This information applies to Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 and later. New installations include a custom-packaged version of OpenJDK Java SE JRE 21.0.3. This custom package was tested and optimized to run with the Java 21 Runtime Environment (JRE).
With Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 and later, we started transitioning to Java 21. We're using a phased-in approach that aims to leverage various Java 21 benefits, integrate the latest Java Long-Term Support (LTS) versions, and avoid breaking changes in future updates.
The ultimate goal is to recompile Wowza Streaming Engine using Java 21 and to update all relevant third-party dependencies to their latest versions, providing enhanced security, compatibility, and reliability.
Wowza Streaming Engine 4.9.0 and later Java features
Wowza Streaming Engine 4.9.0 and later is officially certified, thoroughly tested, and optimized to run seamlessly with the Java 21 JRE. You get the following Java features:
- Installer details – Wowza Streaming Engine 4.9.0 and later is compiled using Java 17 (OpenJDK Java SE JRE 17.0.12), but new installations include a JRE for Java 21 (OpenJDK Java SE JRE 21.0.3). You can roll back to Java 17 if needed. Older Java versions (16 and below) are no longer supported and cannot be used with Wowza Streaming Engine 4.9.0 and later.
- Updater details – When using the updater for Wowza Streaming Engine 4.9.0 and later, we verify that the Java 21 Virtual Machine (JVM) is present before completing the upgrade. If Java 21 isn't detected on the machine, the update is canceled with a message containing recommended steps. If you need a new version of Java, the updater includes JRE 21 with instructions explaining how to copy it from the root of the installer to the Wowza Streaming Engine installation folder. When you're updating to Wowza Streaming Engine 4.9.0 and later from a base installation of Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 or earlier, check these considerations.
- Supported Java versions – If you prefer, you can manually install a different Java version. We support Java versions 17 or 21 with Wowza Streaming Engine 4.9.0 and later.
Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 Java features
Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 is officially certified, thoroughly tested, and optimized to run seamlessly with the Java 21 JRE. You get the following Java features:
- Installer details – Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 is compiled using Java 11 (OpenJDK Java SE JRE 11.0.2), but new installations include a JRE for Java 21 (OpenJDK Java SE JRE 21.0.3). You can roll back to Java 11 if needed.
- Updater details – When using the Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 updater, we respect the same JRE included with your original installation for Java 11 (OpenJDK Java SE JRE 11.0.2). When you're updating to Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 from a base installation of Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.27 or earlier, check these considerations.
- Supported Java versions – If you prefer, you can manually install a different Java version. We support Java versions 11, 12, or 21 with Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28.
While we tested Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 and later to run with the Java 21 Runtime Environment (JRE), we didn't recompile it using Java Development Kit (JDK) 21. If you build a custom module using Java 21, it may not work with Wowza Streaming Engine if your source code includes Java 21 features.
Note: New installations of Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 and later deliver generational support for the Z Garbage Collector (ZGC). To use Java 21 with Generational ZGC on Windows, you must be running a 64-bit version of Windows 10 (version 1803 or later) or Windows Server 2019 or later. You also need a 64-bit JVM.
If your Wowza Streaming Engine workflow uses custom modules or plugins, we suggest testing them with Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 and later in a non-production environment before updating your media server software. The following Java modules are included with the JRE and installer for Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 and later:
- java.base
- java.datatransfer
- java.desktop
- java.instrument
- java.logging
- java.management
- java.management.rmi
- java.naming
- java.prefs
- java.rmi
- java.scripting
- java.scripting.jgss
- java.security.sasl
- java.sql
- java.transaction.xa
- java.xml
- jdk.crypto.cryptoki
- jdk.crypto.ec
- jdk.httpserver
- jdk.management
- jdk.management.agent
- jdk.naming.rmi
- jdk.unsupported
- jdk.xml.dom
- jdk.attach (available with Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 and later)
- jdk.internal.jvmstat (available with Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 and later)
- jdk.jcmd (available with Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 and later)
- jdk.jfr (available with Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 and later)
- java.net.http (available with Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 and later)
If you have other dependencies, you must install a Java 11 JRE or JDK for Wowza Streaming Engine 4.8.28 or a Java 17 JRE or JDK for Wowza Streaming Engine 4.9.0 (and later) that includes these dependencies. For more information, see Manually install and troubleshoot Java on Wowza Streaming Engine.
