Exadata Patching - Cell Server

Cell storage patching can be done by patchmgr utility which is used to do a patching in rolling as well in non-rolling fashion.

Syntax: ./patchmgr -cells cell_group -patch [-rolling] [-ignore_alerts] [- smtp_from "addr" -smtp_to "addr1 addr2 addr3 ..."]

Here addr is the sending mail id which is used to send status of patching and addr1,addr2,addr3 are receiving mail id to receive the status of patching.

Step-1  First note down the current image version of cell by executing 

#imageinfo

Step-2  Go to cell patch directory where patch has been copied

/19625719/Infrastructure/11.2.3.3.1/ExadataStorageServer_InfiniBandSwitch/patch_11.2.3.3.1.140708

Step-3  Reset the server to a known state using the following command

./patchmgr -cells cell_group -reset_force

Step-4  Clean up any previous patchmgr utility runs using the following command

./patchmgr -cells cell_group -cleanup

Step-5 Verify that the cells meet prerequisite checks using the following command

Things To Do Before Applying Bundle Patch On Exadata

One of our reader asked us, what we should take care before applying the bundle patch on Exadata, so thought to write this article where we have mentioned some points based on our patching experience, we can say it's part of bundle patch pre-preparation.

Missing of single point can lead you to difficult stage which we can eliminate by planing better.

               "Always plan for worst to do the best"

• Make sure that you have backup plan for Exadata box connectivity in case you are doing things remotely
• Install VNC client on your workstation
• Install VNC server on Exadata in case if you required GUI. You can also use Xmanager and Xming to take GUI from your workstation