Richard Jia, December 30, 2002 - 10:13 am UTC
Actually I searched Metalink before I asked my question. I could't find them in Metalink.
December 30, 2002 - 10:50 am UTC
Hmm, I went to metalink.oracle.com, logged in.
clicked on patches (left hand side)
clicked on "New metalink patch search"
searched by product or family for "developer forms", release developer 6i, patchtype = patchset/minipack
and the very first patch that popped up was:
Patch Description Product Release Updated Type
2648892 RELEASE 6I: PATCH 12 Developer Forms 6i 27-NOV-2002 Patchset
Now that you have the patch number, 2648892, tis even easier
log in
patches
plug in the number.
Great, as always
Jay, December 30, 2002 - 8:02 pm UTC
How to Know Database Patches Applied ?
A reader, April 09, 2003 - 9:04 am UTC
How do I know what patches have been applied on my database ?
Is there such thing as "v$patch" with the history of all patches applied ?
April 09, 2003 - 10:44 am UTC
regular standard patches are in the version.
8.1.7.4
^^^ patch level
One off patches, for a very specific bug fix, are rare and would be tracked by you. Support does have some tools to facilitate this if you "forget" -- but in general, one off patches are not normal -- the patch sets are what we use.
metalink registration
Hash, March 06, 2004 - 2:21 pm UTC
sorry to ask this foolish question but i dont have a metalink registration.it asks for some identification which is dont understand could u plz help me
March 06, 2004 - 2:47 pm UTC
metalink is the support site, support has to have been purchased. See your DBA/whomever would have this information (assuming your company did purchase that service)
A reader, October 13, 2004 - 10:39 am UTC
Tom,
Our database is 8.1.7.0, I don't see it in metalink to download a patch. I see 8.1.7.4. Does that mean it is no longer supported? What to do at this point? However, the metalink licence is valid till may 2005. Could you clarify? Will the upgrade support end after May 2005?
Thank you
October 13, 2004 - 11:59 am UTC
desupport notices on are metalink. 8174 is on metalink. (i just did a search on 817 patches for solaris and got a big ol' list)
it is all there? i found it straight away.
A reader, October 13, 2004 - 12:09 pm UTC
Tom,
Thank you.
I am new to metalink. Please clarify the following
1. In the event of a security vulnerability or some other thing that requires patch/patches should 8170 be upgraded to 8174?
2. In that case, what should be done if a upgrade is anyway planned in the next couple of months?
3. When was the desupport notice for 8170 given? Any pointer?
October 13, 2004 - 2:48 pm UTC
1) you would use support (file an itar) for advice on that.
2) you have to answer that -- can you wait? only you know....
3) when the product was developed -- we have the desupport plans well in advance (for long term planning). 8174 was actually extended by one year after the fact, but when the product ships, we have already announced the intention.
Tom how do You figure out what "one off" patch you have installed
Carlton Gregory, October 27, 2004 - 2:08 pm UTC
Granted you will only find 8.1.7.4.1 when you query the DB.
How do YOU find out what YOU have installed (8.1.7.4.10 or 8.1.7.4.16)?
Do you happen to have that "tool" from metalink posted on your site?
Is it the same tool that gives a "report" of you WHOLE machine (env vars, programs, options, etc)?
October 27, 2004 - 4:19 pm UTC
10g Grid Control does that repository management.
I have no metalink tools posted here, they would be all on metalink. I think you mean "RDA" the remote diagnostic script support might ask you to run.
Carlton, October 29, 2004 - 11:10 am UTC
Thanks for the quick reply.
I looked at output from the RDA that I ran a while back and I didnt find the patch level listed anywhere.
Seems like it has everything but that.
Ill have to see if there is a newer version of the RDA that may give me that info.
Thanks.
Rolled Up Patchsets
Tom, January 18, 2006 - 5:34 am UTC
Tom,
I'm a little confused on something. Is there any way to download a cumulatively patched installation CD for oracle?
