This document discusses patching and upgrading databases with virtualization. Traditionally, patching and upgrading databases requires taking databases offline in each environment, testing the patch, and then applying it to other environments. With virtualization, a virtual copy of the database can be quickly provisioned to test patches without impacting existing environments. After testing, the patch only needs to be applied once to the production environment since other environments are virtual copies automatically refreshed. This approach saves significant time spent patching each environment individually and reduces storage usage by up to 80% by eliminating redundant copies of data.

1. Session ID:
Prepared by:
Patching and Upgrading with
Virtualization
The Epiphany
149
Kellyn Pot’Vin-Gorman, Technical Intelligence Manager
@DBAKevlar

2. Epiphany
e·piph·a·ny
əˈpifənē/
noun
a (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or
meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an
event) usually simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or
disclosure
b : a revealing scene or moment

3. A Single Use Case
The goal here is with one use case
to help drive the epiphany of
virtualization.

4. Patching and Upgrading….

5. Time to Create and Build Out a Database
Environment
Finance
HR
CRM

7. Patching and Upgrading Databases
 Each patch, (PSU) would need to be
applied to a development database,
requiring outage to development
teams and then tested before
applying to test, UAT and then onto
production.
 This has to be performed to EACH
environment, every database, each
quarter.
Finance
HR
CRM
UAT Test DevProd

8. Risks/Challenges Of This Approach
• Downtime for valuable resources.
• DBAs working afterhours
• Each database must have it done and…
• The tedious task must be performed over and over again.
• Little opportunity for advanced learning.
• Each database may experience different bugs.

9. April 2-6, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV USA #C17LV
What Happens When You Go to the Cloud?
• All this has to happen, but now up to the cloud
• It’s not just about getting the environment patches, but
keep them all in sync and more environments to keep
track of and patch
• Demands, resources and new cost structure
• Monitoring it all isn’t easy, either…

10. April 2-6, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV USA #C17LV
The Build Out: from on-premises to the Cloud,
Assumption
Database server
Cloud Storage
Database server
Patch and
Upgrade

11. Go Into Virtualization Deeper?
Virtualization 101 and Q&A
9:45 AM–10:45 AM Apr 5, 2017
Jasmine C

12. ▶▶▶
Virtualize and Deployed▶ ▶ ▶
0.6 TB
Virtualization Eliminates 90%+ Common,
Repeated Data
Storage Pool for Delphix
QA
DEV PATCH TEST
PRODUCTION
Database/App Tier
1
TB
1 TB
Read From Production
Spin a VIRTUAL database up for a patch test, without having
to commandeer a current development or test one.
TEST

13. I’m a Command Line Person, Whatcha
Got?
• The CLI, (Command Line Interface) is very robust for Delphix
and Creating VDB is easy!
• The name of the VDB you want to create
• The group in which to create the VDB
• The Oracle database name
• The Oracle database unique name
• The Oracle database instance number
• The Oracle database instance name
• The source dSource or VDB from which you wish to provision
• The SCN or timestamp of the point you want to provision from, (commands can be
run to get the list of snapshots or timeflow ranges.)

14. • https://docs.delphix.com/display/DOCS43/CLI+Cookbook%3A+Provisioning+a+VDB+from+a+TimeFlow+Bookmark
Choose Source Snapshot:
>snapshot list database=<dbname>
timeflow ”<dbname>" timeflowRanges;
commit;
Create A Virtual Database:
>database provision;
delphix database provision > defaults
delphix database provision defaults > set
container=<Vdbname>
delphix database provision defaults > commit;

15. What a CLI Scripted Refresh Looks Like
> database
> select <VDB name>
> refresh
> set timeflowPointParameters.type= (one of
TimeflowPointBookmark, TimeflowPointBookmarkTag,
TimeflowPointLocation, TimeflowPointSemantic,
TimeflowPointTimestamp as appropriate)
> set timeflowPointParameters.location= (the location,
timestamp, or bookmark you wish to refresh to)
> set timeflowPointParameters.timeflow= (the timeflow
associated with location)
> commit

16. • Monstrous deployments, (20+) benefit from a scripted, CLI
option.
• Single or several VDB deployment.
• When investigating deep level issues, using the CLI can make
details easier to search through.
• When looking for “just the facts”, then a graphical UI is
beneficial for high level error messages.
• Self-service has great benefits and make it simple for those
without deep level skills to take advantage of virtualized
environments for development and testing.
When Do I USE the CLI or Graphical UI?

17. Cost Vs. Benefit…
• No Management Packs outside of database feature
licensing.
• Heterogeneous Opportunities

18. Spin up a new VDB and
apply patch there- no
need to commandeer
existing!
Environment Virtualization, DB Style
HR
Finance
CRM

19. No need to keep the
extra VDBs post patch
to prod.
After Testing, Apply to Production
HR
Finance
CRM

20. The Compressed Copies in
the Delphix Engine are
Upgraded!
Environment Virtualization, DB Style
HR
Finance
CRM

21. In minutes,
refresh and
complete!
Environment Virtualization, DB Style
HR
Finance
CRM

23. • Not only did I save on 80% or more on storage usage overall.
• I didn’t have to take away a valuable resource’s database environment to test the
patch/upgrade.
• I didn’t have to apply the patch/upgrade to each environment, as they are
virtualized copies of the source.
• I save significant time that commonly has to be allocated to quarterly and annual
maintenance for patching and upgrading.
• I apply the patch twice- once to test, once to production. I only need to refresh my
environments after I’m done.
• This works for the database AND application tier.
Patching and Upgrading with Virtualization

24. The quickest way to complete a task is not
having to do it.

25. April 2-6, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV USA #C17LV
Data virtualization: Upgrades and Patching to
IaaS Made Easy
Delphix Virtualization Engine
2TB storage
Delphix Virtualization Engine
2 TB storage
SQL Server Target
Storage
SQL Server
Validated Sync
Environment
SQL Server Target
Storage

26. https://www.delphix.com/products/free-trial-request

27. • Delphix Oracle Upgrade Workflow: https://support.delphix.com/hc/en-
us/articles/221248628-Oracle-Upgrades-Workflow-and-Troubleshooting
• Upgrading the Dsource after an Oracle Upgrade:
https://docs.delphix.com/display/DOCS/Upgrading+dSources+after+an+Or
acle+Upgrade
• How to Upgrade an Oracle VDB: https://support.delphix.com/hc/en-
us/articles/204929258-KB089-How-to-Upgrade-an-Oracle-VDB
• Tip: Don’t Suspend:LogSync When Upgrading the Source!
https://community.delphix.com/delphix/topics/tip-of-the-day-upgrading-
an-oracle-vdb
References and Tips

28. Q&A