Steps to upgrade Java on a Linux Server.

1. Go to the “/usr/local/src/” directory.

   cd /usr/local/src/

2. Download the latest package[rpm]

   from the following page using “wget”.
   http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp#lin

3. Install the rpm.

   [root@vm src]# rpm -Uvh jre-7u7-linux-x64.rpm
Preparing... ########################################### [100%]
package jre-1.7.0_07-fcs.x86_64 is installed
[root@vm src]#

4. Update the “symbolic links”

   using the following commands.
   [root@vm src]# update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/java java /usr/java/jre1.7.0_07/bin/java 3
[root@vm src]# alternatives --config java

   There are 3 programs which provide 'java'.

   Selection Command
   -----------------------------------------------
   *+ 1 /usr/lib/jvm/jre-1.6.0-openjdk.x86_64/bin/java
   2 /usr/lib/jvm/jre-1.4.2-gcj/bin/java
   3 /usr/java/jre1.7.0_07/bin/java

   Enter to keep the current selection[+], or type selection number: 3
[root@vm src]#

5. Verify the Java version

   [root@vm src]# java -version
java version "1.7.0_07"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_07-b10)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 23.3-b01, mixed mode)