[TechNote] How to clear the WebSphere class caches

How to clear the WebSphere class caches

Problem(Abstract)

Instructions on clearing the java class caches in IBM WebSphere Application Server. Both the JVM's shared class cache and WebSphere Application Server's OSGi class cache.

Resolving the problem

IBM Support may ask you to clear the class cache. There are several reasons for this. After an upgrade, it is possible that the class cache's are still holding onto previous versions of classes. It is also possible that the caches became corrupted.

Please remember there are two caches that will need to be cleared, the JVM's cache and the OSGi cache. The server has to be stopped before clearing the cache.

To clear the OSGi class cache:

For UNIX platforms, run the following script in each profile:
<WebSphere_HOME>/profiles/profile_name/bin/osgiCfgInit.sh

For Windows platforms, run the following script in each profile:
<WebSphere_HOME>\profiles\profile_name\bin\osgiCfgInit.bat

To clear the JVM's class cache (Windows, Linux and AIX only) :

For UNIX platforms, run the following script:
<WebSphere_HOME>/bin/clearClassCache.sh

For Windows platforms, run the following script:
<WebSphere_HOME>\bin\clearClassCache.bat

And clear the following directory contents:
<WinUsers_home>\Local Settings\ApplicationData\javasharedresources\

where WinUsers_home is either C:\Documents and Settings\DefaultUser OR C:\Users depending on your current version of Windows.