IT40914: IBM SPECTRUM PROTECT PLUS LOGIN PAGE FOR USERS USING MOZILLA FIREFOX BROWSERS DISPLAYS A WARNING MESSAGE

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• When the Mozilla Firefox browser version uses 3 digits instead
  of 2 digits as for the previous versions,
  IBM Spectrum Protect Plus does not display the login user and
  password fields and therefore prevents users from accessing
  the GUI.
  For example, if the Mozilla Firefox browser is at version 100,
  the following message is presented :
  
    IBM Spectrum Protect Plus
    You are using Firefox, version: 100.0
    Please use one of the following supported browsers:
    Firefox: 55.0.3
    Google Chrome: 60.0.3112
    Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML): 15.15063
  
  IBM Spectrum Protect Plus Versions Affected:
  IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.x
  
  Additional Keywords: SPP, SPPLUS, TS009301321, IT40632
  

Local fix

• To be able to launch IBM Spectrum Protect Plus in Edge browser:
  1. In the browser, type 'about:config' in the address bar and
     press Enter.
  2. Click 'Accept the Risk and Continue' to go to the
     'about:config' page.
  3. Search for the 'network.http.useragent.forceVersion'
     preference.
  4. Set the value for that preference to 99 and save it.
  5. Restart Firefox.
  
  Some newer versions of Firefox no longer supports the
  'network.http.useragent.forceVersion' preference, which
  prohibits the above local fix.
  In order to access the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus User Interface,
  Firefox must be downgraded and the above local fix should be
  applied.
  Otherwise, another compatible browser (such as a compatible
  version of Edge or Chrome) should be used and the corresponding
  local fix for that browser should be applied.
  

Problem summary

• ****************************************************************
  * USERS AFFECTED:                                              *
  * IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.x.                            *
  ****************************************************************
  * PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:                                         *
  * See ERROR DESCRIPTION                                        *
  ****************************************************************
  * RECOMMENDATION:                                              *
  * Apply fixing level when available. This problem is currently *
  * projected to be fixed in IBM Spectrum Protect Plus levels    *
  * 10.1.10.2 and 10.1.11. Note that this is subject to change   *
  * at the discretion of IBM.                                    *
  ****************************************************************
  

Problem conclusion

• Newer versions of Firefox browser report versions in a different
  format which breaks the browser version check. In most cases,
  even when the IBM Spectrum Protect Plus User Interface is not
  usable due to browser incompatibility, the IBM Spectrum Protect
  Administrative Console will still be usable, allowing a user to
  upgrade their version of IBM Spectrum Protect Plus.
  IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.10.2 or later level resolve
  permanently this browser incompatibility issue. Beginning with
  this level IBM Spectrum Protect Plus UI has been enhanced to
  perform version checks in a different and more robust manner.
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Modules/Macros

• Platform UI
  

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  SP PLUS

• Fixed component ID

  5737SPLUS

Applicable component levels