2. Best Practices for Maintaining Oracle Fusion Middleware
Welcome to Oracle OpenWorld 2014!
Best Practices for Maintaining Oracle Fusion Middleware [CON8285]
Ken Vincent
Senior Principle Technical Support Engineer
Oracle Fusion Middleware
September 30, 2014

4. Program Agenda 1
Introduction - Oracle Services Overview Understanding Fusion Middleware Maintenance My Oracle Support Tools to Help You Resources to Help You Go Forward 2
Maintaining Oracle Fusion Middleware may become complex at times. It would take more than an hour to fully present all topics.
It also takes experience, one step at a time, depending on what needs to be updated.
With an understanding of some basic concepts and where to go for help, hopefully it can be an easier road to follow after this presentation. 3 4

5. Oracle Services
Enabling the success of your Oracle hardware and software investments
Oracle Experts Helping You Succeed with Your Oracle Investments
Oracle offers a comprehensive suite of services to help you. Look for these services and their sessions at Oracle OpenWorld.
This presentation is from Oracle Support perspective, including My Oracle Support tools and resources.
Complete Support for Oracle Hardware, Software, and Engineered Systems
Mission Critical Support Services for All Oracle Applications and Technologies
Your Complete Training Source for Oracle Hardware and Software
Extend Your Oracle Investments to the Cloud with Value, Choice, and Confidence

6. Oracle Premier Support
Comprehensive Coverage
Service and Support
Tools and Resources
Product Innovation
Quickly diagnose and resolve issues
Expert technical support
Rapid-response field service
Lifetime Support
Get the most of your Oracle products with proactive services
Oracle knowledge base
Product health checks
My Oracle Support Community
Keep pace with change and capitalize on new opportunities
Updates
New releases
Tools to assist with patching and upgrades
Oracle Premier Support provides you with all the essential support services you expect:
Service and Support to diagnose and resolve issues
Oracle tools and resources to really get the most of you products, and
Innovation – through updates and upgrades to software and integrated software (such as firmware)
All of the tools and recommendations are included in Oracle Premier Support.

7. Helping you get the most value from Oracle Premier Support
Oracle Premier Support includes many tools and resources that customers don’t always know about. We study the most common issues and then try to present an easy way to avoid them.
We have a program called the “Get Proactive” initiative to help you become aware of and use the Oracle proactive support tools and best practices which are available to you as a part of Oracle Premier Support.
Get Proactive Portfolio—an integral component of your Premier Support Contract

8. Understanding Fusion Middleware Maintenance2
Understanding Fusion Middleware Maintenance
Lets move onto our next agenda item…
We cannot provide you comprehensive maintenance instruction in one presentation, but lets get started on the right foot and get a basic understanding.

9. 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)
There are many parts to Oracle Fusion Middleware and each may have separate maintenance steps.
These components are designed to be compatible with each other. If following recommended maintenance steps, you can assure this compatibility stays in tact.

10. 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
These may seem obvious reasons, but what does it mean to stay within Premier Support guidelines?
What is often misunderstood is the error correction policy. To be truly proactive error correction is needed, but it does expire on the base release and patch set releases leading up to the terminal release. Oracle recommends following the schedule as close as possible.

11. 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 helps planning by providing all Grace Period dates.
Without going into too much detail, the Lifetime Support Policy provides what is included with each level of service. Dates are different for each product, but the Error Correction policy provides a guideline for planning purposes.
Upon a new Patch Set release, there is a 1 year Grace Period before error correction support expires. The terminal Patch Set continues until the end of Premier or Extended Support dates. There are exceptions, e.g., some products at received an extension to FMW 12c versions currently released have a 2 year grace period.

12. 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 to )
To install a new installation at the same level (e.g 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.

13. 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
Oracle realizes the amount of information provided at release time is a lot to consume. There is a good starting point though…

14. 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
This series of documents has been a joint project between Support, Release and Documentation teams
Each release is given a series of major tasks to get started to install new or update an existing install
At the end of this presentation there are some documents to get you started and refer to this Readme.

15. 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
We could have a full presentation on each of these, but the RCU and PSA are more with the initial install and Patch Set releases
OPatch is a very important part of maintenance. At the end of this presentation there are some documents to get you started.
We also have some tools on My Oracle Support to help you

16. Java SE (JDK/JRE) Updates Are Separate
Considerations When Updating the JDK
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
A very popular subject to update the JDK either installed with or used with Oracle Fusion Middleware
There is an enhancement request and it is expected to be easier to manage in the next 12c release

17. 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
Java is usually installed with a version number in the directory, and this presents a problem if you need to update quite a few files, and sometimes on a regular basis. It IS ok to manage the JDK naming structure for the administration of your other Oracle products. Doc ID gives all considerations for Fusion Middleware installations.