At the moment when installing a new DB/HTTP server combo we download Database 10g [10.1.0.2] and Companion 10g [9.0.4.0] and upgrade the database to 10.1.0.4 and the http server to 9.0.4.2 [two separate patchsets]. Then, finally we can apply the January CPU patchsets to get the database and webserver to where they really need to be.
Is there any way I can just download an install which will just give me 10.1.0.4 [preferably with the January CPU] and 9.0.4.2 [again with the patchset preferably]? Downloading an out of date version and then patching it up to the correct version seems very longwinded...
January 18, 2006 - 8:20 am UTC
In general, there is the "release" and then there are "patches" to be applied to the release.
The major releases are 'released', and then you apply the patches to them.
patch
sam, September 01, 2006 - 2:54 pm UTC
Tom:
When you apply a database patch do you have to take the whole server down or just shut down that particular database?
I am trying to figure out when you install server software you install once and create 20 databases/instances using one installation or there is a piece of software per database/instance.
September 01, 2006 - 3:32 pm UTC
depends on the patch - the patch instructions tell you what you need to do.
To patch "workspace management" for example - might be a recompile of some stored procedures (database would be up)
To patch a lgwr latching problem would probably imply "replace the oracle binary" in which case we'd be down.
but I'm not aware of any situation that would cause you to shutdown the entire "server" itself.
patch
A reader, September 01, 2006 - 4:20 pm UTC
TOm:
Does this patch require shutdown? How long do you think it wiil take?
# DATE: Dec 14, 2004
# --------------------
# Platform Patch for : AIX5L Based Systems (64-bit)
# Product Version # : 9.2.0.6
# Product Patched : RDBMS
#
# Bugs Fixed by this patch:
# -------------------------
# 4015165 - REGRN:SCALAR VARCHAR2 IN BINDS WITH DIFFERENT SIZE RANDOMLY FAILS WITH ORA-06502
#
# Patch Installation Instructions:
# --------------------------------
# To apply the patch, unzip the PSE container file:
#
# % unzip <p4015165_AIX5L_9206.zip>
#
# Set your current directory to the directory where the patch
# is located:
#
# % cd 4088192
#
# Ensure that the directory containing the opatch script appears in
# your $PATH; then enter the following command:
#
# % opatch apply
#
# Patch Special Instructions:
# ---------------------------
#
# If the Oracle inventory is not setup correctly this utility will
# fail. To check accessibility to the inventory you can use the
# command
#
# % opatch lsinventory
#
# If you have any problems installing this PSE or are not sure
# about inventory setup please call Oracle support.
#
# Patch Deinstallation Instructions:
# ----------------------------------
# Use the following command:
#
# % cd 4088192
# % opatch rollback -id 4088192
#
September 01, 2006 - 5:21 pm UTC
please utilize support for stuff like this.
patch
A reader, September 07, 2006 - 3:33 pm UTC
Tom:
If you have 20 databases running off 9.2.0.6 oracle server and you want to shutdown the server and apply the patch in unix once or you have to do something special for every SID.
Based on instructions above it seems it is one unix command but a DBA says it has to be done for every SID which does not make sense to me.
September 08, 2006 - 4:03 pm UTC
depends on the patch.
if the patch is a binary database patch (eg: replaces a library, an executable) and you have one oracle home, then you
a) shut em all down.
b) patch the software install
c) start em up
if the patch is a dictionary type of patch (runs cat*.sql scripts for example), then each oracle database must be patched (eg; you log into each database and run the cat script)
but - the PATCH INSTRUCTIONS would tell you what needs be done and if there is ANY confusion - metalink.oracle.com would be the place to get clarification for patching.
patch
A reader, September 08, 2006 - 12:07 pm UTC
Tom:
Just wanted to confirm, is there a way to downgrade a database from 9.2.0.6 to 9.2.0.2 or you have to re-create a new database using 9.2.0.2 server and redo imp/exp?
2. how long you think the creation and imp/exp would take for a 200 M - 300 M bytes database.
September 09, 2006 - 11:56 am UTC
there are downgrade scripts yes, the readme's that come with the patch cover that.
