Gen remote Build Tool server connection issues
search cancel

Gen remote Build Tool server connection issues

book

Article ID: 45530

calendar_today

Updated On: 08-02-2023

Products

Gen Gen - Workstation Toolset

Issue/Introduction

When launching the Gen Build Tool client on Windows and attempting to connect to a remote Unix/Linux Build Tool server, receive the error message:

Remote host (<hostname>) is not available

Resolution

The cause of the error can be primarily one or more of these reasons:

1.  The hostname was incorrectly specified.

This is self-explanatory. Make sure to specify the correct hostname or IP address for the Build Tool server.  Consider using the 'ping' command to confirm the remote server is available.

2.  The userid and/or Password for the specified hostname is incorrect.

Again, this is self-explanatory.  Note that any valid UserID and Password combination for the specified Hostname should work.  Do not use a 'root' Userid.

3.  The specified port number for the target Build Tool server is invalid.

The default port number for the Build Tool server is 7776.  If no parameter '-i xxxx' is specified when manually starting the Build Tool server or the S99bldtool script port setting is not modified, the default is used. 

For example:  If the Build Tool server process was started manually on a Unix/Linux server with command:
$IEFH/bt/bldtool -c SERVER -i 1234

The port will be 1234, rather than the default of 7776.

4.  The Build Tool server process may not be started on the remote Unix/Linux server.

To start the Build Tool server on the Unix/Linux server either use the script S99bldtool or the manual command line.

For the script method, it can be started at boot time by adding the S99bldtool script to the /etc/rc3.d directory on Unix and /etc/rc.d directory on Linux or by adding this script to the cron table.  

For the manual method, enter the command:
$IEFH/bt/bldtool -c SERVER [-i <port>]

Check if the Build Tool server is running by entering the following ps command:
# ps -ef | grep java

Since the Build Tool server is a 'java' based process, if it is running, it will return a process similar to the following for userid gen86 that started the BT server:
gen86    11001     1  0 00:50 pts/0    00:00:00 /opt/CA/CAGen/runtime/bt/jre/bin/java -Duser.iefh=/opt/CA/CAGen/runtime -Duser.platform=IEF_LINUX -Duser.jre=/opt/CA/CAGen/runtime/bt/jre -Duser.home=/home/gen86 -jar /opt/CA/CAGen/runtime/bt/bt.ui.jar -c server -p 7776

Note: That is an example with the default 7776 port was used, meaning no '-i xxxx' parameter was specified.

Alternatively, use commands netstat or lsof to check for the listening port 7776 e.g.
# netstat -nap|grep 7776
tcp        0      0 0.0.0.0:7776            0.0.0.0:*               LISTEN      11001/java

#
lsof |grep 7776
java      11001                gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)

java      11001 11002          gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)
java      11001 11003          gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)
java      11001 11004          gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)
java      11001 11005          gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)
java      11001 11006          gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)
java      11001 11007          gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)
java      11001 11008          gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)
java      11001 11009          gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)
java      11001 11010          gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)
java      11001 11011          gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)
java      11001 11012          gen86   15u     IPv4              90508       0t0        TCP *:7776 (LISTEN)


5.  The FTP process is not running on the remote Unix/Linux server.

The FTP server on UNIX/Linux is used to confirm the UserID and Password specified for remote UNIX/Linux Build Tool server sessions. Ensure that the FTP daemon is running on the UNIX/Linux platform where the remote Build Tool server is running.
To check to see if the FTP process is running on the Build Tool server, check with the netstat command:
# netstat -nap|grep 21
tcp6       0      0 :::21                   :::*                    LISTEN      5622/vsftpd

If it is not running, contact your Unix/Linux system administrator to configure and start the FTP daemon.


6. The remote Unix/Linux server was running SFTP (Secured FTP) opposed to FTP.   

The Build Tool remote connection only supports FTP (port 21) and not SFTP (port 22) at this time.  If using SFTP, check with your Unix/Linux administrator to see if FTP can be configured.  For Gen 8.5 and 8.6, only FTP can be used.  An enhancement request has been submitted to allow for SFTP for future releases of Gen.


7. Check the firewalls on both Build Tool server and client allow successful TCP/IP connections.

Enable the Windows Telnet Client feature on the client using "Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features" and "Turn Windows Features on or off".
From a command prompt test that the connections to the Build Tool server listening port and the FTP port 21 are successful using telnet commands:
telnet bt_server_hostname 7776
telnet bt_server_hostname 21

a. If the connection is successful the command prompt will clear and then need to use key sequence 'CTRL ]' to get this text displayed:
===
Welcome to Microsoft Telnet Client

Escape Character is 'CTRL+]'


Microsoft Telnet>
===
Then use q to quit.
b. If the connection does not complete this error will be received:
Connecting To bt_server_hostname...Could not open connection to the host, on port 7776: Connect failed

8. Ensure that both BT client and server are at the same/latest Build Tool maintenance/PTF level

Gen 8.6 Solutions & Patches

 

Additional Information

Relevant documentation: Gen™ 8.6 > Developing > Working with Build Tool
Gen 8.5 reached End Of service on June 30, 2021 and the last updated documentation is available in PDF format: https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/ca-mainframe-software/devops/ca-gen/8-5.html

Related article: Gen Build Tool (BT) client/server build request connection