18. My Oracle Support Tools to Help You3
My Oracle Support Tools to Help You
Lets move onto our next agenda item…
My Oracle Support has tools and other guided documents to help you, in some cases even videos to provide instruction.

19. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools
Get Proactive!
Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA)
Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM)
Certification Tool
Lifecycle Advisors
Recommended Patches
There are a few topics we will introduce. The first one is “Get Proactive!” - mentioned in the beginning.

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

21. Oracle Premier Support: Get Proactive! (Doc ID 432.1)
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
To get started, select Oracle Fusion Middleware and a series of topics will be presented to help you Prevent, Resolve and Upgrade.
We are not going to go into further detail here, but please check it out. You will see some of the topics we discuss here.

22. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools
Get Proactive!
Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA)
Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM)
Certification Tool
Lifecycle Advisors
Recommended Patches
You may have heard of the RDA with SRs. It also has a place in maintenance activities. Lets learn how…

23. Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA)
Why is this related to maintenance?
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
The last bullet, checking the component Inventory and patches applied can be important
Once you learn how to run RDA, it it helpful to get a snapshot of your installation
You may need help deciding which patches apply to your system

24. 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 ( ), 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 )
Doc ID contains RDA setup syntax and links for specific FMw component RDA notes. This is a index page for all FMW components.

25. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools
Get Proactive!
Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA)
Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM)
Certification Tool
Lifecycle Advisors
Recommended Patches
Yes, we are moving right along here. All of these tools come together and complement each other in various ways.

26. Oracle Configuration Manager
OCM
Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM) captures configuration data from your installation and uploads it to Oracle
Oracle Configuration Manager Collection Overview (Doc ID )
Configuration details displayed in My Oracle Support.
It is sort of like your configuration in the Cloud.

27. 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

28. 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 )
Doc ID contains link to OCM documentation on Security Overview.

29. 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 )
A Quick and Easy Guide to Configure OCM (Doc ID )
OCM location changed from $MW_HOME/utils/ccr (11g) to $ORACLE_HOME/oracle_common/ccr (12c)
CCR = Customer Configuration Repository

30. Learn More – Preview of Collector Tab
My Oracle Support
Step 1: Click on the Collector tab
Step 2: ______
Step 3: ______
See next series of screens for the navigation and features of the Collector Tab…

31. Collector Tab My Oracle Support Click on the Collector tab
Go to next slide…

32. Collector Tab – Download Selection
My Oracle Support
Step 1: Click on the Collector tab
Step 2: Download latest OCM release
Step 3: ______
You can download the latest release. (If already using in connected mode, you should not download now)
Go to next slide…

33. Collector Tab – Download and Try It!
My Oracle Support
Click on the Collector tab
Download the latest OCM release if you aren’t using OCM in connected mode
Most people do not install OCM at install time. Here you can make specific plans.
Go to next slide…

34. Collector Tab – OCM Documentation
My Oracle Support
Step 1: Click on the Collector tab
Step 2: Download the latest OCM release if you aren’t using OCM in connected mode
Step 3: Review the OCM documentation
Go to next slide for better view…

35. Learn More About Oracle Configuration Manager!
My Oracle Support
Click on the Collector tab
Download the latest OCM release if you aren’t using OCM in connected mode
Review the OCM documentation
You can see the documentation available.
This completes the navigation demo. OCM is easy to find!

36. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools
Get Proactive!
Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA)
Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM)
Certification Tool
Lifecycle Advisors
Recommended Patches
Obviously OCM is a big deal to Oracle, we encourage you to try it.
Next we have the Certification Tab. Certification is important to maintenance because you should always check different versions of products integrated together. Not in the same Middleware home, but remote connections, etc.

37. My Oracle Support 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
The Certification Tab does not replace OTN matrices, but we are going in a good direction. The data within should be exactly the same. Matrices may just have more detail, more combinations, different style of managing data.

38. Certification Lookup Results
Certification Questions?
Try the New Middleware Certification Community!
No Service Request Required
Staffed with Oracle Support Engineers
See also Doc ID
Community link -

39. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools
Get Proactive!
Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA)
Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM)
Certification Tool
Lifecycle Advisors
Recommended Patches
Lifecycle Advisors are one of the features from Get Proactive!

