The document provides a comprehensive guide on Oracle Exadata patching, detailing various types of patches, installation methods, and best practices. It emphasizes careful planning and execution during patching to minimize system downtime and ensure compatibility across components. Additionally, it outlines specific procedures for upgrading components and addresses common challenges in the patching process.

1. Smooth-as-Silk Oracle Exadata
Patching
Fahd Mirza

2. © 2012 – Pythian
About Fahd Mirza
• Oracle DBA since 2001
• Oracle ACE
• Oracle Blogger
• Blog at pythian.com/news
• Oracle DBA Evangelist
• Conference Speaker
• Interviewed by Oracle Magazine Sep 11
• Currently Working at Pythian
• Managing Exadata for 2+ years
• @fahdmirza (Twitter)

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Why Pythian
• Recognized Leader:
• Global industry leader in data infrastructure managed services and consulting with expertise
in Oracle, Oracle Applications, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, big data and systems
administration
• Work with over 200 multinational companies such as Forbes.com, Fox Sports, Nordion and
Western Union to help manage their complex IT deployments
• Expertise:
• One of the world’s largest concentrations of dedicated, full-time DBA expertise. Employ 8
Oracle ACEs/ACE Directors
• Hold 7 Specializations under Oracle Platinum Partner program, including Oracle Exadata,
Oracle GoldenGate & Oracle RAC
• Global Reach & Scalability:
• 24/7/365 global remote support for DBA and consulting, systems administration, special
projects or emergency response

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• Overview
• Types of Exadata Patching
• Patching Scenarios
• Best Practices
• RecommendedTools

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Pythia, Pythian, Patching

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Golden Rule of Exadata Patching
Don’t Delay Don’t RushAND

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Patch It
• The more components a system has, the more challenging its maintenance
becomes.
• But is it daunting really?
• It's lengthy but with careful planning, preparation and focussed execution, it's
a breeze.

8. © 2012 – Pythian
Exadata Architecture
DB Nodes idb / RDS Storage Nodes
Infiniband11gR2 / ASM CELLSRV

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Exadata Software
• At Database Server
• Oracle 11gR2
• At Storage Server
• CELLSRV
• Management Server
• Restart Server
• OSWatcher

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Types of Exadata Patches
• There are different types of patches that are required to maintain Exadata
Database Machine:
• Exadata Storage Server
• Database server
• RDBMS and GI
• Operating system and firmware
• InfiniBand switch
• Additional components

11. © 2012 – Pythian
Exadata Storage Server Patches
• An Exadata Storage Server patch contains updates to
• Firmware
• Operating system
• Exadata Storage Server software.
• Only use single downloadable patch from MOS for Storage Server update.
• Don’t manually update firmware or software on storage servers.
• Storage Server patch may contain updates to firmware and OS to apply to
DB servers. Known as a database server minimal pack.

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Installation of Exadata Storage Server
Patches
• Storage Server patches are installed using patchmgr, which is a script
supplied with the patch.
• The patches may be installed in one of two ways:
• Rolling: Storage server patching performed in a rolling manner is applied
one storage server at a time while databases remain operational until all
storage servers are patched.
• Non-rolling: Storage server patching performed in a non-rolling manner is
applied to all storage servers simultaneously with databases offline.
• Prerequisites and instructions for installing the patch are provided in a
README supplied with the patch.

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Compatibility of Exadata Storage Server
Patches
• Exadata Storage Server patches are supplied independent of Oracle
Database Server patches
• i.e. patches applied to RDBMS or Grid Infrastructure homes using OPatch.
• Exadata Storage Server patch may require a specific Oracle Database
Server patch level, or database server firmware or operating system
version.

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Database Server Patches
• Database servers have two types of patches
• Oracle Database Software Patches
• Firmware / Operating System Patches

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DB Server : DB Software Patches
• Oracle Database Server software patches contain updates to Oracle
Database and Oracle Clusterware software.
• They are supplied as one or more downloadable patches from MOS.
• Most updates are delivered in bundle patches created specifically for
Exadata
• For Oracle Database (DB_BP) and Oracle Clusterware (GI_BP).

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DB Server : DB Software Patches
• Bundle patches contain no Exadata-specific code and may be installed on
non-Exadata systems.
• However, that priority for requests to merge one-off fixes into Exadata
bundle patches is given to Exadata customers.
• Bundle patches are cumulative.
• Bundle patches contain a recently released Patch Set Update (PSU), which,
in turn, contain a recently released Critical Patch Update (CPU).
• Patches in addition to bundle patches may be recommended or required.

