7 Patching

This chapter provides information on applying patches to the software on the Exalytics Machine.

This chapter includes the following sections:

7.1 About Patching Oracle Exalytics

Oracle Exalytics is an engineered system that comprises a number hardware and software components that you can patch independently. These components are designed to work together in an optimized manner.

For the purposes of patching, the software components for Oracle Exalytics include:

  • Core Components

    • Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition

    • (If present) Oracle Essbase, installed using the Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management System Installer

    • Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database for Exalytics

    • Oracle Exalytics Base Image

    • Oracle Exalytics Configuration Utility

  • Optional Components

    Note:

    Because Oracle Exalytics patches are cumulative, you only have to apply the latest patch to incorporate all changes for your installation.

Periodically, Oracle releases comprehensive and well-tested Oracle Exalytics patches to ensure that Exalytics Machines continue to perform optimally.

Note:

Do not apply individual component specific patches on the Exalytics Machine unless instructed to do so by Oracle Support. For more information, see Oracle Exalytics Certification Matrix.

For more detailed information about patching Oracle Exalytics, see:

7.1.1 About Oracle Exalytics Version Stripes

A version stripe for Oracle Exalytics represents a specific set of versions of core components for Oracle Exalytics that have been tested together, and subsequently released together as an Oracle Exalytics Patchset.

shows a hypothetical version stripe across example versions of a subset of Oracle Exalytics core components.

Figure 7-1 Sample Version Stripe for Components of the Exalytics Machine

Description of Figure 7-1 follows
Description of "Figure 7-1 Sample Version Stripe for Components of the Exalytics Machine"

The core components of Oracle Exalytics in a version stripe must be deployed together, as part of an Oracle Exalytics Patchset. The optional components for Oracle Exalytics are certified against one or more version stripes of Oracle Exalytics, and can be patched independently. For more information, see Oracle Exalytics Certification Matrix at the following location:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/ias/downloads/fusion-certification-100350.html

Oracle regularly delivers new version stripes for Oracle Exalytics as Oracle Exalytics Patchsets, typically every three months. For more information, see Section 7.1.2.1, "About Oracle Exalytics Patchsets."

7.1.2 About the Different Types of Oracle Exalytics Patches

There are three different types of patches for Oracle Exalytics, as described in the following sections:

7.1.2.1 About Oracle Exalytics Patchsets

An Oracle Exalytics Patchset is a version stripe of the core components for Oracle Exalytics. All the patches in an Oracle Exalytics Patchset must be applied together.

Oracle Exalytics Patchsets are delivered regularly, typically every three months.

For each core component, an Oracle Exalytics Patchset might contain one of the following:

  • A new major version of the component

  • A patch to the existing version of the component

  • No update to the component

Every Oracle Exalytics Patchset is accompanied by a Patchset ReadMe file in the Oracle Exalytics Documentation Library. The Patchset ReadMe file provides instructions to apply the Patchset.

All the core component updates in an Oracle Exalytics Patchset must be applied successfully. If one core component update is not applied successfully, then all the updates must be rolled back.

Note that Oracle Advanced Customer Support (ACS) Services will have already applied the latest Oracle Exalytics Patchset to newly delivered Exalytics Machines.

7.1.2.2 About Oracle Exalytics Certified Component Patches

An Oracle Exalytics Certified Component Patch is a patch of an individual Oracle Exalytics component.

An Oracle Exalytics Certified Component Patch is:

  • Released between the regularly scheduled Oracle Exalytics Patchsets

  • Certified for use with Oracle Exalytics

  • Included in the next Oracle Exalytics Patchset

For example, a patch for Oracle BI EE might be released shortly after an Oracle Exalytics Patchset. The Oracle BI EE patch might include an important fix that Oracle Exalytics customers are likely to want before the next scheduled Oracle Exalytics Patchset. In this situation, the Oracle BI EE patch might be certified for use with Oracle Exalytics and added to Oracle Exalytics Certification Matrix at the following location:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/ias/downloads/fusion-certification-100350.html

The customer is responsible for applying an Oracle Exalytics Certified Component Patch by following the instructions in the appropriate ReadMe file.