40. Upgrade Lifecycle Advisors – Most Popular
(Doc ID 250.1)
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 is an index page to access component/product specific Upgrade Advisors.
Eg. Upgrade Advisor: OracleAS 10g Forms/Reports Services to Oracle Middleware 11g Rel
Go to next slide for screenshots…

41. Upgrade Lifecycle Advisors – Navigation Demo
Six Phases of Upgrade
Go to next slide for enhanced view…

42. Six Phases of Upgrade Lifecycle Advisors Six Phases of Upgrade
Go to next slide…

43. Step by Step Guide Lifecycle Advisors Six Phases of Upgrade
Check of steps as you review them. Progress tracked between visits
Go to next slide for enhanced view…

44. Step by Step Guide Lifecycle Advisors Six Phases of Upgrade
Check of steps as you review them. Progress tracked between visits
Go to next slide…

45. Multimedia Training Lifecycle Advisors Six Phases of Upgrade
Check of steps as you review them. Progress tracked between visits
Available Multimedia Content
See the Multimedia on the right. Go to next slide for enhanced view…

46. Multimedia Training Lifecycle Advisors Six Phases of Upgrade
Check of steps as you review them. Progress tracked between visits
Available Multimedia content

47. Patching & Maintenance Lifecycle Advisor
My Oracle Support
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
Upgrade Lifecycle Advisor is our popular one. There are other Lifecycle Advisors - Like Patching and Maintenance!

48. Patching & Maintenance Lifecycle Advisor
(Doc ID 305.1)
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)
Access the Patching & Maintenance Advisor on My Oracle Support by searching for Doc ID 305.1

49. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools
Get Proactive!
Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA)
Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM)
Certification Tool
Lifecycle Advisors
Recommended Patches
Recommended Patches is a name of a My Oracle Support tool, and it has its own tab.

50. Patch Recommendations
(Doc ID )
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 )
Navigation shown on next slides…

51. Patches and Updates Tab
My Oracle Support
Click the Patches & Updates Tab
Then the Search Tab
See the Patches and Updates Tab, then a Search tab.
Go to next slide…

52. Search Tab Has a Recommended Patch Advisor
1. Click here for Manual Search
1. Click Patch Advisor
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
2. Select Product
& Version
After clicking submit, you will be given all patches from the proceeding categories, including the Patch Set.
See also My Oracle Support Recommended Patches for Oracle WebLogic Server & Oracle Fusion Middleware Products (Doc ID )
Recommendations across all Systems (OCM only)
3. Search

53. Resources to Help You Go Forward4
And now our final agenda item.
We cannot provide you comprehensive maintenance instruction in one presentation, but there is a one stop doc you can refer to…

54. One Stop Shop: Information Center!
Information Center: Patching and Maintaining Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g (Doc ID )
12c is upcoming, there has not been any Patch Sets released.
Follow the CPU and PSU programs to get started, using Opatch 13.1 to apply patches.

55. Key My Oracle Support Documents
Doc ID Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c Release Announcements
Doc ID Oracle Identity Access Management 11g R2 (11.1.2) Announcements
Doc ID Steps to Maintain Oracle Forms & Reports 11g Release 2 (11.1.2)
Doc ID Steps to Maintain Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1)
Doc ID What is Installed in My Middleware or Oracle home?
Doc ID Using OPatch 13 for Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c ( )
Doc ID Using OPatch 11.1 for Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g (11.1.1/11.1.2)
Many Doc IDs referenced today are within these. “Announcements” are a new way to provide all important release information together in one place. Step by Step guides are made available when many recommendations need to be organized together. Getting to know what is installed in the Inventory and how to use OPatch to apply Interim patches is important.
These documents can help you get started to maintain Oracle Fusion Middleware homes. You may not be able to read them all now, but at some point, these should be helpful.

56. Recap Recommendations1 2 3 4
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

57. Thank you!
We have crossed the bridge together!

58. 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

59. Oracle Support Stars Bar & Mini Briefing Center
In the back of the exhibition hall
ASK THE EXPERTS
Moscone West Exhibition Hall

60. 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…

61. Understanding Version Numbers (11g and 12c)
Example: Oracle Access Manager
Major Version
General identifier representing major new edition with significant new functionality.
Patch Set Update Number
Patch Set Updates released via the “proactive patching program” are named by incrementing the fifth decimal place
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 Set release number
Patch sets primarily deliver bug fixes
May include new features – notably WebCenter

62. WebLogic Server Has New Version Format
Oracle WebLogic Server
Major Version
The versioning system for 10.3 derives from earlier release structure.
Patch Update Number
Similar purpose to a Patch Set
Often referred to as an Upgrade
The Minor (3rd digit) and Patch Set (4th digit) play the most important roles in error correction policies.
Major + Minor Version
Patch Set Update (PSUs)
0 = No Patch Sets released
2 = Two proactive bundles released