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DB Server : DB Software Patches
Installation
• Opatch utility is used to apply the DB server patches in RDBMS and Grid
Homes.
• Prerequisites and instructions for installing a patch are provided in a
README supplied with the patch.
• There may be supplementary documentation for a patch that is
referenced in a MOS note.
• Oracle Database Server software patches may be installed in any order
unless otherwise indicated in a patch README

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DB Server : DB Software Patches
Compatibility
• Oracle Database Server software may require a minimum Exadata Storage
Server software version.
• Patches listed together as the current set of recommended patches in
Note 888828.1 have been tested as a group by MOS.
• If OPatch reports a conflict with one or more patches in this list, you
should not force apply your patch.
• Contact Oracle Support for assistance to resolve the patch conflict.

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DB Server: Firmware / OS Patches
• Minimal Pack for pre 11.2.3.1.0 / yum for 11.2.3.1.0 and above
• Obtain updates for firmware from the hardware support site that is
specific to the database server.
• Firmware downloads for Sun Fire DB can be obtained from OTN.
• Don’t update Storage Servers with firmware downloaded from OTN.
• Use only Exadata Storage Server patches.
• The database server manufacturer and model used can be obtained with
the commands:
• 'dmidecode --string system-manufacturer' and 'dmidecode --string system-product-
name'.

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DB Server: Firmware / OS Patches
• Oracle Linux (OL, earlier Oracle Enterprise Linux OEL) is the required
Linux distribution.
• Obtain updates for OL from the Unbreakable Linux Network (ULN).
• Do not automatically apply kernel updates because it may break
compatibility with OFED software.
• Be careful when installing packages that reconfigure operating system
parameters, such as the oracle-validated RPM.
• Parameter changes may remove Exadata-specific best practice
configuration provided when the system was deployed.

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DB Server: Firmware / OS Patches
Database Server Minimal Pack
• Storage Server patch may contain updates to firmware and operating
system to apply to database servers.
• This is known as a database server minimal pack.
• Minimal pack is designed to only patch database servers that
• are running the original deployed operating system,
• or have been updated only with a previous minimal pack.
• Minimal pack update to a specific version does not provide a database
server that is equivalent to a newly shipped database server at the same
version.

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DB Server: Firmware / OS Patches
Installation
• Any firmware or OS update may be installed, uninstalled, or reconfigured
provided the following guidelines are satisfied:
• Requirements to run Oracle Database 11g, Release 2 (11.2) remain intact.
• Storage Servers and database servers should interoperate with same InfiniBand host
channel adapter (HCA) firmware version.
• Obtain installed InfiniBand HCA firmware version with command "/usr/sbin/ibstat".
• Exadata Storage Servers and database servers should interoperate with same InfiniBand
(OFED) software versions.
• OFED software version is obtained with command "rpm --query ofa-$(uname -r)".

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DB Server: QDPE
• New strategy for patch releases for Database and GI on Exadata
• Customers will be less stressed because
• Number and Frequency of patches will decrease
• Quality of patching will improve
• Quarterly Bundle Patches will be released for GI and RDBMS
• They are being called as Quarterly Database Patches for Exadata
• They are cumulative and include latest PSU which include CPU.
• Interim bundle patches will still be available to address critical issues
• 11.2.0.3.11 - Oct 2012 QDPE is scheduled for Oct 2012

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InfiniBand Switch Patching
• An InfiniBand switch patch contains updates to the software and/or
firmware for InfiniBand switches.
• Updates to InfiniBand switch software and/or firmware must occur only
with the patch downloaded from MOS.
• Prerequisites and instructions for installing a patch are provided in a
README supplied with the patch.
• InfiniBand switch software version has no dependency on Exadata Storage
Server software version, unless indicated patch README.

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InfiniBand Switch Patching
• IB Switch patches are installed and rolled back via ILOM
• Infiniband patches are not cumulative.
• You have to upgrade version by version in order.
• For migrate from version 1.0.1-1 to 1.3.3-2, first upgrade 1.0.1-1 to 1.1.3-2 and
then 1.1.3-2 to 1.3.3-2.
• First patch Spine switch, reboot it, and then proceed it to patching the leaf
switches.

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Additional Exadata Component
Patches
• Additional components refer to the Ethernet switch, KVM, and PDU.
• Firmware and/or software may be maintained at your discretion unless
otherwise specific in Note 888828.1.

