​4 Actions to Perform Before Updating Exadata Software

Oracle Exadata Database machine built on multiple software which required updates periodically. Effective plan to update the software help to execute task effectively.

Exadata software updates apply to three major component on exadata machine. 

• Exadata Database Server Update
• Exadata Storage Server Update
• Exadata RDMA Network Fabric switches​​

Further Exadata Server and Storage server updates contains.

• Database Server Operating System
• Exadata System Software
• Oracle Database
• Oracle Grid Infrastructure
• Firmware for various hardware components

Below are the 4 actions you should perform before updating any software on Exadata machines, this can be consider as pre-requisite for update process.

1. First identify the target release to update any EXASTACK components which can be determined from one of the below reference.

• You can check EXACHK report recommendations in MAA scorecard section refer Oracle Support Document 888828.1

2. Execute Oracle EXACHK utility. Make sure you are using latest version of EXACHK utility. Review the below parameter in the report for further actions.

• Review MAA scorecard section for recommendation version. Which will help you to evaluate current software version and compatibility for updating the software.
• Check the report and correct FAIL and WARNING checks derived from the EXACHK report.
• Review MAA scorecard for any critical issue which should be resolve before moving to updated version.
• EXACHK utility should be execute before and after update to check any critical issues before and after software update.

3. Execute Pre-Requisites Check.

• Full backup should be completed before execute any updates wherever applicable.
• Download all the target software version and latest utilities to perform software updates.
• Execute pre-requisites  check and correct any existing issues shown in the report.
• Make sure to execute all pre-requisites check before and after upgrade

4. Review the update related latest documentation.

• Make sure you review all the updated documents on My Oracle Support Document 1270094.1 which will help to identify if there is any critical issues which is not checked during the pre-requisites check.
• Review all README document for each software updates and understand process to update the software.
• In case there is any challenge or issue, raise a SR with Oracle and get help for further steps.

Hope this will help you to plan better to update software on Exadata Machine.

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