2) not long, that is tiny.
patch
A reader, September 10, 2006 - 9:57 pm UTC
Tom:
You say there are downgrade scripts. However, there are other 9.2.0.6 databases we want to keep. The machine has 9.2.0.2 and 9.2.0.6 servers. We want to take the database A running under 9.2.0.6 and move it to run under 9.2.0.2. Is this something done by a patch or you have to recreate an instance/database under 9.2.0.2 and exp/imp data.
September 11, 2006 - 9:48 am UTC
please utilize support for downgrade procedures.
but I fail to see the point here, doesn't seem useful.
patch
A reader, September 11, 2006 - 12:42 pm UTC
The point is that 9.2.0.6 has a bug. The procedures for applying a patch (ORA-06502 error) might be too long (CCB approval and/or functional testing) of other prodcution apps.
So the fastest approach is to take some of these new databses and put it in 9.2.0.2 since there are no bugs.
2. Do you really have to test all of your functionality in an app when you apply a binary patch for an ORA-06502 error.
September 11, 2006 - 1:49 pm UTC
1) 9208 is the current release.
2) would not hurt.
patch
A reader, September 11, 2006 - 4:16 pm UTC
Tom:
There are 20 databases running under 9.2.0.6. In order not to affect those with the patch is it possible to create another oracle home, install patch there and just have those new 3 databases use this new home? Is this feasible solution?
September 11, 2006 - 4:18 pm UTC
please utilize support for downgrade procedures.
yes, you can put 9206 in one Oracle home and 9202 in another and run both at the same time.
patch
A reader, September 11, 2006 - 5:08 pm UTC
Tom:
You misunderstood me. I meant have two homes for 9.2.0.6 where you can have 17 production databases using one home (without patch applied) and 3 new created databases using a second home (with patch applied).
This is just a thought for an alternative solution to recreating the databases using 9.2.0.2.
September 11, 2006 - 6:16 pm UTC
if the patch is applied, you have 9206
if the patch is not applied, you have 9202
now, since 9202 binaries are different from 9206 binaries - you have confused me. If patch applied, then database software is 9206. If patch not applied, then you have 9202
So?? now what?
patch
A reader, September 11, 2006 - 10:23 pm UTC
Tom:
Sorry I dont think I explained it well.
We have one unix machine "SS80". This machine has 2 oracle servers running 9.2.0.2 and 9.2.0.6. So there are two oracle homes. Each server has many databases under it.
Now we took a bunch of 8i databases from another machine and created new databases under 9.2.0.6. After that, we discovered that 9.2.0.6 has a bug while 9.2.0.2 does not have a bug.
The organization procedures for applying a patch are cumbersome, Thus we are trying to find alternative fast solution.
1. My question was is it possible for the 9.2.0.6 server to have two oracle homes where we can apply the patch to the second home only and then copy these new migrated database under the new home.
2. DOes a new home mean another 9.2.0.6 server running?
Thank you,
September 12, 2006 - 8:10 am UTC
9206 IS THE PATCH, the binaries are part of the "patch". If you have 9206, you have 9206. period.
Server & Client Version
A reader, September 12, 2006 - 2:15 am UTC
Hi Tom, I want to know if Server is running on v9.2.0.4 and client is on v9.2.0.6 what problem i could face? I could have gone thru the metalink but don't have access to it.
What will you recommand to have both server & client on same versions?
September 12, 2006 - 8:25 am UTC
it is ok, it is supported, it is normal, it is allowed to happen.
8i can connect to 10g
10g can connect to 8i
and all that lies in between.
patch
A reader, September 12, 2006 - 2:05 pm UTC
Tom:
From your comment I understand that a newer release 9206 will include all patches for a previous release like 9202.
However this bug seems to happen in 9206 and not 9202.
September 12, 2006 - 5:38 pm UTC
so? I'm not sure what your point is.
IF You want 9202 and 9206 on the same machine
THEN
you shall have two oracle homes, one for 9202, one for 9206
Patches and ApplicationTesting
Alex, October 23, 2006 - 12:37 pm UTC
Oracle releases Quarterly Security patches. Our IT Security Unit is very much into this (though I doubt they ever read and understand what the vulnerability is all about).
anyway we as DBAs patched our Oracle TEST database as and when the patch is available.
