How to Check your Exadata Version » Oracle Exadata Patching
Although patching an Oracle Database is a common task for most DBAs, Exadata Patching can be a more intricate process, as it incorporates the complexity of patching a number of components in the Exadata Systems.
Oracle Offers free, Exadata patching to their Exadata customers under Oracle Platinum Services. However, there are many times when patches need to be applied to your Exadata Machine that won’t work on Oracle’s schedule, needing between 8-12 prior notice.
In a traditional Database Environment, a Database Administrator would use patch GRID_HOME and ORACLE_HOME and patching is done, but in Exadata Patching you must consider the following components.
- Exadata Storage Server
- Database server
- InfiniBand switch
- Additional components, ex. Ethernet
Patches can be divided in 3 different parts:
Exadata Storage Cell Software Version
# imageinfo
Kernel version: 2.6.32-400.11.1.el5uek #1 SMP Thu Nov 11 03:00:09 PST 2012 x86_64
Cell version: OSS_11.2.3.2.1_LINUX.X64_130109
Cell rpm version: cell-11.2.3.2.1_LINUX.X64_130109-1
Active image version: 11.2.3.2.1.130109
Active image activated: 2012-01-10 11:03:00 -0400
Active image status: success
Active system partition on device: /dev/md4
Active software partition on device: /dev/md
Exadata Database Software Version
$ cd /u01/app/oracle/product/11.2.0.3/dbhome_1
$ cd OPatch/
$ ./opatch lsinventory -detail -oh /u01/app/oracle/product/11.2.0.3/dbhome_1
Oracle Interim Patch Installer version 11.2.0.3.3
Copyright (c) 2012, Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.
Oracle Home : /u01/app/oracle/product/11.2.0.3/dbhome_1
Central Inventory : /u01/app/oraInventory
from : /u01/app/oracle/product/11.2.0.3/dbhome_1/oraInst.loc
OPatch version : 11.2.0.3.3
OUI version : 11.2.0.3.0
Exadata Grid (CRS) Software Version
$ ./opatch lsinventory -detail -oh /u01/app/11.2.0.3/grid
Oracle Interim Patch Installer version 11.2.0.3.3
Copyright (c) 2012, Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.
Oracle Home : /u01/app/11.2.0.3/grid
Central Inventory : /u01/app/oraInventory
from : /u01/app/11.2.0.3/grid/oraInst.loc
OPatch version : 11.2.0.3.3
OUI version : 11.2.0.3.0
For more information on the Exadata software versions and patching methods, you can check the Oracle documentation here.