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Quarterly Full Stack Download
Patch(QFSDP)
• Oracle is making things easier for downloading Exadata patching
• QFSDP includes all the patches for:
• Exadata Storage Server
• RDBMS Home and Grid Infrastructure Home
• Infiniband Switches
• OPLAN and OPATCH
• PDU
• EM Agent and EM Plug-in and EM OMS
• Individual downloads for the above components will also be available.

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Experience of Upgrading Exadata to 11.2.0.3
• This is about Upgrade from version 11.2.0.2 BP10 to 11.2.0.3 BP2.
• MOS note [ID 1373255.1] is your friend
• Most of steps can be done rolling mode so don't require full downtime.
• Prepare the list of all one-off patches which you need to apply and see if
they have been fixed in 11.2.0.3.

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Experience of Upgrading Exadata to
11.2.0.3
• As always, fulfillment of pre-requisites for 11.2.0.3. is paramount.
• Make sure InfiniBand switch software release version is 1.3.3-2 or later
• Use "/opt/oracle.SupportTools/CheckSWProfile.sh -I" command.
• Make sure exadata Storage Server software is release 11.2.2.4.0 or later.
• Use "imageinfo" command.
• Check version of your box.
• Use "dmidecode -s system-product-name" command.

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Experience of Upgrading Exadata to
11.2.0.3
• Check your BP level and install the patch for bug 12539000 if you have
BP11 and lower.
• The bug leads to an oracle fatal error during the rolling upgrade.
• It can be done in the rolling mode and takes about 1 – 1.5 hours to
complete patching for 4 database nodes.
• Make sure you have satisfied all pre-reqs in MOS note ID 1373255.1

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Experience of Upgrading Exadata to
11.2.0.3
• Then comes installation of the new 11.2.0.3 GI software.
• Oracle recommends “out of place” upgrade for 11gR2.
• Did it using silent installation for GI 11.2.0.3 with “UPGRADE” option.
• It can be done during normal business hours without any impact to the
environment.
• It took just above one hour for us to complete.
• We had the 11.2.0.3.0 GI at that stage and could continue with database
software.

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Experience of Upgrading Exadata to
11.2.0.3
• We upgraded the database software and databases to 11.2.0.3
• Installed the new database software to a new directory and recompile it
with RDS option.
• Used silent install with “INSTALL_DB_SWONLY” and recompiled the libs
to use RDS after it.
• Verify if the database using RDS for IB by running command
$ORACLE_HOME/bin/skgxpinfo (for version starting from 11.2.0.2).
• The installation was simple and took about 1 hour.
• Then applied latest bundle patch to GI and RDBMS software and it took
about an hour.

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Experience of Upgrading Exadata to
11.2.0.3
• Next we upgraded the database after verifying all the parameters and pre-
upgrade checks.
• The MOS note [ID 1373255.1] is very helpful.
• It should not take more than one hour to perform upgrade and
postupgrade steps on a database.
• Make sure to gather statistics for the fixed objects after the upgrade.
• Adjust database compatible parameter,ASM and disk group compatibility
accordingly.

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Step by Step Patching Scenario
• Half Rack ofV2 Exadata
- 4 database nodes, 7 cell nodes
• Exadata Storage Cell Patch (Upgrade to 11.2.2.4)
• Minimal Pack on the database Node

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Exadata Storage Cell Patch (Upgrade to
11.2.2.4) - Step by Step
• Run as root.
• This is only done on one database node only
• This will call dcli under the cover to patch all storage Cell nodes

36. © 2012 – Pythian
Exadata Storage Cell Patch (Upgrade to
11.2.2.4) - Step by Step
• Ensure the various cell network configurations are consistent
• The following command shouldn't return any data
• dcli -g /root/cell_group -l root '/opt/oracle.cellos/ipconf –verify’
• Shut down the Oracle components on all the database hosts.
• dcli -g /root/dbs_group -l root "/opt/oracle.oswatcher/osw/stopOSW.sh"
• dcli -g /root/dbs_group -l root "/u01/app/11.2.0.2/grid/bin/crsctl stop crs
-f"
• Verify no cluster processes, SMON,TNS are running

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Exadata Storage Cell Patch (Upgrade to
11.2.2.4) - Step by Step
• Shut down all cell services on all cells that will be patched.
• dcli -g /root/cell_group -l root "cellcli -e alter cell shutdown services all“
• Start Patching using the patchmgr Utility
• ./patchmgr -cells /root/cell_group -patch
• Make sure screen utility is being used
• Monitor patch activity using less -rf patchmgr.stdout from another terminal
session
• This could run for 4-5 hours

38. © 2012 – Pythian
Exadata Storage Cell Patch (Upgrade to
11.2.2.4) - Step by Step
• Once patching is done, a few verification steps
• Gather image status and history
dcli -g /root/cell_group -l root "imageinfo"
dcli -g /root/cell_group -l root "imagehistory"
• The imageinfo command shows the current (Active), and previous
(Inactive) system info on the storage cell.

