MBeans deprecated in favor of Pega API
Valid from Pega Version 8.1
The use of MBeans for cluster management has been deprecated, although MBeans will continue to function for legacy deployments. The recommended best practice for automating system management is to use the Pega API. For more information, see Pega API.
Upgrading to the secure threading mechanism for email bots
Valid from Pega Version 8.1
In Pega Platform™ version 8.6, Pega Email Bot™ includes a more secure threading mechanism to help track emails from customers and other stakeholders in separate threads for an email triage case.
Upgrade impact
If you upgrade from Pega Platform version 8.5 or earlier, in which you configured an Email channel, perform the following steps to ensure that your system uses the new secure threading mechanism:
- Update the service email rule that the system uses to send an email reply as the initial acknowledgment.
- Update the email reply template in the data transform rule that the system uses when a customer service representative (CSR) sends the reply.
For more information about creating an initial acknowledgment email and email reply template, see Creating outbound email templates. For more information about the secure threading mechanism, see Use a secure threading mechanism in emails.
What steps are required to update the application to be compatible with this change?
For the initial acknowledgment email used by your email bot, update the service method for your email listener rule. On the Response tab for this service email rule, expand the Message contents section. In the Message data section, you specify the rule that defines the structure of the content of the email body. In Pega Platform version 8.6, you use for this purpose the pyEmailAcknowledgement correspondence rule that takes into account the selected built-in template. This template includes the security code tag that the system uses for the secure threading mechanism. If your application uses a different rule in the Message data section, update this definition to match one of the built-in correspondence template rules, for example, EmailAckTemplate_Clear.
The pySetEmailBotReplyTemplate data transform rule sets the name of the email correspondence rule that the system uses as the email reply template. If you do not want to use the default approach using the Classic, Cobalt, or Clear outbound email template themes, override this data transform rule to set the email correspondence rule name for the Param.ReplyTemplate target in the Source column field.
For more information about how to update the service email rule and the data transform rule to ensure that your system uses the secure threading mechanism, see Upgrading to the threading mechanism available in the 8.6 version.
Naming pattern changed for file data sets
Valid from Pega Version 8.6.3
File data sets are used to import from and export data to a file repository. In case of data export, prior to version 8.6.3, the first file exported had the same file name that was provided by the user in the data set, and any subsequent file exported to the repository had a unique identifier appended to it. Starting in Pega Platform version 8.6.3, each file has a unique identifier, automatically generated based on the data flow node, thread ID, and timestamp.
Upgrade impact
If your process to consume output files expects files with a specific name, it may not be able to process the resulting files correctly.
What steps are required to update the application to be compatible with this change?
If you have configured the process before updating to Pega Platform version 8.6.3, but the exported files are no longer recognized by downstream processing logic after the upgrade, ensure that the downstream tool is configured to recognize the files by a pattern rather than the full name. For example, when referring to files exported to the repository, use the * character to indicate a pattern instead of using the full file name. For example, use Export*.csv to refer to the files.
Flow rules not supported in IE8
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
In versions prior to 7.1.2, flow rules do not open in Internet Explorer 8 (IE8). Upgrade your system to the latest version of PRPC or access flows from another supported browser.
Supported JDBC drivers
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
Pega 7.1.1 supports Java 6 and Java 7 SDKs only. Ensure that the JDBC driver you are using supports those versions of Java. See your database installation or upgrade documentation for additional information.
Database | Java 6 | Java 7 |
---|---|---|
Oracle | ojdbc6.jar | ojdbc7.jar |
MSQL | sqljdbc4.jar | sqljdbc4.jar |
DB2 LUW | db2jcc4.jar | db2jcc4.jar |
DB2 z/OS* | db2jcc4.jar or jdb2jcc.jar** | db2jcc4.jar |
PostgreSQL | postgresql-9.1-903.jdbc4.jar*** | postgresql-9.1-903.jdbc4.jar |
* JDBC drivers are only available from the DB2 for z/OS product. Additionally, you need db2jcc_license_cisuz.jar in the same directory as db2jcc4.jar.
** The db2jcc.jar has been deprecated and may not be supported in future releases.
*** This .jar file is required for PostgreSQL version 9.1.x.
Turn off saved connections in WebLogic
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
PRPC caches connections in thread-local storage. When using a WebLogic application server, set database/savedconnections to FALSE to avoid incorrectly saved, container-managed transactions. You can make this update through JNDI settings or by adding an entry to the prconfig.xml, for example:
<env name="database/savedconnections" value="false" />
Remove JVM settings from prior installations
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
JVM memory settings defined in the setupDatabase.properties file to support a prior installation need to be removed.
Memory settings are now handled by the installation program. Duplicating these settings may cause installation or upgrade failures.
Automated Unit Testing is unavailable
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
Automated Unit Testing (AUT) is unavailable in 7.1.1 - 7.1.5.
Starting in 7.1.6, users can access AUT features from supported browser versions of IE.
Privilege required for Recent Explorer
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
Users with custom roles defined must add the pxUpdateRecents privilege to see work in the Recent Items Explorer.
Deprecated end user portals
Valid from Pega Version 7.1.1
The following portals are no longer be supported:
- SysAdmDD
- WorkUserDD
- WorkManagerDD
As a best practice, customize standard, supported portals rather than update your existing portals to include new features.