How to setup x86_64 plugins for Firefox on Centos 5
CentOS x86_64 ships with a 64-bit version of Firefox, but finding and configuring plugins can be problematic. Many people still prefer and recommend using the 32 bit version of the browser and plugins on x86_64; however, x86_64 support has improved and this page will hopefully help if one wants to go 64-bit. This page will describe how to install and configure Adobe Flash and Java plugins.
Note: CentOS 5.5 ships with java-1.6.0-openjdk-1.6.0.0 but the x86_64 java-1.6.0-openjdk-plugin package is missing.
These steps (except for the downloads) must be run as root.
Step 1: Set up the RPMforge repo
The Wiki article AdditionalResources/Repositories describes how to configure RPMforge. Please note the warnings there, and read and follow the Wiki document Priorities to set up the yum-priorities plugin when using third party repositories.
Step 2: Set up the x86_64 flash plugin
Adobe describes the plugin as Alpha but it is known to work on various Linux systems. See the Adobe 64-bit web page. The following will install an RPM package containing the plugin.
yum remove flash-plugin nspluginwrapper* yum install flash-plugin
It has been reported that it may be necessary, particularly on minimal installs, to install the "Sound and Video" group to get flash to work properly.
yum groupinstall "Sound and Video"
Step 3: Set up x86_64 Java runtime and plugin
Download the Sun jre "Linux X64 RPM", cd to the download directory, install, and configure.
sh ./jre-6u21-linux-x64-rpm.bin alternatives --install /usr/bin/java java /usr/java/jre1.6.0_21/bin/java 2 alternatives --config java
The final step above depends on what other java alternatives you may have installed. Pick "/usr/java/jre1.6.0_21/bin/java".
cd /usr/lib64/mozilla/plugins ln -fs /usr/java/jre1.6.0_21/lib/amd64/libnpjp2.so
Step 4: Test Java runtime and Flash plugin
java -version
Should return the Java version.
Java and flash plugins should now be working. Exit Firefox if it is running and [re]start Firefox.
Type "about:plugins" in the URL field. It should show Java and Flash enabled.
Go to http://www.javatester.org/ or to http://java.com/en/download/installed.jsp to test Java.
Go to http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/ or to http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/155/tn_15507.html to test Flash.
The use of the Flashblock Add-on is often recommended.
This page created and maintained by PhilSchaffner. Other Wiki contributors are invited to make corrections, additions, or modifications.
