Plumtree Portal Startup Error

Question

Hi All,
I am trying to install the WCI on Win Server 2003.
I followed the step-by-step installation guide provided by Oracle on http://download-llnw.oracle.com/docs/cd/E13158_01/alui/wci/docs103/map_wci_win_installguide_10-3/. However, we came across this problem where the portal can't be started after completing the installation and configuration.
The configuration manager is able to run, but not the portal.
The startup error log is as follows:
Diagnostic system initialization OK.
Portal Startup begins: 15 total tasks.
Recommendations follow:
PortalObjectsFactory Initialization Failure (Java)
RECOMMENDATION: Review the exception listed below for details. Since
OpenKernel initialized correctly, this usually means that the
portal database is not scripted or properly configured, or there
is an installation problem related to JAR files. This may also
mean the search libraries are not on your PATH or
LD_LIBRARY_PATH. Try running ptverify.
More Detail:
OpenKernel configuration failure. This usually means INVALID
DATABASE SETTINGS. Run ptconfig to verify your database connection.
If this fails, check the web application server user's access rights
to the file system. Finally, verify the XML settings files are not
corrupt.
recommendation: RECOMMENDATION: Review the exception listed below for
details. Since OpenKernel initialized correctly, this usually
means that the portal database is not scripted or properly
configured, or there is an installation problem related to JAR
files. This may also mean the search libraries are not on your
OpenKernel configuration failure. This usually means INVALID
DATABASE SETTINGS. Run ptconfig to verify your database
connection. If this fails, check the web application server
user's access rights to the file system. Finally, verify the
message: Error opening database connection to:
jdbc:plumtree:oracle://kldev-vmwci:7001;SID=PLUM10;user=plumtree;password=;BatchPerformanceWorkaround=true,
exception: [plumtree][Oracle JDBC Driver]Error establishing
socket to host and port: kldev-vmwci:7001. Reason: Connection
secondary exception: at
======= Diagnostic Run Complete =======
ERROR: OpenKernel configuration failure. This usually means INVALID
DATABASE SETTINGS. Run ptconfig to verify your database connection.
If this fails, check the web application server user's access rights
to the file system. Finally, verify the XML settings files are not
corrupt.
Recommendation:
OpenKernel configuration failure. This usually means INVALID
DATABASE SETTINGS. Run ptconfig to verify your database connection.
If this fails, check the web application server user's access rights
to the file system. Finally, verify the XML settings files are not
corrupt.
Startup completion percentage: 10% (5 steps out of 50 complete)
FYI, we had been uninstalling and re-installing several times, but the same problems occured. So, does any of you faced this kind of error before?
Your views and opinions are very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Looks like this a Java portal... this error is usually caused by an invalid path or similar problem with environment variables. Since ptverify works, this is even more likely. I would make sure you've followed the preinstall steps. The problem is probably somehow related to you needing to:
1.) Set the PT_HOME environment variable.
2.) Add it to your PATH.
3.) Make sure the application server (Weblogic?) is set up to properly use the above variables (is the user it is running as set up to have above, etc). I would add some echo statements to your application server bat files if you are unsure if these variables are set or what they are.
4.) Some other environment variable is necessary (i.e. does LD_LIBRARY_PATH contain the /lib/java directory).
Most of this should be done by the install, but when you are setting up the application server you may need to check this (or if you have reinstalled, run as a different user, etc, this may be different).
I realize that's kind of vague but this type of error can be harder to diagnose, plus its been a while since I've done a Windows install. Hope this helps...
Ross