Release Schedule

Long-Term Release Updates are paused

Since several customers asked me about it, I realized that I have never blogged about LTRUs – and as of now, Long-Term Release Updates are paused. Let me explain what the concept meant, where you can find information about it and what it would mean in your environment.

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Long-Term Release Update

The idea is smart for those customers who can’t move forward on Release Updates (RU) as quickly as we recommend it. Which means: apply them quarterly. Long-Term Release Updates (LTRU) seemed to be a good approach. You take an LTRU, and then we …

Should you attempt double-hop Oracle Database upgrades?

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Mike.Dietrich Lifetime Support Policy Oracle Database 19c Oracle Database 23ai Release Schedule 6

A long while ago I wrote a blog post about multiple-hop upgrades. And just recently I received many questions about whether one could skip Oracle Database 19c, and rather move into Oracle Database 23ai directly. So, the ask is: Should you attempt double-hop Oracle Database upgrades?

Should you attempt double-hop Oracle Database upgrades?

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What is a double-hop or multiple-hop upgrade?

Let me clarify the self-invented term here at first. In every Oracle database release we define the minimum database version you can directly upgrade from. With “upgrade” we refer to using the scripts or tools such as AutoUpgrade. Please …

How long can I request a backport for Oracle Database RUs?

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Mike.Dietrich Patch Recommendation Release Schedule 0

I’ve had this topic on my “to write about” list for a long time. But somehow it felt through the cracks. Especially in relation to the recently announced extension of the Oracle Database 19c Premier and Extended Support periods it may be useful if you are aware of this policy since you may ask yourself: How long can I request a backport for Oracle Database RUs?

How long can I request a backport for Oracle Database RUs?

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What is a backport?

As we explain in Virtual Classroom Seminar – Episode 17: From SR to Patch – Insights into the Oracle Database Development process we fix …

Premier Support end date for Oracle Database 23ai has been adjusted

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Mike.Dietrich Release Schedule 14

There were quite a few changes to MOS Note:742060.1 (Release Schedule of Current Database Releases) recently. And this week the new Premier Support end date for Oracle Database 23ai has been adjusted.

Premier Support end date for Oracle Database 23ai has been adjusted

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What has been announced?

When you check MOS Note:742060.1 then you’ll see three recent changes. At first, the Premier Support for Oracle Database 23ai has been extended by 2 years from end of calendar year 2029 to end of calendar year 2031. In addition, the Extended Support period for Oracle Database 23ai has been removed which doesn’t mean that there …

Important Update to Oracle Database 19c Support Timelines

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Mike.Dietrich Release Schedule 22

Long silence doesn’t mean that I am hiding. It just means that it’s very busy right now. And hopefully with less travel I will have more time to blog and reply also to your comments. Still, let me tell you about a very Important Update to Oracle Database 19c Support Timelines.

Important Update to Oracle Database 19c Support Timelines

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What has been updated?

As of November 19, 2024, the Support timelines for Oracle Database 19c have been adjusted. When you look at MOS Note: 742060.1 – Release Schedule of Current Database Releases you will see the new dates:

Premier Support until

Looking for support dates for Oracle Middleware, GoldenGate, JDK and more?

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Mike.Dietrich GoldenGate Release Schedule 0

Well, after a few wild travel days, this morning I received an email from my ex-VP in my presales days, Günther Stürner, asking whether I have a matrix for Oracle GoldenGate support time frames as we share them about the database in all our slide decks. And I confess, I had no such overview.

Later the day, Günther updated me – he found it and shared it with me, too (thank you!!).

And since the blog acts as sort of my brain dump, and since I never would have guessed that the OGG dates are kept in …

Premier Support for Oracle Database 21c extended

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Mike.Dietrich Oracle Database 21c Release Schedule 3

You are reading correctly: Premier Support for Oracle Database 21c extended is the headline.

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Isn’t it an innovation release?

Yes, you are right. Oracle Database 21c is an innovation release only. And we boldly tell you for a longer while: Move your production estate and everything tied to it from Long Term to Long Term Support Release. This means: Bring everything to Oracle Database 19c, and then later move on to Oracle Database 23c.

