Last night the July 2016 patches got released
Not all of them actually. In case you miss AIX, Intel Solaris and zLinux versions those should be available by Friday, July 22, 2016.
See the Oracle Critical Patch Update Advisory July 2016 for further details, and especially the Database announcement on MOS.
What’s new, what’s important?
First of all the renaming of DBIM and Exadata Bundle Patches into PROACTIVE BUNDLE PATCHES is now settled in more MOS notes.
2.1 Database patch for Engineered Systems and Database In-Memory 12.1.0.2 renamed to “Proactive Bundle Patch 12.1.0.2”
Starting from Apr2016 onwards the prior Database Bundle that was called “Database patch for Engineered Systems and Database In-Memory 12.1.0.2” will now be called “Proactive Bundle Patch 12.1.0.2”. This patch will continue be a cummulative patch and will include all prior fixes. The Apr2016 Proactive BP can also be applied on top the Jan2016 “Database patch for Engineered Systems and Database In-Memory 12.1.0.2”.
Does Oracle really recommend the Proactive Bundle Patches?
Well, I blogged about it almost 3 months ago and received several emails and comments from customer and colleagues sending me either complaints or SRs where somebody in Oracle Support gave them a hard time as one has applied a Proactive Bundle patch on a non-Exadata system. Hm … the fact the Proactive BPs were available in Solaris, AIX and HP-UX as well got simply ignored. Sorry for the inconvenience – but Oracle is a big ship and sometimes it takes a while until the message reaches really everybody.
Anyhow, in case you get into discussion with Oracle Support people in an SR please direct them to MOS Note: 1962125.1 – Oracle Database – Overview of Database Patch
Delivery Methods:
Oracle makes the following recommendation for which patch method to use for Database related installations:
- Every customer should at least install PSUs. Minimal testing required.
- 12.1.0.2 Customers wanting a more comprehensive set of fixes should install the Database Proactive Bundle patch. This requires a bit more testing than a Patch Set Update (PSU), but delivers a larger set of fixes
1 The “Database Proactive Bundle Patch” requires a bit more testing than a Patch Set Update (PSU) as it delivers a larger set of fixes.
[above table and text is taken from MOS Note:1962125.1 as of July 20, 2016]
Other changes you should be aware of?
And you’ll find also significant changes in the naming in MOS Note:1683799.1 – 12.1.0.2 Patch Set – Availability and Known Issues. The Recommended Patches section differentiates now between Exadata, RAC and non-RAC systems making your choice much easier, and removes the misleading naming for DBIM:
Non Exadata Non RAC
Document Description Rolling RAC Patch Download Note:23615334.8 Combo of 12.1.0.2.160719 OJVM PSU and 12.1.0.2.160719 DBBP (Jul 2016) Part Patch:23615334 Note:23615289.8 Combo of 12.1.0.2.160719 OJVM PSU and 12.1.0.2.160719 DB PSU (Jul 2016) Part Patch:23615289 Note:23273686.8 12.1.0.2.160719 Database Proactive Bundle Patch (Jul 2016) Yes Patch:23273686 Note:23177536.8 Oracle JavaVM Component 12.1.0.2.160719 Database PSU (Apr 2016) (OJVM PSU) No Patch:23177536 Note:23054246.8 12.1.0.2.160719 (Jul 2016) Database Patch Set Update (DB PSU) Yes Patch:23054246
I’d recommend you the one in BOLD letters unless you use OJVM and require the OJVM patch in addition.
And finally … the summary!
For those who have no time to read such a lengthy blog post here’s the important facts:
- Where do you find Critical Patch Advisory information and the root to all further notes?
Critical Patch Advisory July 2016 - Where does Oracle recommend Proactive BPs over PSUs?
MOS Note:1962125.1 – Oracle Database – Overview of Database Patch Delivery Methods - Where do you find the link to YOUR patch for the Database and GI for 12.1.0.2?
MOS Note:2136219.1 – Patch Set Update and Critical Patch Update July 2016 Availability Document
–Mike
[Addition/Update]
Please be aware of:
- BUG 24332805 – OUI-67124:RE-LINK FAILS ON TARGET “ISQORA” DURING JUL 2016 PSU APPLY”
- Two workarounds:
- Addition of UnixODBC package to server
- Install the “unixODBC” packages:
yum install unixODBC - Re-run the ins_odbc.mk
- cd $ORACLE_HOME/odbc/lib/
- make -f ins_odbc.mk isqora
- Install the “unixODBC” packages:
- Removing the sqora relinking from ‘actions.xml’ file of Linux x86-64 12.1.0.2.160719 DBPSU
- It is already removed from all the other platforms
- Addition of UnixODBC package to server
I’m having trouble downloading patch 23615289. I get an error saying "Details for Patch 23615289 not found". Anyone else having the same problem?
Hi Mike,
I was wondering how we can ask/make Oracle to include a certain patch in Proactive Bundle Patches, once and for all, so that we don’t have to raise a merge request every time Proactive patches are released?
The patch that we’re interested in is 21068213 (originally known as 19504744 for “BUG 18097476 FIX STOPS INTERNAL TYPE FROM GETTING SHARED AS COMMON OBJECTS (Patch)” – ref: 1683819.1) which actually is not an edge case!
A patch compatible with April Proactive patch was released (12.1.0.2.160419ProactiveBP) earlier, but -obviously- when you install July’s Proactive Bundle Patch, it is rolled back.
Is there a way out of this?
Regards,
Babak.
Hi Babak,
I see your issue – and unfortunately usually only critical fixes will be included into a PSU or Bundle Patch. Or fixes which hit a lot of customers.
What you could do:
Open an SR and ask for inclusion of this fix into a future BP. The Support engineer is able to tell you how many customers may have hit the same issue already. This would be a handle.
Hope this helps – and sorry for the inconvenience!
Cheers
Mike
Hi Mike,
We are running a mixed RAC environment with 12.1.0.2 GI and 12.1.0.2 RAC plus 11.2.0.4 and 11.2.0.3 RAC homes and I’m finding it difficult to find a note that explains how to patch pre-12c RAC DB homes in such an environment.
I’ve reviewed MOS note "Apply Grid Infrastructure/CRS Patch in Mixed Version RAC Database Environment (Doc ID 1064804.1)" but that doesn’t apply to 12c environments.
Logged a SR with support but they don’t seem to have much idea or of any help in directing me to the right documentation.
Any suggestions will be highly appreciated.
Regards,
Rajesh
Rajesh,
actually the patches readme.html should answer this question. You just must make sure to use the correct opatch for every environment as there are different opatch releases for 11.2 and 12c
Cheers
Mike
Hi, I’ve openned an SR and in my case (2 Node RAC AIX 7.1 12.1.0.2) they tell me to apply patch 23615334 (Combo of 12.1.0.2.160719 OJVM PSU and 12.1.0.2.160719 DBBP (Jul 2016)) with Opatch version 12.2.0.1.5 with no need to rollback any of the previous installed PSU.
Does any one know this is right?
Regards
Cristian
@Christian:
The most recent two opatch versions handle this automatically as far as I’ve read.
Cheers
Mike
Please continue to educate your colleagues about this. I am arguing with a tech and a manager on a patch conflict SR where the one-off patch I need exists for the PSU but not for the Proactive BP. They are both royally confused about the difference.
@Steve:
I’ll try to do my best. It may take some time … 😉