[TechNote] How can I utilize the new JDBC driver template for Sybase JDBC type 4 in WebSphere Application Server v8

How can I utilize the new JDBC driver template for Sybase JDBC type 4 in WebSphere Application Server v8

Question

How can I utilize the new JDBC driver template for Sybase JDBC type 4 in WebSphere Application Server v8?

Cause

Starting from fix pack 1 of WebSphere Application Server v8.0, Sybase JDBC 4 driver (also known as Sybase jConnect 7.0 driver) is supported, and the definition of it has been added to jdbc-resource-provider-templates.xml under as follows:
<!-- Sybase jConnect 7.0 Driver Templates -->
<resources.jdbc:JDBCProvider xmi:id="JDBCProvider_Sybase_7"
name="Sybase JDBC 4 Driver" providerType="Sybase JDBC 4 Driver"
description="minVer 8.0 - maxVer null - Sybase JDBC 4 Driver. This
provider is only configurable in version 8.0 and later nodes"
implementationClassName="com.sybase.jdbc4.jdbc.SybConnectionPoolDataSour
ce" xa="false">
<classpath>${SYBASE_JDBC_DRIVER_PATH}/jconn4.jar</classpath>

After applying fixpack 8.0.0.1, new profiles will have the Sybase JDBC 4 driver ability, which means you will be able to create data sources using this driver; however, for existing profiles which were created before applying the fixpack, this driver is not available.

Answer

With existing profiles created at 8.0.0.0, to have the Sybase JDBC 4 driver, follow these steps:

1. Stop dmgr, node agents and all running servers;
   
2. Back up the jdbc-resource-provider-templates.xml files under following directories:
   <Dmgr_profile_root>/config/templates/system
   <Appserver_profile_root>/config/templates/system
   
3. Manually copy the jdbc-resource-provider-templates.xml under
   <AppServer_root>/profileTemplates/cell/dmgr/documents/config/templates/system directory, which is updated after the upgrade to fixpack 8.0.0.1 or above, to replace the ones identified in step 2.
   
4. Restart the dmgr, node agents and application servers.