An Innovation Release such as Oracle Database 21c should be fine for developments using new features but ideally not used …

Can you use the UEK7 Linux kernel, or may you get some trouble?

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Mike.Dietrich Linux Release Schedule 13

Writing about a topic I have not much knowledge with is … no fun 🙂 But let me share this with you as one of my most trusted customers, Peter Lehmann, tested this and got trapped. The information being available was not crystal clear, and Peter‘s database did not start anymore when HUGEPAGES were enabled. So, the question is: Can you use the UEK7 Linux kernel, or may you get some trouble?

Can you use the UEK7 Linux kernel, or may you get some trouble?

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Where it all starts

Peter set up a new cluster with Oracle Linux 8.8 using an UEK7 kernel. And as …

Important clarifications to the Oracle Database Error Correction Policy

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Mike.Dietrich Best Practice Patch Recommendation Release Schedule 4

When I came back from vacation a few weeks ago (or was it almost 2 months ago??) I learned that we have added some Important clarifications to the Oracle Database Error Correction Policy. The clarifications are mainly about how long you will be able to request a single fix for a given Release Update (RU). Take this not as a constraint but a motivation to argue internally to not stay on too old Release Updates.

Important clarifications to the Oracle Database Error Correction Policy

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How to find the important notes?

It is not easy to find this important note in MOS, …

Restricted Upgrade Support added for several releases of Oracle Database

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Mike.Dietrich Release Schedule 5

You may have read my blog post from yesterday about the additional second year of Waived Extended Support for Oracle Database 19c. But there are more news such as Restricted Upgrade Support added for several releases of Oracle Database.

Restricted Upgrade Support added for several releases of Oracle Database

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What has been announced?

When you consult our single-source-of-truth MOS Note: 742060.1 – Release Schedule of Current Database Releases you may see also this message:

Restricted Upgrade Support has been added for 2024 through Customer Success Services (aka ACS)

But you have to look a bit closer and either go through the long …

2 years of Extended Support get waived for Oracle Database 19c

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Mike.Dietrich Release Schedule 7

I learned the other week that 2 years of Extended Support get waived for Oracle Database 19c. So, just in case you haven’t seen it, please take note since this is important to know.

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Where can you find the updated information?

You can find the updated information in our single-source-of-truth MOS Note: 742060.1 – Release Schedule of Current Database Releases explaining:

Premier Support (PS) ends April 30, 2024, two years of waived Extended Support (ES) fees will be in effect from May 1, 2024 until April 30, 2026. Fees will be required

Oracle Database 19c on Arm platform is available

Posted on July 5, 2023 by Mike.Dietrich Oracle Database 19c Release Schedule 18

I knew it would come – but we couldn’t tell you. And there were some rumors for a longer time. Anyhow, last week at the end of June 2023 Oracle Database 19c on Arm platform is available for download and in the Oracle Cloud. In case you wonder why I write “Arm” – I learned last week that the writing has been changed a while ago from ARM to Arm.

Oracle Database 19c on Arm platform is available

Where can you download it?

It is available for download already.

Oracle Database 19c(19.19) for Linux Arm (aarch64)
- https://www.oracle.com/database/technologies/oracle-database-software-downloads.html#19c
19c Client(19.19) and Instant Client 19c(19.19) for Linux on Arm (aarch64)

Virtual Classroom Seminar 16: Release and Patching Strategy for Oracle 19c and 23c

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Mike.Dietrich Patch Recommendation Release Schedule Workshop 9

There are just two days left to sign up for our Virtual Classroom Seminar 16: Release and Patching Strategy for Oracle 19c and 23c. We’ll talk to you on Wednesday, May 10 at 16:00h CET.

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What’s the topic?

We’ll try to cover everything for your best release and patching strategy with Oracle Database 19c of course, but also moving forward to Oracle Database 23c. Our big focus will be several aspects of patching. You’ll hear us talking not only about standard database patching but especially about patching in RAC environments.

We’ll put together a …

A patch (RU, OJVM, 32-bit) is not available yet – where will I find information?