Note that Oracle Advanced Customer Support (ACS) Services will not have applied Oracle Exalytics Certified Component Patches to newly delivered Exalytics Machines.

7.1.2.3 About Oracle Exalytics Component One-Off Patches

An Oracle Exalytics Component One-off Patch is a customer-specific patch that is provided by Oracle to fix particular bugs at specific customer sites. Oracle does not make Oracle Exalytics Component One-off Patches generally available.

The customer is responsible for applying an Oracle Exalytics Component One-off Patch by following the instructions in the appropriate ReadMe file.

Note that Oracle Advanced Customer Support (ACS) Services will not have applied Oracle Exalytics Component One-off Patches to newly delivered Exalytics Machines.

7.2 Applying the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1 (1.0.0.1)

This section is effectively the ReadMe file for the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1 and contains the following topics:

7.2.1 About the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1

The Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1 comprises patches for the core components and specific software versions that are listed in Table 7-1.

Table 7-1 Core Components and Supported Versions in Oracle Exalytics Patchset 1

Core Component Supported Version

Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition

11.1.1.6.2 BP1

Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database for Exalytics

11.2.2.3.0

Oracle Essbase

11.1.2.2.100

Oracle Exalytics X-24 Base Image

1.0.0.3.1

Oracle Exalytics X-24 Configuration Utility

1.0.0.4

For the latest information on the supported versions, see Oracle Exalytics Certification Matrix at the following location:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/ias/downloads/fusion-certification-100350.html

7.2.2 Who Should Install the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1?

The Patchset is available for all Oracle Exalytics customers.

7.2.3 New Features in the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1

The Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1 includes additional certifications and enhancements for the components that are described in the following sections:

7.2.3.1 Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition

Oracle BI EE includes numerous enhancements for the 11.1.1.6.2 BP1 patch. Enhancements to Oracle BI EE that are most relevant for the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1 include the following:

7.2.3.2 Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database

SQL functions in Oracle TimesTen are optimized for better performance. For information, see the "Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database" documentation at the following link:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/products/timesten/documentation/index.html

The link to the "Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database" documentation is also available from the Oracle Exalytics Documentation library.

7.2.3.3 Oracle Essbase

For information on using new Essbase features such as block storage performance enhancements, see the following:

7.2.3.4 Oracle Enterprise Performance Management System

With Oracle Enterprise Performance Management System Release 11.1.2.2, Oracle Hyperion Planning is supported on the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1. You can install the following components on the Exalytics Machine:

  • Oracle Essbase Server

  • Oracle Essbase Administration Services

  • Oracle Essbase Studio Server

  • Oracle HTTP Server

  • Oracle Hyperion Enterprise Performance Management Workspace

  • Oracle Hyperion Calculation Manager

  • Oracle Hyperion Financial Reporting

  • Oracle Hyperion Planning

  • Oracle Hyperion Provider Services

  • Oracle Hyperion Shared Services

  • Oracle Hyperion Web Analysis

For a complete list of certified Oracle Enterprise Performance Management System components on the Exalytics Machine, see Oracle Exalytics Certification Matrix at the following location:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/ias/downloads/fusion-certification-100350.html

7.2.3.5 Oracle Endeca

Both Oracle Endeca Information Discovery and Oracle Endeca Server are certified to run on the Exalytics Machine. Key parts of Oracle's extensive range of business analytics products and solutions, these components are designed to help customers make smarter and faster decisions. For more information, see Oracle Exalytics Certification Matrix at the following location:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/ias/downloads/fusion-certification-100350.html

Also see "Oracle Endeca Information Discovery" documentation, the link to which is available from the Oracle Exalytics Documentation Library.

7.2.3.6 Storage Area Network

For better storage performance, the Exalytics Machine can connect to Storage Area Network (SAN). For more information, see "Storage Configuration" in Oracle Exalytics In-Memory Machine Owner's Guide.

