Getting Java Null pointer exception for loading or creating Project in DevTest Portal

Products

• CA Application Test
• CA Continuous Application Insight (PathFinder)

Issue/Introduction

Facing Java null pointer exception while loading or creating a project in Dev Test portal.
Actual error: Exception caught when create project: Error 500 - java.lang.NullPointerException

Cause

This issue happens when the default project location for Portal Projects has been changed in res-hub-config.properties file in the server using resHub.projects.dir property.

Sometimes this location is pointed to a network location is not accessible. Also it happens that portal is running as a service and the account that has started this service is not able to access the project location. You can verify this by starting the Portal as an application.

Environment

Release: Devtest 10.6 & up
Component:

Resolution

1. Make sure the location of project directory has escaped \. For example:

\\\\abc.com\\def\\ghi\\

2. Also make sure that the service account starting this service has read/write access to the network project director

Taking care of above two points would resolve the issue in loading or creating projects in DevTest Portal.