Problem is getting the developers/QA teams to make time to test the apps, before we agree to do patch on Production version.
I read somewhere on Oracle website that "testing following patches are mandatory". Some feel this is merely a politically correct statement.
What is your opinion on this ?
How would you test a patch without incurring much people resources?
Can I just replay transactions logs and if transactions execute properly then the patch is deem to be safe ? After all transactions are generated by application programs.
Thanks for you insight.
October 23, 2006 - 12:51 pm UTC
if you do not test after making a change (any change, I don't care what kind of change), you will likely incur unexpected downtime. period. It is quite simply that simple.
if you do not test
you will likely incur downtime
I cannot answer the last bit, only you can - does that test your system to a sufficient degree? The only transaction logs I know are "redo" logs and they wouldn't be useful - so you must mean your OWN transaction logs - something you've invented. Only you can answer if "replay" of them would/could make sense.
Patches and Testing
Alex, October 23, 2006 - 2:14 pm UTC
Tom
I mean transaction/redo logs from the Production.
1 Restore the production backup from 10 days ago to the Test Server.
2 Next patch Oracle software and database on the test server.
3 Apply the real-world production transactions from 10 days ago until current to the Test Server. Watch if anything breaks.
4 If nothing breaks, then shutdown productions server,
run the patch and bring it up.
I mean, using the redo logs to exercise the database instead of using QA manpower to conduct post-patches tests manually.
Can this be a complete substitute to using a team of QA personnel to enter business transactions manually via the applications ?
Thanks again
October 23, 2006 - 5:22 pm UTC
umm, that will do nothing more than proving you can restore.
it doesn't really replay the "work", it runs no queries, it just applies redo.
It would do nothing towards your goal of testing
It is a good thing to do! But not to accomplish your stated goal.
goto www.google.com and type in
"load test tools"
Can I upgrade 10.1.0.2.0 to 10.1.0.3(4,5).0?
Yu, March 05, 2007 - 4:45 pm UTC
Can I upgrade 10.1.0.2.0 to 10.1.0.3(4,5).0?
if yes, where Can I find thses patches? I tried to find it from metlink, but could not?
I also hope to upgrade 9.0.1.1.1 to higher version since the DST patches does not support the above versions?
Thank you very much!
March 05, 2007 - 8:42 pm UTC
you could not find the patch tab?
log in
click patches and update tab
it is a patches or upgrade
Yu, March 07, 2007 - 11:38 am UTC
Hi Tom,
Forgive my naive. From Oracle 9.2.0.1 to oracle 9.2.0.3 ( 4, or 5) needs patches or upgrade?
I find in the upgrade website of metlink it only gives downloads of 9.2.0.1 and I could not find patches for 9.2.0.3 or upper from the patch part.
Thanks,
Yuna
March 07, 2007 - 2:01 pm UTC
platform?
I just did linux and all the way up to 9208 was there.
upgrade
A reader, March 07, 2007 - 2:57 pm UTC
microsoft windows 32 bits. I saw 9.2.0.8 for warehouse builder, but nothing for database.
Thank you very much for the reply.
Yuna
March 07, 2007 - 3:41 pm UTC
i went to patches and updates
-> simple search
-> by product or family (RDBMS server is what I put in)
-> windows 32 bit for the OS
-> 9208 for the release...
hit go and:
4547809 Oracle Database Family: Patchset
9.2.0.8 PATCH SET FOR ORACLE DATABASE SERVER 9.2.0.8 21-AUG-2006 245M View Readme Download Now
was right there?
Thank you
Yuna, March 08, 2007 - 2:01 pm UTC
Thank you vry much.
whether I can update 9.2.0.3 directly to 9.2.0.8 or need to updated (4,5)one by one?
Thank you very much!
March 08, 2007 - 3:32 pm UTC
you can apply the patchset to 9203, they are cumulative.
thanks
Yuna, March 08, 2007 - 3:03 pm UTC
Thanks there, I got the anwser from the note. Just too lazy.