7.2.3.7 Auto Service Request Software

A set of scripts can detect hard drive failure and send notification to Auto Service Request (ASR). For more information, see "Installing Auto Service Request Software" in Oracle Exalytics In-Memory Machine Owner's Guide.

7.2.3.8 Oracle Data Integrator

Oracle Data Integrator is certified for use with Oracle TimesTen when Oracle TimesTen is running on the Exalytics Machine. Note that Oracle Data Integrator cannot be installed on the Exalytics Machine. You must install Oracle Data Integrator on a separate server. For more information on what you can install on the Exalytics machine, see Oracle Exalytics Certification Matrix at the following location:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/ias/downloads/fusion-certification-100350.html

7.2.3.9 Oracle GoldenGate for Oracle TimesTen

Oracle GoldenGate for Oracle TimesTen is certified to update Oracle TimesTen when Oracle TimesTen is running on the Exalytics Machine. Note that Oracle GoldenGate cannot be installed on the Exalytics Machine. You must install Oracle GoldenGate on a separate server. For information on what you can install on the Exalytics machine, see Oracle Exalytics Certification Matrix at the following location:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/ias/downloads/fusion-certification-100350.html

7.2.4 Guidelines for Installing the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1

Review the following guidelines before installing the Patchset:

  • Before applying the patches that are included in the Patchset, ensure that you back up your current installation, configuration files, and any user-specific artifacts.

  • When applying the patch on a virtualized environment, do not patch the following:

    • Auto Service Request (ASR) included in the Exalytics Configuration Utility

    • Oracle Exalytics X2-4 Base Image

  • If you have installed Oracle Enterprise Performance Management components on the Exalytics machine, stop all Enterprise Performance Management services before applying the patch. Also, ensure that you start all services after applying the patch. For more information, see "Chapter 12, Starting and Stopping EPM System Products" in Oracle Enterprise Performance Management System Installation and Configuration Guide Release 11.1.2.2 at the following location:

    http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E17236_01/epm.1112/epm_install_1112200.pdf

  • Delete aggregates in Oracle TimesTen using the nqcmd utility. For more information, see "Creating and Persisting Aggregates for Oracle BI Server Queries" in Oracle Fusion Middleware Metadata Repository Builder's Guide for Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition.

  • Patches for the core components of Oracle Exalytics in the Patchset have been tested to work together. Oracle highly recommends that you apply or roll back all core component patches together. Do not apply or rollback individual patches to different core components (such as Oracle BI EE, Oracle Essbase (if installed), and Oracle TimesTen).

  • For late-breaking information, see Oracle Exalytics Release Notes.

7.2.5 Installing the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1

To install the Oracle Exalytics Patchset:

  1. Download and install Oracle Exalytics X2-4 Base Image Patch (v 1.0.0.3.1) on Linux x86-64.

    Note:

    The base image patch is required to support ASR on the Exalytics Machine.

    To download and install the Oracle Exalytics base image patch, perform the following steps:

    1. Download patch 14301728 - Exalytics Patchset 1 (v 1.0.0.1.0) Base Image Patch (v 1.0.0.3.1) on Linux X86-64 from the Oracle Support web site.

      The patch contains the p14301728_10000_Linux-x86-64.zip file.

    2. Unzip the zip file into a temporary folder.

      The zip file contains the text and rpm (RPM Package Manager) files that are listed in Table 7-2.

