Download the latest Linux RPM (self-extracting file), currently jre-7u15-linux-i586.rpm, from java.com then as root install and configure the alternatives system and plugins:

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rpm -Uvh jre-7u15-linux-i586.rpm
alternatives --config java

There are 2 programs which provide ‘java’.

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  Selection    Command

*+ 1           /usr/lib/jvm/jre-1.6.0-openjdk/bin/java
   2           /usr/lib/jvm/jre-1.5.0-gcj/bin/java

Enter to keep the current selection[+], or type selection number:

Note use number of versions, N, For example, if 2 versions were installed then:

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alternatives --install /usr/bin/java java /usr/java/latest/bin/java 3
alternatives --config java

There are 3 programs which provide ‘java’.

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  Selection    Command

*+ 1           /usr/lib/jvm/jre-1.6.0-openjdk/bin/java
   2           /usr/lib/jvm/jre-1.5.0-gcj/bin/java
   3           /usr/java/latest/bin/java

Enter to keep the current selection[+], or type selection number: 3

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java -version

java version “1.7.0_15” Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_15-b03) Java HotSpot(TM) Server VM (build 23.7-b01, mixed mode)

Create links in the Mozilla Plugins directory so Java jre will show in firefox plugin option.

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cd /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins/
ln -fs /usr/java/latest/lib/i386/libnpjp2.so

Now Restart your browser and then click on Enable button to enable this plugin.Thats it you are all set.