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Mike.Dietrich Patch Recommendation Release Schedule 2

A longer while ago I wrote a blog post about the topic that a patch (RU, OJVM, 32-bit) is not available yet – where will I find information? But I wrote it too specific. And it is even hard for me to find my older blog post. Since several of you mailed me the past weeks with a variety of questions regarding patch availability I decided to write down my thoughts – but this time in a more generic way. And I hope it is helpful.

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Why are patches missing?

At first, I …

Patching News: RURs are gone – long live MRPs

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Mike.Dietrich Patch Recommendation Release Schedule 26

Sorry for the headline using TLAs (three letter acronyms). But I was tempted – and those of you being interested in Oracle Database patching my quickly realize that there are some Patching News: RURs are gone – long live MRPs.

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RURs are gone?

Andy Mendelsohn announced the MRPs (Monthly Recommended Patches) in October at DOAG Conference in Nuernberg already. Due to Oracle Cloud World bussiness, I’ve had no time to write about it yet. And the introduction of the MRPs means that we won’t produce RURs anymore after a transition grace period.…

Certifying an application on a specific RU-only is wrong

Posted on September 14, 2022 by Mike.Dietrich Best Practice Patch Recommendation Release Schedule 15

Well, there are still 80+ comments I need to answer and reply to on the blog. So please be patient – nothing gets deleted or ignored. But it happens that a topic crosses my inbox, and I need to blog about it right now. Today, it is a case where a customer asked me for advice, and mentioned on the side that they are going to 19.6.0 in OCI. In this relation I’d like to explain why Certifying an application on a specific RU- only is wrong.

Certifying an application on a specific RU only is wrong

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What’s the story?

At first, …

Why you simply can’t upgrade from Oracle 11g or 12c to Oracle 23c

Posted on August 1, 2022 by Mike.Dietrich Release Schedule 5

It’s time for a Monday morning rant. I receive more and more questions which all start similar. “My customer is on Oracle 11g and/or 12c, and want to know whether the next long term support release …“. Now let me clarify Why you simply can’t upgrade from Oracle 11g or 12c to Oracle 23c. And why you MUST upgrade to Oracle Database 19c.

Why you simply can't upgrade from Oracle 11g or 12c to Oracle 23c

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What is the intention?

After a lot of discussions across many regions, especially in JAPAC during the past weeks I realized that there is a reason for all …

Oracle Database 12.2.0.1 – End of Support and Patch Bundles

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Mike.Dietrich Release Schedule 1

This will be a short blog post but since I received a number of messages yesterday after I published my usual Patching all my environments with the April 2022 Patch Bundles blog post I need to clarify a few things regarding Oracle Database 12.2.0.1 – End of Support and Patch Bundles.

Oracle Database 12.2.0.1 - End of Support and Patch Bundles

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Premier Support for Oracle 12.2.0.1

If you remember this, the Premier Support period for Oracle 12.2.0.1 ended on November 30, 2020.

Limited Error Correction Support for Oracle 12.2.0.1

Since many of you were still on Oracle 12.2.0.1 when the end of Premier Support …

Why you can’t stay on Oracle Database 11g forever

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Mike.Dietrich Release Schedule 24

Oracle Database 11g? In 2022? Yes, I know – and you know too – there are Oracle 11g databases out there in production. And blindly I’d say: Too many. Of course, we are the “upgrade guys” trying to convince you to move to Oracle Database 19c. And I bet, for each of your 11g databases there’s a valid and legit reason why they haven’t upgraded yet. But there is one often neglected technical reason Why you can’t stay on Oracle Database 11g forever. So let me explain this below.

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Oracle Database 11g?

How to get access to download older Oracle versions?

Posted on January 13, 2022 by Mike.Dietrich Release Schedule 11

Today a friend asked me whether I know where to download Oracle 10g. Not a typo where I mixed 9 and 0 on my keyboard. So what if … How to get access to download older Oracle versions?

How to get access to download older Oracle versions?

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What’s on oracle.com and eDelivery

In the Software Delivery Cloud (formerly known as eDelivery) you will find the following base releases of the Oracle database:

How to get access to download older Oracle versions?