      Table 7-2 Text and RPM Files in the Oracle Exalytics Base Image Zip File

      File Name Notes

      ReadMe.txt

      File with install instructions

      ReadMe_1.1.5-Linux.txt

      Service Tag related

      ST_1.1.5 ReleaseNotes-Linux.txt

      Service Tag related

      ST_SLA.txt

      Service Tag related

      ST_SLA_multi.txt

      Service Tag related

      hwreg_ReleaseNotes_v1.1.5.txt

      Service Tag related

      sun-hardware-reg-1.0.0-1.i386.rpm

      Service Tag related rpm

      sun-servicetag-1.1.5-1.i386.rpm

      Service Tag related rpm

      httpd-2.2.3-43.0.1.el5.x86_64.rpm

      ASR scripts related rpm

      lsscsi-0.17-3.el5.x86_64.rpm

      ASR scripts related rpm

      mod_perl-2.0.4-6.el5.x86_64.rpm

      ASR scripts related rpm

      perl-BSD-Resource-1.28-1.fc6.1.x86_64.rpm

      ASR scripts related rpm

    3. Execute the following commands as a root user to install the rpm files:

      rpm -i httpd-2.2.3-43.0.1.el5.x86_64.rpm

      rpm -i lsscsi-0.17-3.el5.x86_64.rpm

      rpm -i perl-BSD-Resource-1.28-1.fc6.1.x86_64.rpm

      rpm -i mod_perl-2.0.4-6.el5.x86_64.rpm

      rpm -i sun-servicetag-1.1.5-1.i386.rpm

      rpm -i sun-hardware-reg-1.0.0-1.i386.rpm

  2. Download and install Oracle BI EE 11.1.1.6.2 BP1 patch.

    To apply the Oracle BI EE 11.1.1.6.2 BP1 Patchset to an Oracle BI EE 11.1.1.6.0 installation, see the instructions in the ReadMe file for patch 14223977 (the first patch of the Oracle BI EE 11.1.1.6.2 BP1 Patchset).

  3. Download and install Oracle TimesTen 11.2.2.3 for the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1.

    During the installation of Oracle TimesTen, answer "Yes" to the question: Would you like to upgrade this instance?

    Also, ensure that you do not delete existing files. For example, during the installation, answer "No" to the following questions:

    • Would you also like to remove all files in /home/oracle/EXALYTICS_MWHOME/../TimesTen/tt1122/network/admin/samples?

    • Would you like to replace the existing cluster.oracle.ini file?

    • Would you like to replace the existing /home/oracle/EXALYTICS_MWHOME/../TimesTen/tt1122/info/sys.odbc.ini file?

    • Would you also like to remove all files in /home/oracle/EXALYTICS_MWHOME/../TimesTen/tt1122/info?

    For more information, see "Performing an in-place database upgrade" and "Performing an offline upgrade" in Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database Installation Guide.

  4. If Oracle Essbase is deployed, then download and install Oracle Essbase 11.1.2.2.000, Patchset 11.1.2.2.100 from the Oracle Software Delivery Cloud web site.

    1. Navigate to the Oracle Software Delivery Cloud web site at the following link:

      http://edelivery.oracle.com

    2. For Product Pack, select Oracle Enterprise Performance System.

    3. For Platform, select Linux x86-64.

    4. Click Go.

    5. Select and download Oracle Enterprise Performance Management System (11.1.2.2.0) Media Pack for Linux x86-64.

      The 11.1.2.2.0 media pack contains Oracle Essbase 11.1.2.2.100.

    To install Oracle Essbase on the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1, see the installation instructions in the Oracle Enterprise Performance Management System ReadMe file for installation and configuration at the following location:

    http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E17236_01/epm.1112/epm_1112200_readme.pdf

  5. Download and install the Oracle Exalytics X2-4 Configuration Utilities v 1.0.0.4.

    To download and install the Oracle Exalytics Configuration utility patch and ASR utility, perform the following actions:

    1. Download and install Oracle Exalytics X2-4 Configuration Utilities v 1.0.0.4 Exalytics Media Pack under Oracle Business Intelligence for Linux x86-64 platform, from Oracle Software Delivery Cloud web site at the following link:

      http://edelivery.oracle.com

    2. Unzip the file into a temporary directory.

      The zip file contains the files that are listed in Table 7-3.

      Table 7-3 Files in the Oracle Exalytics Configuration Utility Zip File

      File Name Notes

      configure_network_for_exalytics.sh

      Oracle Exalytics network configuration script

      SUN-HW-TRAP-MIB.mib

      ASR (Auto Service Request) on Oracle Exalytics

      bda_mon_hw_asr.pl

      ASR mail script on Oracle Exalytics

      common_subs.pm

      ASR on Oracle Exalytics

      setup_asr_ilom.pl

      ASR on Oracle Exalytics

    3. Copy the file configure_network_for_exalytics.sh to an appropriate destination, such as /opt/exalytics.

      Note:

      Before copying the file, ensure that you back up the existing file as configure_network_for_exalytics.sh_V1 first.

