Installing GlassFish JST Server Adapter on Eclipse IDE / SpringSource Tool Suite

Installing the GlassFish JST (Java EE Toolkit) Server Adapter on Eclipse IDE / SpringSource Tool Suite seemed to be problematic as can be searched all over the web. I've found a great solution.

Oracle GlassFish aka Sun Application Server is an open source Java EE 6 container, bundled in a complete NetBeans download. By installing the Eclipse Plugin, you can use the full features of GlassFish Java EE 6 server administration and management within your Eclipse IDE.

Problem Details

Here's a log of the Eclipse error messages generated during GlassFish JST Server Adapter installation:

– Error Details –
Date: Sat Mar 13 07:34:18 WIT 2010
Message: An error occurred during the org.eclipse.equinox.internal.provisional.p2.engine.phases.CheckTrust phase.
Severity: Error
Product: SpringSource Tool Suite 2.3.1.201003091003-RELEASE (com.springsource.sts.ide)
Plugin: org.eclipse.equinox.p2.engine
Session Data:
eclipse.buildId=2.3.1.201003091003-RELEASE
java.version=1.6.0_15
java.vendor=Sun Microsystems Inc.
BootLoader constants: OS=linux, ARCH=x86, WS=gtk, NL=en_US
Framework arguments: -product com.springsource.sts.ide
Command-line arguments: -os linux -ws gtk -arch x86 -product com.springsource.sts.ide

– Error Details –
Date: Sat Mar 13 07:34:18 WIT 2010
Message: Failed to prepare partial IU: [R]com.sun.enterprise.jst.server.sunappsrv 1.0.52.
Severity: Error
Product: SpringSource Tool Suite 2.3.1.201003091003-RELEASE (com.springsource.sts.ide)
Plugin: org.eclipse.equinox.p2.touchpoint.eclipse

– Error Details –
Date: Sat Mar 13 07:34:18 WIT 2010
Message: session context was:(profile=com.springsource.sts.ide, phase=org.eclipse.equinox.internal.provisional.p2.engine.phases.CheckTrust, operand=null --> [R]com.sun.enterprise.jst.server.sunappsrv 1.0.52, action=).
Severity: Error
Product: SpringSource Tool Suite 2.3.1.201003091003-RELEASE (com.springsource.sts.ide)
Plugin: org.eclipse.equinox.p2.engine

I tried a supposed workaround of adding the GlassFish Eclipse Update Site (https://ajax.dev.java.net/eclipse) but this didn't work for me. Exact same error.

Working Workaround

The workaround is to download the GlassFish Plugin JARs manually from GlassFish Eclipse Plugin Download page. You need to download two JARs, a feature JAR and a plugin JAR.

Installation is easy, but you must know how to properly install plugins manually. Do not blindly copy them to Eclipse plugins and features folder!

1. Navigate to your Eclipse IDE / SpringSource Tool Suite dropins folder using your OS' File Explorer.
2. Create a folder named glassfish-jst-adapter . (this is not mandatory but it makes it easier if you need to remove this plugin later). Navigate into this folder.
3. Create a folder named features and copy the feature JAR into it e.g. com.sun.enterprise.jst.server.sunappsrv.feature_1.0.51.jar
   Hint: it's the JAR with smaller file size.
4. Create a folder named plugins and copy the plugin JAR into it e.g. com.sun.enterprise.jst.server.sunappsrv_1.0.51.jar
   Hint: it's the JAR around 17 MB in size.

Restart Eclipse IDE / SpringSource Tool Suite and you should be able to use GlassFish Server Adapter / Plugin just fine. :-)

A great resource on Java EE 6 and GlassFish is the book
Beginning Java EE 6 Platform with GlassFish 3: From Novice to Professional. Check it out now.

See also: Eclipse bug #280365 and my bug report on SpringSource Tool Suite STS-865.