I need to update several machines with the latest Java VM from Sun.

The process is somewhat daunting. Is there an easier way, are you going to provide an RPM, or some other more understandable method than is outlined on the Java VM site?

Because of licensing restrictions, we can't distribute java. However if you have dag's repository enabled, you can install it via rpm from there, or you can rebuild the jpackage nosrc.rpm for java and install that on the machines.

Sorry, very new to this.

What is dag's repository, and how do I enable it?

thanks

dag's repository is a 3rd party repository designed to work with rhel/centos and fedora.
you will only need to use the config info on his site for enterprise, and the url can be found here ->
http://dag.wieers.com/home-made/apt/FAQ.php#B4

OK, did that. However, DAG said my system is up to date, and yet my Java VM is not. I went to http://www.java.com tested, and said I need to update. The install and update steps there either are not all inclusive, or I cannot read, they seem to work, but again my Java is not up to date. I need this for an internal site that wants a newer version that is distributed. This really should be easier.

It should be, I agree. However software licensing prohibits distribution of java without express permission, signing the rights to your first born over in blood, etc.
To get a NEWER java, you can download the jdk rpm from java.sun.com, and install it, along with the compatibility rpm from jpackage available here -> http://jpackage.org/rpm.php?id=2983

The sun rpm basically just vomits files into /usr/java/ and expects you to set up the environment, create links, use the alternatives framework etc. the jpackage sun-java-compat rpm does this for you, simplifying the process.

Tried all of that; same end result, appears to work, but still Sun claims my Java VM is not updated.

I give up, at least for today. TGIF.

OK, finally.

It has been partially user error, and I think somewhat incomplete instructions.

The ln -s part of the instructions. The . is significant at the end of the command for one thing. Funny, did not get an error when I did not type a .

Also, I had to link it to each version of mozilla that I had in the /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins

I have 1.7.12, so I figured that was all that was necessary.

Thanks for putitng up with my running dialogue. Now I need to brush up on Shell scripting to see if I can automate this somehow.