    4. Oracle Exalytics network configuration script is executed directly to configure the network.

      No rpm files are required.

  6. Complete the following steps to configure ASR. You must first install the rpm files from the p14301728_10000_Linux-x86-64.zip file.

    1. Create a directory using a command such as the following:

      mkdir -p /opt/exalytics/asr

    2. Copy the following files into the new directory from the directory where you previously extracted them.

      bda_mon_hw_asr.pl

      setup_asr_ilom.pl

      common_subs.pm

      SUN-HW-TRAP-MIB.mib

    3. Add the following line to the /etc/inittab file:

      emh1:345:respawn:/opt/exalytics/asr/bda_mon_hw_asr.pl -server

    4. Execute the following commands to add executive permissions on the pl script:

      chmod +x setup_asr_ilom.pl

      chmod +x bda_mon_hw_asr.pl

    5. At the command line, execute the init q command to initialize and start the bda_mon server.

    6. Use the client to configure ASR destinations by using the instructions that are available from the following command that you execute from the /opt/exalytics/asr directory:

      ./bda_mon_hw_asr.pl -help

      For more information, see "Installing Auto Service Request Software" in Oracle Exalytics In-Memory Machine Owner's Guide.

7.2.6 Postinstallation Instructions

To ensure that Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition and Oracle TimesTen data type mapping and other optimizations are consistent and can be leveraged, you must complete postinstallation steps for the following Oracle Exalytics components:

7.2.6.1 Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database

This section contains the following topics:

7.2.6.1.1 Configuring Oracle TimesTen Checkpoint Frequency

To ensure Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition sets the Oracle TimesTen checkpoint frequency, perform the following configuration steps after upgrading Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database. Failure to perform this configuration may adversely affect Oracle TimesTen performance.

To configure Oracle TimesTen checkpoint frequency:

  1. Open the timesten-install-dir/info/sys.odbc.ini file.

  2. Find the DSN entry for the schema used for Aggregate Persistence.

  3. Do one of the following:

    • If you are loading data in Oracle TimesTen database using aggregate persistence, edit the three parameters as follows:

      • CkptFrequency=-1

      • CkptLogVolume=0

      • CkptRate=0

    • If you are loading data in Oracle TimesTen database without using aggregate persistence, use a different server DSN and edit the three parameters as follows:

      • CkptFrequency=30

      • CkptLogVolume=0

      • CkptRate=0

7.2.6.1.2 Other Postinstallation Steps

After upgrading Oracle TimesTen, you must complete the postinstallation steps of re-creating datastores and rebuilding aggregates.

To complete other postinstallation steps in Oracle TimesTen:

  1. Re-create existing datastores for Oracle TimesTen.

  2. Rebuild aggregates using the nqcmd utility. For more information, see "Creating and Persisting Aggregates for Oracle BI Server Queries" in Oracle Fusion Middleware Metadata Repository Builder's Guide for Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition.

7.2.6.2 Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition

This section contains the following topics:

7.2.6.2.1 Edit the opmn.xml File

For faster aggregation and better performance, Oracle recommends that you edit the opmn.xml file to include the appropriate elements. Ensure that you edit the opmn.xml file on each Exalytics machine that is configured in a highly available clustered environment.

To edit the opmn.xml file to improve aggregation and performance:

  1. Open the opmn.xml file (which is located in MW_HOME/instances/instance1/config/OPMN/opmn).

  2. Insert the following child elements under <ias-component id="coreapplication_obis1" inherit-environment="true"><environment>:

    1. <variable id="ORACLE_BI_TT_DISABLE_REDO_LOGGING" value="1"/>

      Creates faster aggregation.

    2. <variable id="ORACLE_BI_TT_PARALLEL_INDEX_CREATION" value="1"/>

      Creates indexes in parallel, thereby creating faster aggregation.