39. © 2012 – Pythian
Exadata Storage Cell Patch (Upgrade to
11.2.2.4) - Step by Step
• Check the /var/log/cellos/validations.log and /var/log/cellos/vldrun*.log files
for any failures.
• In output of imageinfo, the image status is marked as failure when there is a
failure reported in one or more places in these validations.
• If a specific validation failed, then the log will indicate where to look for the
logs for that validation.
• Examine the specific log to determine the problem, and check against know
issues.
• If the issue is not listed as a known issue in the My Oracle Support note for
the patch, then contact MOS

40. © 2012 – Pythian
Exadata Storage Cell Patch (Upgrade to
11.2.2.4) - Step by Step
• Check following logs with the commands for any failure:
• dcli -g /root/cell_group -l root "tail -50 /var/log/cellos/validations.log"
• dcli -g /root/cell_group -l root "tail -50 /var/log/cellos/vldrun.each_boot.log"
• dcli -g /root/cell_group -l root "tail -50 /var/log/cellos/vldrun.first_upgrade_boot.log"
• dcli -g /root/cell_group -l root "tail -50
/var/log/cellos/vldrun.upgrade_reimage_boot.log"

41. © 2012 – Pythian
Exadata Storage Cell Patch (Upgrade to
11.2.2.4) - Step by Step
• To rollback the patch:
• Check the prerequisites:
• ./patchmgr -cells /root/cell_group -rollback_check_prereq
• Perform the rollback:
• ./patchmgr -cells /root/cell_group -rollback

42. © 2012 – Pythian
Exadata Minimal Patch on Database
Nodes
• The storage cell patching is tightly knitted together with the database
patching.
• After the storage cell patching, you have to apply the minimal patch to the
database nodes.
• Not doing so could result in bugs, errors, uncertain behaviors like disabling
of storage indexes
• Apply database minimal patch on each database node as root
• Go to patch install directory and run it as ./install.sh –force
• This will run it in background and database nodes will reboot
• Check imageinfo and dopatch.sh.log after patching for any errors

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Patching Exadata with OEM
• Oracle Enterprise Manager currently does not support patching of the
Exadata Database Machine
• Compute Node and the Storage Cells.
• No support available for Oracle Databases running on Oracle Data Guard
Configuration.
• It can apply Bundle Patches on DB and GI homes

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Patching Exadata with OEM
• Quarterly Exadata Bundle Patches Released by Oracle
• Bundle Patches Include Fixes to both GI and DB Homes
• Manual Patching is Lengthy and Cumbersome
• On Quarter Rack it requires 100+ steps
• OPatch auto does not provide automation of out-of-place patching.

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Patching Exadata with OEM
• Oracle Enterprise Manager provides
• Complete automation to patch the cluster in zero-downtime
• Both in In-place and Out of Place modes.
• Oracle recommends that customers apply these patches out of place.

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Patching Exadata with OEM
• Out of Place Patching
• OEM 12c introduces Out of Place patching method.
• Clones of the existing oracle homes are created, and the patches are
applied to the cloned home instead of the original home.
• Once the cloned home is patched, user can selectively switch the database
instances to run from the cloned home.

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Patching Exadata with OEM
• Advantages of Out of Place Patching by OEM
• Minimal downtime
• Flexibility
• Recoverability
• Easy and Intuitive Approach

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Patching Guidelines
• Review the patch README file for known issues, patch installation and
deinstallation instructions, and special notes.
• Validate patch installation on theTEST system by applying it.
• Evaluate technologies and practices that may reduce downtime and risk,
such as transient logical standby patching, Data Guard Standby-First Patch
Apply, and rolling patch apply.
• Define, document, and test fallback procedures required if a patch must be
rolled back.

49. © 2012 – Pythian
Patching Guidelines
• If applying the patch to address a specific issue, verify that the patch
provides the functionality desired.
• Verify there is no performance, availability, or operational regression while
running workload that is representative to that which runs on the
PRODUCTION system.
• AWR and SQL Performance Analyzer may be used to assess performance
improvement or regression resulting from the patch.
• Before and after patch application, run exachk

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Patch Helping Features
• Cell Rolling Apply
• Exadata Storage Server software patches may be applied in a rolling
fashion, one storage server at a time.
• The supplied patching utility manages rolling patch application to all
storage servers.

