best practices for maintaining oracle fusion middleware ken vincent senior principle technical...

Best Practices for Maintaining Oracle Fusion Middleware

Ken Vincent

Senior Principle Technical Support Engineer

Oracle Fusion Middleware

September 30, 2014

Copyright © 2014, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. | 3

Safe Harbor StatementThe following is intended to outline our general product direction. It is intended for information purposes only, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. The development, release, and timing of any features or functionality described for Oracle’s products remains at the sole discretion of Oracle.


Program Agenda

Introduction - Oracle Services Overview

Understanding Fusion Middleware Maintenance

My Oracle Support Tools to Help You

Resources to Help You Go Forward

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2

3

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Copyright © 2014, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. |

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Tools to assist with patching and upgrades


Get Proactive Portfolio—an integral component of your Premier Support Contract

Helping you get the most value fromOracle Premier Support


Understanding Fusion Middleware Maintenance

2


Products and Components to Consider

Oracle WebLogic Server

Primary Oracle Fusion Middleware product(s) installed

Bundled components which provide underlying features

Database Client files (in addition to a remote Database Server)

Java JDK/JRE (used by Oracle products and your applications)


Why a Maintenance Strategy is Important

Security

Quickly address new issues

Proactively fix known issues

Keep your entire environment compatible between components

Stay within Premier Support guidelines throughout the life cycle


Lifetime Support and Error Correction• Lifetime Support Policy Dates

• Premier and Extended dates

• Sustaining Support is forever

• Error Correction Policy• Error correction available for the current

release until end of Premier or Extended

• Previous releases have a Grace Period date based on a subsequent release

• Doc ID 944866.1 helps planning by providing all Grace Period dates.

https://support.oracle.com/epmos/faces/DocumentDisplay?id=944866.1


Introduction to Patch Set Releases

• Patch Sets are planned releases to maintain a product though a product’s life cycle – To update existing installations (e.g. 11.1.1.6 to 11.1.1.7)– To install a new installation at the same level (e.g. 11.1.1.7 straightaway)

• Patch Sets are usually intended for bug fixes but also introduce new features, improved documentation and functionality

• Before installing Patch Sets, there must be an understanding of product documentation, important links, and their integration.


Some Topics Which May Be Confusing

• Multiple downloads from various sources• Following proper steps for a specific situation or component• Integrating a Patch Set release within a new installation• Integrated procedure with Oracle WebLogic Server• Different Patch Set release schedules


Download, Installation, and Configuration Readme

• Task 1: Review and Make Note of Your Operating System Capabilities (32-bit or 64-bit)

• Task 2: Review the Certification, System Requirements, and Interoperability Information

• Task 3: Understand the Types of Oracle Fusion Middleware Installers Available in This Release

• Task 4: Select an Oracle Fusion Middleware Software Download Site

• Task 5: Download the Software Required for Your Starting Point

• Task 6: Refer to the Installation and Configuration Documentation for Next Steps

http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E23104_01/download_readme.htm


Other Utilities Used for Maintenance

• Repository Creation Utility (RCU) installs the schemas– May be run again to expand your environment

• Patch Set Assistant (PSA) updates existing schemas – After a Patch Set has been applied

• OPatch Utility installs interim patches– WLS has used Smart Update, 12c now uses OPatch– OPatch Installs Patch Set Updates (in between Patch Sets)– OPatch installs Bundle Patches– OPatch installs Security Patch Updates


Java SE (JDK/JRE) Updates Are Separate

• Java updates are always recommended (e.g. Java 1.6.0_xx to 1.6.0_yy)• Java upgrades are subject to certification (e.g. Java 6 to 7)• Test features you use and your applications• JDK location is in configuration files• There can be more than one JDK on system• Many products on system may be sharing a JDK

Considerations When Updating the JDK


Tips for Maintaining Java with FMW/WLS

• Install a separate Java directory• Administer a directory specifically for FMW

• Avoid unexpected system updates

• Plan testing activities

• Choose a generic directory• Avoid continual config file updates

• Just swap out directories

• Set your PATH and JAVA_HOME


My Oracle Support Tools to Help You3


Topics for My Oracle Support Tools

• Get Proactive!• Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA)• Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM)• Certification Tool• Lifecycle Advisors• Recommended Patches


• Index page to most of the topics discussed in this presentation

• Help you solve problems without having to log a SR

• Streamline and simplify your daily operations

• Reduce risks and maximize up-time and lower your organizations costs through preventative maintenance