    3. <variable id="ORACLE_BI_TT_BACKGROUND_CHECKPOINT_INTERVAL" value="5"/>

      This BI Server controlled parameter determines the frequency of Oracle TimesTen datastores that are stored to disk (datastore persistence). The default value is every 10 seconds. The smaller the number of the "value", the more often Oracle TimesTen stores datastores to disk.

  3. Stop and start the Notification Server.

    1. Go to the following directory that contains the OPMN command-line tool:

      MW_HOME/instances/instance1/bin

    2. Run the following command:

      ./opmnctl stopall

      Stops OPMN and all Oracle Business Intelligence system components.

    3. Run the following command:

      ./opmnctl startall

      Starts OPMN and all Oracle Business Intelligence system components.

7.2.6.2.2 Reinstall Oracle Business Intelligence Client Installer

For information about installing Oracle Business Intelligence Client Tools, see " Installing and Uninstalling Oracle Business Intelligence Client Tools" in Oracle Fusion Middleware Installation Guide for Oracle Business Intelligence.

7.2.7 Deinstallation Instructions

If you experience any problems after installing the patch, then Oracle recommends that you roll back all Oracle Exalytics component patches to maintain the version stripe. Do not rollback one or two individual component patches. Instructions for rollback are included in the component-specific ReadMe files.

If you encounter any issues while applying any patch updates, then contact Oracle Support.

7.2.8 Bugs Fixed by this Patch

Bugs fixed for each component in the Oracle Exalytics Patchset are described in the component-specific ReadMe files.

7.2.9 Known Bugs with this Patch

Known bugs with each of the components in the Oracle Exalytics Patchset (if any) are described in the component-specific ReadMe files.

7.3 Applying the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 (1.0.0.2)

This section is effectively the ReadMe file for the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 and contains the following topics:

7.3.1 About the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2

The Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 comprises patches for the core components and specific software versions that are listed in Table 7-4.

Table 7-4 Core Components and Supported Versions in Oracle Exalytics Patchset 2

Core Component Supported Version

Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition

11.1.1.6.5

Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database for Exalytics

11.2.2.4.1

Oracle Essbase

11.1.2.2.101

Oracle Exalytics Base Image 1.0.0.4 Upgrade Utility

1.0.0.4

Upgrades the base image to 1.0.0.4.

Oracle Exalytics X-24 Configuration Utility

1.0.0.5

For the latest information on the supported versions, see Oracle Exalytics Certification Matrix at the following location:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/ias/downloads/fusion-certification-100350.html

7.3.2 Who Should Install the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2?

The Patchset is available for all Oracle Exalytics customers.

7.3.3 New Features in the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2

This section includes the following topics:

7.3.3.1 Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 Installed on Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1

Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 contains no new features, but does include a number of bug fixes for the components that comprise Oracle Exalytics. These bug fixes are described in the component-specific ReadMe files.

7.3.3.2 Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 Installed on Oracle Exalytics Release 1

If you are installing Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 on Oracle Exalytics Release 1, note that the new features in Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 are cumulative; that is, Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 includes the new features in Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1. For detailed information about the new features and additional certifications in Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1, see Section 7.2.3, "New Features in the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1."

7.3.4 Guidelines for Installing the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2

Review the following guidelines before installing the Patchset:

  • Before applying the patches that are included in the Patchset, ensure that you back up your current installation, configuration files, and any user-specific artifacts, and stop all applicable services.

  • When applying the patch on a virtualized environment, do not patch the following:

    • Auto Service Request (ASR) included in the Exalytics Configuration Utility

    • Oracle Exalytics X2-4 Base Image

  • If you have installed Oracle Enterprise Performance Management components on the Exalytics machine, stop all Enterprise Performance Management services before applying the patch. Also, ensure that you start all services after applying the patch. For more information, see "Chapter 12, Starting and Stopping EPM System Products" in Oracle Enterprise Performance Management System Installation and Configuration Guide Release 11.1.2.2 at the following location:

    http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E17236_01/epm.1112/epm_install_1112200.pdf

  • If you are installing Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 on Oracle Exalytics Release 1, then delete aggregates in Oracle TimesTen using the nqcmd utility. For more information, see "Creating and Persisting Aggregates for Oracle BI Server Queries" in Oracle Fusion Middleware Metadata Repository Builder's Guide for Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition.

