Why is MQ failing with "Error: Port Library failed to initialize: -125" after upgrading on AIX?
This error message appears after applying MQ maintenance, for example putting on fix pack 8.0.0.2, whenever I run a Java or JMS application or try to run any MQ Managed File Transfer Command (e.g. "fteDisplayVersion"):
Error: Port Library failed to initialize: -125
Error: Could not create the Java Virtual Machine.
Error: A fatal exception has occurred. Program will exit.
This error can occur on AIX 7.1 systems which are missing APAR IV09585 or AIX 6.1 systems which are missing APAR IV03746. Although the APAR descriptions talks about a system crash at ha_critical_halt_system(), they also includes a patch to the proc_setattr() call. Recent MQ fix packs such as 8.0.0.2 ship later versions of the IBM Java runtime environment for AIX which make internal use of the proc_setattr() call, and on unpatched AIX systems the resulting failure can prevent the Java runtime from starting with the "Port Library failed to initialize" message.
Patch your AIX system to clear up the problem. You can confirm the patch is installed by checking the appropriate APAR for your AIX 7.1 or AIX 6.1 system. For example:
AIX7.1> instfix -ivqk IV09585
IV03746 Abstract: System crash @ ha_critical_halt_system+0000BC
Fileset bos.mp64:6.1.7.15 is applied on the system.
AIX6.1> instfix -ivqk IV03746
IV09585 Abstract: System crash @ ha_critical_halt_system+0000BC
Fileset bos.mp64:7.1.1.15 is applied on the system.