Oracle Premier Support: Get Proactive! (Doc ID 432.1)

Get Proactive



• This note is index page to most of the topics discussed in this presentation

• Help you solve problems without having to log a SR

• Streamline and simplify your daily operations

• Reduce risks and maximize up-time and lower your organizations costs through preventative maintenance

Oracle Premier Support: Get Proactive! (Doc ID 432.1)

Get Proactive



Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA)

• RDA is a command-line diagnostic tool • Provides a unified package of support diagnostics tools and preventive

solutions• Captured data aids in problem diagnosis• Can reduce Service Request resolution time• Can see components installed and patches already applied

Why is this related to maintenance?


Configure RDA with Fusion Middleware 11g/12c• 11g installed in ORACLE_HOME/rda

– With all Fusion Middleware 11g products, except standalone WebLogic Server

• 12c installed in ORACLE_HOME/oracle_common/rda – With all Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.2+), including standalone WebLogic Server

• Automatically updated quarterly if using Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM) in connected mode

• To configure RDA refer to:–Get Proactive with Fusion Middleware : Resolve Problems Faster! Use

Remote Diagnostic Agent (Doc ID 1498376.1)



• Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM) captures configuration data from your installation and uploads it to Oracle

• Oracle Configuration Manager Collection Overview (Doc ID 728985.5)

• Configuration details displayed in My Oracle Support.

Oracle Configuration Manager

OCM



Oracle Configuration Manager Advantages

• Service Request Priority Handling if your OCM data associated• Make use of Configuration Change History

–Historical data allows two snapshots to be compared to report differences

• Data collected is used to provide custom recommendations–Health Checks monitor configuration data automatically–Patch Recommendations list patches and updates for your Oracle

software


Oracle Configuration Manager: Security & Privacy

Security Concerns?• OCM does not collect:

–Business transactions, production data or passwords• You may choose between manual or automated upload• SSL is used for all communications• Data only visible for users with your Customer Support Identifier• Oracle Configuration Manager Security Overview (Doc ID 728982.5)



Configure OCM with Fusion Middleware 11g/12c

OCM is installed with all 11g/12c products including WebLogic Server

OCM is configured during installation/configuration – If you select “Yes” to Receiving Security Updates

To configure OCM post installation/configuration refer to:–Fusion Middleware RDA/OCM Documentation (Doc ID 1419273.1) –A Quick and Easy Guide to Configure OCM (Doc ID 1096871.1)




• Step 1: Click on the Collector tab

• Step 2: ______

• Step 3: ______

Learn More – Preview of Collector Tab

My Oracle Support


• Click on the Collector tab

Collector Tab

My Oracle Support



• Step 2: Download latest OCM release

• Step 3: ______

Collector Tab – Download Selection

My Oracle Support



• Download the latest OCM release if you aren’t using OCM in connected mode

Collector Tab – Download and Try It!

My Oracle Support



• Step 2: Download the latest OCM release if you aren’t using OCM in connected mode

• Step 3: Review the OCM documentation

Collector Tab – OCM Documentation

My Oracle Support



• Download the latest OCM release if you aren’t using OCM in connected mode

• Review the OCM documentation

Learn More About Oracle Configuration Manager!

My Oracle Support


My Oracle Support Certification

• Certification– A certification is any combination of Oracle, third-party products and operating

systems that Oracle has tested and confirms work together.

• My Oracle Support accessed via Certifications tab– Simple, easy to use, source of truth for certified Oracle Products– A must use tool for planning maintainable Oracle ecosystems

• Easy to lookup popular certifications• Available on the newer versions of each product


Certification Lookup Results

Certification Questions?

Try the New Middleware Certification Community!

• No Service Request Required

• Staffed with Oracle Support Engineers


Upgrade Lifecycle Advisors – Most Popular

• Upgrade Lifecycle Advisors follow a typical customer use case • Upgrade Guidance from to Fusion Middleware 11g

–From Oracle Application Server 10g or WebLogic Server 9.2–Currently working on 12c

• Refers you to other Doc IDs, Multimedia & Manuals as required• Step by step format

(Doc ID 250.1)



• Six Phases of Upgrade

Upgrade Lifecycle Advisors – Navigation Demo

Lifecycle Advisors



Six Phases of Upgrade

Lifecycle Advisors



• Check of steps as you review them. Progress tracked between visits

Step by Step Guide

Lifecycle Advisors




• Available Multimedia Content

Multimedia Training

Lifecycle Advisors




• Available Multimedia content

Multimedia Training

Lifecycle Advisors


• Helps you to establish a patching strategy. Takes you through four phases of Evaluate, Plan, Test and Implement