  • Patches for the core components of Oracle Exalytics in the Patchset have been tested to work together. Oracle highly recommends that you apply or roll back all core component patches together. Do not apply or rollback individual patches to different core components (such as Oracle BI EE, Oracle Essbase (if installed), and Oracle TimesTen).

  • For late-breaking information, see Oracle Exalytics Release Notes.

7.3.5 Installing the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2

To install Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 on Oracle Exalytics Release 1 or on Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1 (1.0.0.1), perform the following steps:

7.3.5.1 Step 1: Upgrade Firmware

If not already done, upgrade your firmware to 3.1.2.24. Oracle Integrated Lights Out Manager 3.1.2.24 (ILOM) has a new user interface and navigation.

For information about Oracle Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM) consult the Sun Server X2-4 Documentation manuals which are available in the Oracle Exalytics Library at:

http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E27027_01/index.htm

To upgrade firmware:

  1. Navigate to My Oracle Support and download patch number 14099616.

    The patch zip file contains the ILOM-3_1_2_24_r73820-Sun_Fire_X4470M2.pkg.

  2. Extract the zip file into a temporary folder.

  3. On the Exalytics Machine, connect and log on to Oracle Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM).

  4. In ILOM, select Maintenance, and then select the Firm Upgrade tab.

  5. Click Enter Upgrade Mode.

  6. Click OK.

  7. Click Browse, navigate to the temporary folder, and select the ILOM-3_1_2_24_r73820-Sun_Fire_X4470M2.pkg that you downloaded.

  8. Click Upload.

  9. If not already selected, select Preserve Existing Configuration.

  10. Click Start Upgrade.

  11. Click OK.

    After the upgrade completes successfully, ILOM restarts automatically.

7.3.5.2 Step 2: Run the Oracle Exalytics Base Image 1.0.0.4 In-Place Upgrade Script

You run the upgrade script to upgrade Oracle Exalytics base image to 1.0.0.4.

Note:

If you are installing Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 on Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1, the script installs new rpms without affecting your existing installation.

To run the Oracle Exalytics Base Image 1.0.0.4 In-Place Upgrade Script:

  1. Navigate to My Oracle Support and download patch number 15935265 containing the Oracle Exalytics X2-4 Base Image 1.0.0.4 for Linux X86-84 Upgrade Utility.

  2. Unzip the file into a temporary directory.

    The Oracle Exalytics X2-4 Base Image 1.0.0.4 for Linux X86-84 Upgrade Utility zip file contains the script file (ex_x2-4_in-place_upgrade_script_patch.zip), text, and rpm (RPM Package Manager) files that are listed in Table 7-5.

    Table 7-5 Text and RPM Files in the Oracle Exalytics 1.0.0.4 Upgrade Utility Zip File

    File Name Notes

    README.txt

    File with install instructions

    upgrade.sh

    Upgrade script

    new_image_files

    The following image files for 1.0.0.4

    supported_config

    base_functions

    new_rpm files

    • sun-hardware-reg-1.0.0-1.i386.rpm

    • sun-servicetag-1.1.5-1.i386.rpm

    • httpd-2.2.3-43.0.1.el5.x86_64.rpm

    • lsscsi-0.17-3.el5.x86_64.rpm

    • mod_perl-2.0.4-6.el5.x86_64.rpm

    • perl-BSD-Resource-1.28-1.fc6.1.x86_64.rpm

    rpm files in Oracle Exalytics Patchset 1

    • Service Tag related rpm

    • Service Tag related rpm

    • ASR scripts related rpm

    • ASR scripts related rpm

    • ASR scripts related rpm

    • ASR scripts related rpm

    new_rpm files

    exalogic-1.0.0.4-1.0.noarch.rpm

    rpm files for Oracle Exalytics base image 1.0.0.4

  3. Execute the following commands as a root user from the temporary directory:

    chmod u+x upgrade.sh

    ./upgrade.sh 2>&1 | tee -a upgrade.log

  4. Check rpm versions.

    1. Execute the following command as a root user:

      rpm -q httpd perl-BSD-Resource mod_perl lsscsi sun-servicetag sun-hardware-reg exalogic

