Installing Java to work with IP-KVM (jnlp files)

Some IP-KVM consoles open through a Java application that is launched from a .jnlp file. You download this file from the web interface of your server's IP-KVM, and it starts the remote console through Java Web Start.

Java Web Start was included in Java 8 and was removed from Oracle Java starting with Java 11. Versions 11 and later do not include the Java Web Start launcher required to run these JNLP applications, so you need Java 8 for this type of IP-KVM console.

This guide describes the setup on Windows. The IP-KVM Java client requires the 32-bit build of Java 8, so install that build.

What you need

• A Windows computer with administrator rights to install software.
• The 32-bit build of Oracle Java 8.
• Access to the IP-KVM web interface of your server.

Downloading Java

Open the Java download page. This page lists the installers for every operating system.

For Windows, choose "Windows Offline", which is the 32-bit installer. Do not choose "Windows Offline (64-bit)". Save the installer to your computer.

Installing Java

Run the installer you downloaded. In the "Java Setup - Welcome" window, click "Install", then click "Next" where offered. Wait for the installation to finish and close the installer.

Verifying the installation

Open "Control Panel" and switch the view to "Small icons". An item named "Java (32-bit)" should appear in the list. This confirms that the 32-bit build is installed. You use the Java Control Panel to apply the security settings described in the related articles.

Opening the KVM console

Log in to the IP-KVM web interface of your server and start the remote console. The interface downloads a .jnlp file. Open this file to launch the console through Java.

If Java displays a security warning, confirm that you want to run the application. You may also see a warning that the connection is untrusted, because the IP-KVM uses a self-signed certificate. Continue past this warning to reach the console.

If the console does not start

If the console viewer does not start, or it crashes when you mount a disk image, first confirm that you installed the 32-bit build of Java 8. If the problem continues, check the cases below.

If Java blocks the application with an "Application Blocked" message, add the KVM address to the Java exception list. This is described in the article Adding IP-KVM to the list of Java-supported resources.

If an error appears about the connection or the security algorithms, edit the Java security file as described in the article Error connecting to IP-KVM Console.

For a full walkthrough of connecting to the console on a Dell server, see Connecting to iDRAC KVM.