How to Apply Patches to an Oracle 12c Database on RHEL 7 Without OEM and Limited Internet Access

In the realm of database management, especially with older systems like Oracle 12c running on RHEL 7, staying up-to-date with necessary software patches is crucial for maintaining system security and performance. However, when you find yourself in a situation where you do not have access to Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM) and the internet is not readily available, the process of applying patches can become more challenging but not impossible. This article will guide you through the steps to successfully apply Oracle database patches in such scenarios.

Addressing Patch Distribution Challenges

When dealing with patch distribution in environments where direct internet access to the Oracle support site is unavailable, there are several strategies to consider. First, ensure that you have a maintenance contract with Oracle, which will allow you to download the necessary patches from Oracle's support site. Once you have the patches, you might need to use alternative transfer methods like FTP, SFTP, or SCP to move the patch from a machine that has internet access to your database server. Alternatively, patches can also be distributed via removable media such as USB drives.

Downloading and Distributing Patches

Download the Patch: Begin by downloading the patch onto a machine that has internet access. Oracle supports patch distribution in ZIP format, which makes it portable and easy to transfer assets to another machine.

Transfer the Patch: Once downloaded, you can copy the patch to your target machine using various methods. For instance, if you are in a network environment with limited internet access, you might prefer using SFTP or SCP over FTP due to its enhanced security features. If you are physically close or have dedicated hardware for data transfer, you can use USB drives or other removable media for patch delivery.

Applying the Patch Using Command Line Tools

With the patch transferred to your database server, the next step is to apply it using the command-line utilities provided with Oracle's patching tools. The opatch and datapatch utilities are your primary tools for this task. These utilities are designed to streamline the patch application process without the need for the Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM) GUI.

Using opatch

Source the opatch: Before applying the patch, ensure that the opatch utility is in your PATH environment variable. This can typically be done by sourcing the opatch directory's file, which sets up all necessary environment variables.

Apply the Patch: Use the opatch utility to apply the patch using a command such as:

opatch apply patch-file-path

Using datapatch

After the patch is successfully applied, you may need to run the datapatch utility to ensure that all database components are correctly updated. The datapatch utility is specifically designed for database patches and can be invoked like this:

datapatch --verbose --check

datapatch --applied --check

datapatch --boolean

These commands will help verify that all necessary patches have been installed properly, and there are no issues that require attention.

Conclusion

While the process of applying patches to an Oracle 12c database on a RHEL 7 system without OEM and limited internet access can be complex, following these steps will help you manage your Oracle database efficiently. Ensure that you have the necessary permissions and that you download the patches from official Oracle channels to maintain the integrity and security of your system.

Keywords

Oracle 12c Database RHEL 7 Offline Patching SFTP