1. Download jre-6u18-linux-x64.bin (example) from Java.Sun.com to /usr/java 2. sh jre-6u18-linux-x64.bin 3.alternatives --install /usr/bin/java java /usr/java/jre1.6.0_18/bin/java 2 alternatives --config java There are 3 programs which provide 'java'. Selection Command ----------------------------------------------- *+ 1 /usr/lib/jvm/jre-1.4.2-gcj/bin/java 2 /opt/jdk1.6.0_07/bin/java 3 /usr/java/jre1.6.0_18/bin/java Enter to keep the current selection , or type selection number: 3 4. Check Instalation # java -version java version 1.6.0_18 Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_18-b07) Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 16.0-b13, mixed mode)