1 Introduction to Oracle Fusion Applications Patching Framework

The Oracle Fusion Applications patching framework provides the tools to support updates to Oracle Fusion Applications software. This chapter introduces the Oracle Fusion Applications patching framework and its components.

This chapter contains the following topics:

Maintaining Oracle Fusion Applications
Oracle Fusion Applications Patching Framework Components
Oracle Fusion Applications Patching Processes

1.1 Maintaining Oracle Fusion Applications

Oracle Fusion Applications is a deployment of applications product offerings built on the Oracle Fusion Middleware technology stack and the Oracle Database. Each application artifact and the underlying Oracle Fusion middleware engine has its own development life cycle and patching requirements. The primary purpose of the Oracle Fusion Applications patching framework is to simplify and expedite the maintenance of the code and functionality shipped as part of Oracle Fusion Applications.

Even though a variety of middleware technologies is involved, the patching framework transparently uses multiple tools and utilities. The tools used to maintain Oracle Fusion Applications and its underlying components vary based on the type and requirements of the components.

Maintaining Oracle Fusion Applications

Oracle Fusion Applications requires various maintenance actions during its life cycle. Those actions impact the installed applications, their middleware dependencies, and their database components. Maintenance actions include applying patches to fix bugs, adding new functionality and features, installing a maintenance release, or providing interoperability to new technology stacks. Oracle Fusion Applications Patch Manager can be used to apply patches, while installer utilities can be used to add functionality that is not delivered in patches.

Maintaining Oracle Fusion Applications Patch Manager

When updates to Oracle Fusion Applications Patch Manager are available, you must use the OPatch utility to install these updates. For more information about OPatch, see the Oracle Fusion Middleware Patching Guide.

Maintaining Oracle Fusion Middleware Extensions for Applications

When updates to the Oracle home for Oracle Fusion Middleware Extensions for Applications are required, you use Oracle Fusion Applications AutoPatch to apply patches. For more information, see the applicable chapter:

Maintaining Oracle Fusion Middleware Components

The Oracle Fusion Applications patching framework patches only the Oracle Fusion Applications content inside the Oracle Fusion Applications Oracle home. For more information, see Section 2.1.2, "Oracle Fusion Applications Oracle Home". When you must update middleware components, such as Oracle Enterprise Scheduler Service and Oracle WebLogic Service, use the OPatch utility. For more information, see the Oracle Fusion Middleware Patching Guide.

1.2 Oracle Fusion Applications Patching Framework Components

The Oracle Fusion Applications patching framework provides the following components, tools, and utilities to maintain and update Oracle Fusion Applications.

1.2.1 Oracle Fusion Applications Patch Manager

The primary function of Oracle Fusion Applications Patch Manager is to manage patches that update both the database and middleware artifacts under the Oracle Fusion Applications Oracle home. It calls the Oracle Fusion Applications AutoPatch utility to patch database artifacts and the OPatch utility to coordinate activities for updating middleware artifacts. For conceptual information about Oracle Fusion Applications Patch Manager, see Chapter 2, "Understanding Oracle Fusion Applications Patching Concepts". For information about how to use this product, see Chapter 3, "Using Oracle Fusion Applications Patch Manager".

1.2.2 AD Administration

The AD Administration utility performs maintenance tasks that keep applications files and database objects current. For more information, see Chapter 8, "Performing System Maintenance Tasks".

1.2.3 AD Controller

The AD Controller utility helps you troubleshoot database tasks performed by Oracle Fusion Applications Patch Manager or AD Administration and allows you to control their actions. For more information, see Section 9.5, "Troubleshooting Patching Sessions for Database Content".

1.2.4 HomeChecker

The HomeChecker utility verifies the correctness of any Oracle Fusion Applications Oracle home directory. For more information, see Section 8.5, "Running the HomeChecker Utility".

1.3 Oracle Fusion Applications Patching Processes

The high-level processes related to patching Oracle Fusion Applications are outlined in Table 1-1, along with links to chapters in this guide that contain the detailed instructions.

Table 1-1 Oracle Fusion Applications Patching Processes

Process	Description	Link to Documentation
Apply standard and one-off patches	Run Oracle Fusion Applications Patch Manager to apply patches and run patching reports	Chapter 3, "Using Oracle Fusion Applications Patch Manager"
Deploy artifacts	Perform required deployments steps for specific artifacts	Chapter 4, "Patching Oracle Fusion Applications Artifacts"
Maintain Oracle Fusion Middleware Extensions for Applications	Apply patches to update Oracle Fusion Middleware Extensions for Applications	Chapter 5, "Patching Oracle Fusion Middleware Extensions for Applications"
Maintain Oracle Fusion Functional Setup Manager	Apply patches to update Oracle Fusion Functional Setup Manager	Chapter 6, "Patching Oracle Fusion Functional Setup Manager"
Maintain Oracle Fusion Applications Functional Core	Apply patches to update Oracle Fusion Applications Functional Core	Chapter 7, "Patching Oracle Fusion Applications Functional Core"
Run maintenance tasks	Run routine system maintenance tasks	Chapter 8, "Performing System Maintenance Tasks"
Monitor, verify, and troubleshoot the application of patches	Monitor the patching sessions and resolve any reported issues	Chapter 9, "Monitoring and Troubleshooting Patches"