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Patch Helping Features
• Bundle Patch Merge
• In 11.2.0.1 patches for Oracle Database and Oracle Clusterware were
delivered separately.
• A bundle patch for 11.2.0.2 combines both sets of updates which reduces
patching time by reducing the number of patches to install.

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Patch Helping Features
• OPatch Auto Installable:
• Opatch Auto command replaces manual steps to apply BP
• Opatch Auto:
• Stops the Clusterware and Database
• Applies the Patch to Grid home and database home
• Starts the Clusterware and the database
• Opatch Auto is repeated on all database nodes

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OPLAN
• No need to manually identify environment specific patching commands
• No need to spend huge time in understanding target configuration and
generating commands
• OPLAN automatically collects configuration information for target
• Step by step patching instructions can be generated
• Instructions cover both patch application and patch rollback steps.
• Instructions cover patch options for In place / Out-of-Place methods.
• The OPLAN utility works directly on the target, similar to OPatch.

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OPLAN Installation
• Oplan available from MOS, look for patch 11846294
• Download patch file to Oracle Home in the target
• Take backup of $ORACLE_HOME/Opatch, just in case.
• Remove $ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/oplan if already present by running:
• rm -r $ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/oplan
• As Oracle Home owner, unzip the oplan patch in the Oracle Home under
'OPatch' folder:
• unzip p11846294_<version_platform>.zip -d $ORACLE_HOME/Opatch
• Oplan will be installed under $ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/oplan folder.

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OPLAN Configuration
• Download actual patch you want to apply to local directory on target
• Set the ORACLE_HOME variable to theTargets Oracle Home
• As Oracle Home owner, run the following command:
• $ORACLE_HOME/oplan/oplan generateApplySteps <bundle patch location>
• OPLAN generates instructions in HTML and Text format.
• $ORACLE_HOME/cfgtoollogs/oplan/<TimeStamp>/InstallInstructions.html
• $ORACLE_HOME/cfgtoollogs/oplan/<TimeStamp>/InstallInstructions.txt

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OPLAN Configuration
• Verify the configuration by Oplan matches your configuration.
• Oplan may offer options across In Place / Out of Place patching
• Follow the patching instructions and apply the patch to the target.
• In order to rollback the patch use:
• $ORACLE_HOME/oplan/oplan generateRollbackSteps <bundle patch
location>
• The OPlan logs are located in $ORACLE_HOME/cfgtoollog/Oplan.

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Exachk
• Exachk is Exadata assessment tool
• Exachk audits various important configuration settings for Exadata:
• Database Servers,
• Storage Servers
• Infiniband Switches.
• Recommended to run routinely to check for any errors or warnings in the
system at every level.
• Provides detailed recommendations

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Exachk
• The tool audits configuration settings within the following categories
• OS kernel parameters
• OS packages
• Many other OS configuration settings important to RAC.
• CRS/Grid Infrastructure
• RDBMS
• ASM
• Database parameters
• Many other configuration settings.

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How to run Exachk
• Log in to the system as the oracle
• Stage exachk.zip kit on the node on which the tool will be executed
• Unzip exachk.zip kit, leaving script / driver files in same directory
• Verify permissions on exachk
• Run the tool
• $ ./exachk
• Follow the prompts. Read and understand all the messages
• Upon completion, review the report findings.

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Screen Utility
• Keeps it Alive all theTime
• No Worries About Network Disconnections
• No Worries About Loosing Remote Sessions
• Creates aVirtualTerminal
• 40VirtualTerminals Can be Created
• Type screen in shell and it gets Created
• Leave that session /reconnect / Switch among them

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Patch Release Frequency
• Subject to Change By Oracle anytime
• Exadata Storage Server Patches
• Quarterly
• Database Patch for Exadata
• Quarterly
• Infiniband Patches
• Between 6 months to anYear

62. © 2012 – Pythian
Word of Caution
• Exadata is still New
• Evolving Rapidly
• Many components, many changes, many bugs, many patches
• Consult My Oracle Support for Latest Patches and Releases available before
applying

63. © 2012 – Pythian
Conclusion
• The complexity of the Exadata patching can be a bit daunting at first
• Careful planning and execution can make it a breeze
• Open a Service Request with MOS before patching and get them review
your patching procedure
• Make sure to run Exachk before and after patching
• Patch it but don’t rush it and don’t delay it too much.

64. © 2012 – Pythian
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