And the other source for downloads is oracle.com. But there you currently will be able to download Oracle Database 19c and Oracle Database 21c.

But there is no sight …

Bug Fixing Support for Oracle 18c ends June 30, 2021

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Mike.Dietrich Oracle Database 18c Release Schedule 0

Time flies so quickly. I remember when we had intense discussions with a very large automotive customer whether they should use Oracle 18c, or rather wait for Oracle 19c. They went straight to Oracle 19c. But I know that many customers out there are still on Oracle 18c. So this date coming up in less than 3 weeks is very important for you. Bug Fixing Support for Oracle 18c ends June 30, 2021.

Bug Fixing Support for Oracle 18c ends June 30, 2021

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Oracle Database 18c

I quickly checked on my blog. On March 20, 2018 I wrote When will Oracle Database 18c …

No RURs for 12.2.0.1 – and Oracle 11.2.0.4 left Extended Support

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Mike.Dietrich Patch Recommendation Release Schedule 0

Last week I blogged about the quarterly patching fun when applying the Release Updates to my environments. But I completely forget to mention and explain a few things. There are No RURs for 12.2.0.1 – and Oracle 11.2.0.4 left Extended Support.

No RURs for 12.2.0.1 - and Oracle 11.2.0.4 left Extended Support

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No Release Update Revisions for Oracle 12.2.0.1

Thanks to my friend Rodrigo Jorge who messaged me on the weekend. He goes way deeper with applying the quarterly patches and highlights the differences. And he recognized and blogged already about the fact that there are no RURs available for Oracle 12.2.0.1.

And …

Recap: Support Periods for Oracle 11.2.0.4, on-prem and in the cloud

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Mike.Dietrich Cloud Release Schedule 6

You may have recognized that I don’t update the blog as frequent as usual. But these times are very busy with plenty of conferences and many of our customers preparing for the move to 19c in the more quieter period of the year. And this is the right time to do a quick recap: Support Periods for Oracle 11.2.0.4, on-prem and in the cloud.

Recap: Support Period for Oracle 11.2.0.4, on-prem and in the cloud

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11.2.0.what?

Ah, well. Do you remember when Oracle Database 11.2.0.1 got released?

No worries, I’ve had to look it up by …

Oracle Long Term Support vs Innovation Releases

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Mike.Dietrich Release Schedule 0

Earlier this week I wrote about the recent exciting news: Oracle Database 19c Premier Support extended by more than 1 year. But if you went to MOS 742060.1 to read the fine print, you may have spotted another change as well: A differentiation between Oracle Long Term Support vs Innovation Releases.

Oracle Long Term Support vs Innovation Releases

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What is a Long Term Support Release?

MOS 742060.1 explains:

Oracle Database Long Term Releases are ideal for use cases that benefit from less frequent upgrades to newer releases. Long Term Releases offer the highest level of stability and the l

Oracle Database 19c Premier Support extended by more than 1 year

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Mike.Dietrich Release Schedule 0

Exciting news. And some of you may have spotted it already due to an update on the Single Source of Truth note, MOS 742060.1 last week: Oracle Database 19c Premier Support extended by more than 1 year.

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Oracle Database 19c Premier Support extended by more than 1 year

This is an important message some customers have already asked for. Originally, the Premier Support period for Oracle Database 19c was supposed to run until end of March 2023. Now you may relax in your chair as this seems unbelievably far away. But that’s only…

Release Schedule

Long-Term Release Update

What is a double-hop or multiple-hop upgrade?

What is a backport?

What has been announced?

What has been updated?

Isn’t it an innovation release?

Where it all starts

How to find the important notes?

What has been announced?

Where can you find the updated information?

Where can you download it?

What’s the topic?

Why are patches missing?

RURs are gone?

What’s the story?

What is the intention?

Premier Support for Oracle 12.2.0.1

Limited Error Correction Support for Oracle 12.2.0.1

Oracle Database 11g?

What’s on oracle.com and eDelivery

Oracle Database 18c

No Release Update Revisions for Oracle 12.2.0.1

11.2.0.what?

What is a Long Term Support Release?

Oracle Database 19c Premier Support extended by more than 1 year

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