Java 2 plugin install help

Need java-plugin advice. I'm using Suse 8.1, Mozilla 1.0.1. When I visit certain site I get the following message... "This page contains information of a type (application/x-java-vm) that can only be viewed with the appropriate plug-in...Click OK to download" I click OK, go to a Netscape page and select Java 2 Linux plug-in, a long download occurs but the install fails with "access denied". How can I get this plugin installed? Should I go directly to Sun and find the download? Should I go to Suse to see if they supply one for 8.1? What is the difference between the run-time environment and the plug-in and do I need both? Should I use the self extracting or RPM? Please advise! Thanks, Matt