• Contains inline Multimedia Content & Manuals as required

Patching & Maintenance Lifecycle Advisor

My Oracle Support


Patching & Maintenance Lifecycle Advisor

• Covers patching tools and concepts such as:–Fusion Middleware 11g Patch Sets and Patch Set Installers–Fusion Middleware 11g Interim, Merge, Bundle and Backport Patches

• OPatch• Smart Update

–Critical Patch Updates (CPU)–PatchSet Updates (PSU)

(Doc ID 305.1)



Patch Recommendations

• List patches and updates for Oracle software• Recommended Patches include:

– Security Patch Updates (SPU)– PatchSet Updates (PSU)– Patch Bundles– Performance related patches

• My Oracle Support Recommended Patches for Oracle WebLogic Server & Oracle Fusion Middleware Products (Doc ID 859115.1)

(Doc ID 859115.1)




• Click the Patches & Updates Tab

• Then the Search Tab

Patches and Updates Tab

My Oracle Support


• Click the Patches & Updates Tab

• Click the Recommended Patch Advisor in the Patch Search Region

• Select your Product and Version then search

Search Tab Has a Recommended Patch Advisor

My Oracle Support

Recommendations across all Systems (OCM only)

1. Click here for Manual Search

1. Click Patch Advisor

3. Search

2. Select Product & Version


Resources to Help You Go Forward4


One Stop Shop: Information Center!






Key My Oracle Support Documents

• Doc ID 1567707.1 - Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c Release Announcements

• Doc ID 1510284.1 - Oracle Identity Access Management 11g R2 (11.1.2) Announcements

• Doc ID 1373061.1 - Steps to Maintain Oracle Forms & Reports 11g Release 2 (11.1.2)

• Doc ID 1073776.1 - Steps to Maintain Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1)

• Doc ID 1591483.1 - What is Installed in My Middleware or Oracle home?

• Doc ID 1587524.1 - Using OPatch 13 for Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.2+)

• Doc ID 1591487.1 - Using OPatch 11.1 for Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g (11.1.1/11.1.2)









Recap Recommendations

Know about Oracle Services and Premier Support value

Understand Basic Fusion Middleware maintenance concepts

Take advantage of My Oracle Support Tools

Use Support resources to help you

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Thank you!


Q/A - Need Help After This - See Below• Question/basic issue? Share your enquiry with My Oracle Support Community (MOSC)

• Patch availability, behavior clarification, simple errors

• More involved questions / problems log a Service Request via My Oracle Support• Detailed consultative enquiries. Multiple / complex failures, errors, unexpected behaviour

• Cross suite questions or issues (e.g. Patch set planning / application, CPU questions) • Community post: Choose “Oracle Application Server”

• Logging SR: Choose product “Oracle Fusion Middleware”

• Product specific questions / issues (e.g. bundle or interim patches) • Community post or logging SR: Choose the appropriate product

https://community.oracle.com/community/support/middleware

https://support.oracle.com/


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60Copyright © 2014, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. |

Extra:

Every Wonder what all the different digits in a version mean?

Both Patch Sets and Patch Set Updates have a direct impact.

See the next two slides…


Understanding Version Numbers (11g and 12c)Example:

Oracle Access Manager

11. 1. 2. 2. 1 Major Version

General identifier representing major new edition withsignificant new functionality.

Minor Version

First three decimal places together describe the minor version number of a major release. 11gR1 (11.1.1) and 11gR2 (11.1.2) are “minor” versions of 11g. “Minor” versions can contain significant new functionality as well as bug fixes

Patch Setrelease number

Patch sets primarily deliver bug fixesMay include new features – notably WebCenter 11.1.1.8

Patch Set Update Number

Patch Set Updates released via the “proactive patching program” are named by incrementing the fifth decimal place


WebLogic Server Has New Version FormatOracle WebLogic Server

10 . 3 .6

12. 1. 2. 0. 2 Major + Minor Version Patch Set Update (PSUs)

0 = No Patch Sets released2 = Two proactive bundles released

Major Version

The versioning system for 10.3 derives from earlier release structure.

Patch Update Number

Similar purpose to a Patch SetOften referred to as an Upgrade

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