JCPs and JWPs crash with a 'java.lang.NullPointerException' error message

Issue/Introduction:

Error Message :
U00045025 OSGI ['org.eclipse.equinox.ds']: '[SCR] Exception while activating instance [email protected] of component com.automic.kernel.impl.ServerProcess '
U00045014 Exception 'java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException: "null"' at 'sun.reflect.NativeMethodAccessorImpl.invoke0()'.
U00045015 The previous error was caused by 'java.lang.NullPointerException: "null"' at 'com.automic.kernel.impl.ServerOptionsImpl.():22'.
U00003620 Routine 'com.automic.kernel.osgi.LogBridgeComponent' forces trace because of error.

The Java Communication Process (JCP) and the Java Worker Process (JWP) fail to start in version 12.1.1 HF2.

They write the above error messages, then write a forced trace, and crash.

Investigation

Run the following statement against the Automation Engine's database :

SELECT OVW_Value1
FROM OVW
WHERE OVW_OH_Idnr=508
AND OVW_VValue='SERVER_OPTIONS';

Results

Expected : it should return an actual value, like 'NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN'

Actual : it returns (NULL)

Cause:

Cause type:
Defect
Root Cause: If some key in UC_SYSTEM_SETTINGS contains a (NULL) value, JCPs and JWPs immediately crash.

Environment:

Release: AUTWAB99000-12.0-Automic Workload Automation-Base Edition
Component:

Resolution:

Update to a fix version listed below or a newer version if available.

Fix Status: Fixed

Fix Version(s):
Component(s) : AutomationEngine Server & InitialData

Automation Engine 12.2.0 - Available
Automation Engine 12.1.2 - Available

Additional Information:

Workaround :

Use a SQL statement like below to force the value of SERVER_OPTIONS to a valid one :

UPDATE OVW SET OVW_Value1 ='NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN' WHERE OVW_OH_idnr=508 AND OVW_VValue='SERVER_OPTIONS';