Oracle EBS R12.2 Online patching via ADOP

Oracle EBS R12.2 Online patching via ADOP

Recently, had an opportunity to attend an interesting session orchestrated by ATG team at Oracle to discuss the new online patching tool (ADOP) in R12.2. Loads of changes to the entire patching process yet mammoth advantages.Here is the brief description.

My understanding is the new ADOP process got 5 phases.

Prepare: Copies the production application code, which in turn creates so called patch edition. During this stage, patch edition and the actual run edition of the file systems are synchronized. It’s in a way easier to sync the patch and run edition. But becomes more complicated during the database’s prepare phase. Even in database, the ADOP process creates a patch version. Here, code objects in the patch edition got just pointers to the actual run edition. Interestingly, none of the storage objects (tables, indexes, etc.) are not copied though.

Apply: In this phase, ADOP applies one or more patches to the copy edition. It executes the patch drivers to the patch edition.

Finalize: This is the final online phase where ADOP process performs tasks such as compile invalid objects, pre-compute DDL to be run. Once this process is completed, the next phase ‘Cutover’ can be scheduled.

Cutover: This is the phase that requires predictable downtime. Here the actual migration of run version to patch version in both file system and database occurs. A restart of middle-tier is required at this stage. Per Oracle, we still are able to perform certain patches in hotpatch mode that doesn’t require downtime. Details to follow upon further hands-on.

Cleanup: Literally clean-up occurs after the users are back online. In this phase ADOP starts cleaning up the old editions to recover space.

ADOP’s Major capabilities are not limited to the following.

• A patch cycle can be aborted any time before cutover phase.
• As the new ADOP process maintains a copy of the file system, the size would absolutely double.
• System and seed tablespaces would now require 100% more space.
• You can have one instance top to point to multiple environments.

As database edition based patching cycle is significant portion of 12.2’s patching, I will address it as a separate post in coming days.

A special thanks to Oracle’s ATG team.

Prior R12.2 related posting can be found in

https://oracletechnologistblog.wordpress.com/?s=12.2
Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.2 Information Center – Implement (Doc ID 1583153.1)

Using the Online Patching Readiness Report in Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.2 (Doc ID 1531121.1)

Using the Online Patching Readiness Report in Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.2 (Doc ID 1531121.1)

Oracle EBS R12.2 – Key Features – Revisited

As we get closer to EBS 12.2 release, I had to revisit my earlier post on R12.2 key features to ensure its up to date. Here are some of the stand-out feature set that may help you to get a quick glimpse at.

Native Technology Stack Installation

• Now tech. stack has better integration with Oracle Universal Installer

• Another big one. Yes, Faster Technology Stack Installation. At least 25% much faster.

• Silent-mode calls to install and configure Oracle Database 11.2, WebLogic Server (WLS) and Oracle HTTP Server (OHS)

• AutoConfig is tightly integrated with native technology stack installation

 Database RMAN Restore

• Simplifies Integration with Grid Infrastructure.

• Seamless integration with different storage methods (OCFS2, NFS, etc)

• Faster integration with Automatic Storage Management (ASM)

 Dual File System

• A must needed feaure,  dual file system capability is instrumental for 12.2’s Online Patching feature that allows users to continue using the application while patching.

• Dual File System allows replacing files with minimum downtime that leads to improved High Availability

Dual Port Configuration

As part of online patching feature, Oracle requires DPC (Dual Port Configuration)

• Dual Port Pool configuration

• Easier port assignments

• Allows port customization in run-time and patching file systems

Optional 11g Home for Upgrades

I always wonder why we can’t simply try to use an existing Oracle home during configuration. Well, Oracle incorporated this capability in 12.2.

• Allow integration with an existing 11gR2 Oracle Home

• Simplified Technology Stack Upgrade

• Reduced Upgrade time

WebLogic Server Features

As middleware technology stack is based on the new improved Weblogic that has atleast the following key capabilities to help manage the EBS environment better. As WLST 11gR2 is what is slated to get bundled with 12.2, its interesting to know if Oracle will WLST 12c into the mix over 11gR2

• • WebLogic Scripting Tool (WLST)

• High Availability & Failover

• Consolidated Administration, Configuration and Deployment

• Enhanced Monitoring & Messaging via centralized service administration.

• Troubleshooting framework

• Integration with OAM

• WLS-Specific configuration setups

• Proactive Management via Server & Performance Monitoring

• Easier Problem Solving & Performance Tuning

• Better resource planning via historical reporting

 Online Patching

In 12.2 all patching operations are online. In other words, Oracle E‐Business Suite will remain available to users during patching operations.  EBS 12.2 will take advantage of 11gR2 Database’s Edition-Based Redefinition features to provide support for Online Patching.  Edition-Based Redefinition enables you to upgrade the database component of an application while it is in use, thereby minimizing or eliminating down time.

• Downtime will be measured in minutes not hours or days

• Downtime windows will be very predictable

• Patches are applied while the Production Application remains online

• Allows an application to efficiently store multiple editions of its Application Definition in the same database

• Provides an isolation mechanism (The Edition) that allows pre-upgrade and post-upgrade schemas to co-exist

• Client code chooses the particular “Edition” that it wants to connect to.

Once again thanks to Ivo Dujmovic and Max Arderius from Oracle on sharing valuable information.