd /usr/lib/Netscape6/plugins
  • enter this command to create a symbolic link to the Java Plug-in:
    ln -s /usr/java/j2re1.4.2_1/plugin/i386/ns610/libjavaplugin_oji.so .
• Start Mozilla/Netscape or restart it if it is already running. Note that if you have other Mozilla/Netscape components (ie: Messenger, Composer, etc) running, you will need to restart them as well.
• Go to Edit-> Preferences-> Advanced-> select Enable Java
• Save the settings and restart the browser.

• Go to the plugins sub-directory under the Mozilla installation directory
      cd <Mozilla installation directory>/base/plugins
• In the current directory, create a symbolic link to the SDK libjavaplugin_oji.so file Type:
      ln -s <SDK>/jre/bin/libjavaplugin_oji.so .
  
      Example:
  • if Mozilla is installed in this directory:
    /usr/mozilla/
  • and if the SDK is installed at this directory:
    /usr/java14
  • then type at the terminal to go to the browser plug-in directory:
    cd /usr/lib/mozilla/base/plugins
  • enter this command to create a symbolic link to the Java Plug-in:
    ln -s /usr/java14/jre/bin/libjavaplugin_oji.so .
• Start Mozilla or restart it if it is already running. Note that if you have other Mozilla components (ie: Messenger, Composer, etc) running, you will need to restart them as well.
• Check Enable Java (found under one of the following):
    - Tools-> Options-> Web Features
    - Edit-> Preferences-> Advanced
• Save the settings and restart the browser.

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Various versions of Windows included the Microsoft JVM before 2004. If you have the MS-JVM installed, you can configure IE to use it. Microsoft no longer offers the MS-JVM as a download.

• To configure, start IE and go to Tools-> Internet Options-> Advanced.
• The Microsoft VM section should be visible - be sure that JIT Compiler is enabled.
• If the Java (Sun) section is visible, uncheck Use JRE...
• Restart the browser. If Download Director does not load you probably don't have the MS-JVM. Install the Java plug-in to use Download Director.

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First, Javascript must be enabled to use Download Director.

Second, if you are using a popup blocker, the Download Director window may not appear when you click the download button. Set your browser's popup blocker to a "medium" level. If it still fails to appear, the popup blocker may need to be disabled.

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Java must be installed and enabled in your browser.

Due to network errors, Download Director sometimes doesn't load. Try closing and restarting your browser, then start Download Director again.

If you are using the Java Plug-in and are using a proxy or socks server for your browser, you must also use a proxy or socks server for the Java Plug-in.

• Go to the Windows Control Panel and double-click the Java Plug-in icon to open Java control panel.
• Go to the Proxies page (or on the General page-> Network Settings).
• Specify your proxy or socks server and press Enter after filling in each field.
• Click on OK or Apply.
• Restart your browser.

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Typically the Java security window will pop up when Download Director loads. It asks you to grant permission to run the applet. There are two reasons that this window may not pop up.

• You previously granted permission and indicated that permission is always granted. This is a normal behavior for the Java plug-in.
• You are using the IBM SDK, version 1.4.2, build level: ca1420-20040626. Because there's no security window, the download will not begin. To check the build level, run this command.
  [javapath]java -fullversion

  For Windows, you must install a newer version or build level of the IBM SDK.

  
  For AIX, you must install APAR IY66819 as described in How do I install the Java Plug-in?
  

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If you don't have the plug-in installed, follow the instructions in How do I install the Java Plug-in?.

If you have the plug-in installed, follow the instructions in How do I configure my browser to use the Java plug-in?.

If you are using Netscape 6.x and the above instructions fail, take these steps:

• Copy c:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.x\bin\NPOJI610.dll to C:\Program Files\Netscape\Netscape 6.2\Plugins
• Restart your browser and try again

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java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: com.ibm.tequila.dlmgr.DLmanager

If you are using proxy settings specified in the Java control panel, specify the No Proxy Host list in the Proxy panel of the Java control panel. For example, if you specified "proxy.xxx.xxx:80" for HTTP connection type, you need to specify "Secure, FTP, Gopher, Socks" in the No Proxy Host textfield since no proxy hosts information are specified for those connection types. Then, click on Apply. Restart your browser and try again.

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This message means that the profile cannot be saved due to insufficient privileges (or an invalid directory). Most Windows Vista (and some Windows XP) users have "Standard User" privileges which does not allow the creation of new directories and files in the default Download Director location. To get past this problem do one of the following:

• Specify a download location under your user folder (for Vista: C:\Users\USERNAME, for XP: C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME)
• Create and use a directory with access for either your user id or for "all users"

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Internet Explorer running under Windows Vista runs with "protect mode" set to "on" by default. This mode restricts access to the filesystem by applets running under older Java levels. Java level 1.6.0_10 or above is required to gain filesystem access with protect mode on.

You can also set "protect mode" to "off" to enable Download Director to work with any supported Java level.

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The Download Director unpack feature will not work for .zip and .gz files that are greater than 2GB (2,147,483,648 bytes) when unpacked. This is due to a limitation in the Java zip library. If you experience problems unpacking these files, use Windows explorer or use a 3rd party utility. If you still experience problems with these files, contact your product support team for help.