    2. Confirm that the output is displayed as follows:

      httpd-2.2.3-43.0.1.el5

      perl-BSD-Resource-1.28-1.fc6.1

      mod_perl-2.0.4-6.el5

      lsscsi-0.17-3.el5

      sun-servicetag-1.1.5-1

      sun-hardware-reg-1.0.0-1

      exalogic-1.0.0.4-1.0

  5. Confirm base image version.

    1. Execute the command /usr/sbin/imageinfo | grep "Image version" as a root user.

    2. Confirm that the output is displayed as follows:

      Image version: 1.0.0.4.0

  6. Restart the system to complete the base image upgrade.

7.3.5.3 Step 3: Download and Install the Oracle Exalytics X2-4 Configuration Utilities v 1.0.0.5

To download and install the Oracle Exalytics Configuration utility patch and ASR utility:

  1. Download and install Oracle Exalytics X2-4 Configuration Utilities v 1.0.0.5 Exalytics Media Pack under Oracle Business Intelligence for Linux x86-64 platform, from Oracle Software Delivery Cloud web site at the following link:

    http://edelivery.oracle.com

  2. Unzip the file into a temporary directory.

    The zip file contains the files that are listed in Table 7-6.

    Table 7-6 Files in the Oracle Exalytics Configuration Utility Zip File

    File Name Notes

    configure_network_for_exalytics.sh

    Oracle Exalytics network configuration script

    configure_for_emcc.sh

    Oracle Exalytics Enterprise Manager configuration script

    SUN-HW-TRAP-MIB.mib

    ASR (Auto Service Request) on Oracle Exalytics

    bda_mon_hw_asr.pl

    ASR main script on Oracle Exalytics

    common_subs.pm

    ASR on Oracle Exalytics

    setup_asr_ilom.pl

    ASR on Oracle Exalytics

  3. Copy the file configure_network_for_exalytics.sh to an appropriate destination, such as /opt/exalytics.

    Note:

    Before copying the file, ensure that you back up the existing file as configure_network_for_exalytics.sh_V1 first.

  4. Oracle Exalytics network configuration script is executed directly to configure the network.

    No rpm files are required.

7.3.5.4 Step 4: Configure ASR

If you are installing Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 on Oracle Exalytics Release 1, then complete the following steps to configure ASR. ASR requires several rpms, which are installed by the upgrade script.

Note:

If you are installing Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 on Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1, you can skip this step.

To configure ASR:

  1. Create a directory using a command such as the following:

    mkdir -p /opt/exalytics/asr

  2. Copy the following files into the new directory from the directory where you previously extracted them:

    bda_mon_hw_asr.pl

    setup_asr_ilom.pl

    common_subs.pm

    SUN-HW-TRAP-MIB.mib

  3. Add the following line to the /etc/inittab file:

    emh1:345:respawn:/opt/exalytics/asr/bda_mon_hw_asr.pl -server

  4. Execute the following commands to add executive permissions on the pl script:

    chmod +x setup_asr_ilom.pl

    chmod +x bda_mon_hw_asr.pl

  5. At the command line, execute the init q command to initialize and start the bda_mon server.

  6. Execute the ps -ef | grep bda command to ensure that bda_mon_hw_asr_pl is running.

  7. Use the client to configure ASR destinations by using the instructions that are available from the following command that you execute from the /opt/exalytics/asr directory:

    ./bda_mon_hw_asr.pl -help

    For more information, see "Installing Auto Service Request Software" in Oracle Exalytics In-Memory Machine Owner's Guide.

7.3.5.5 Step 5: Configure Exalytics Host for Enterprise Manager Cloud Control Discovery

If Enterprise Manager Cloud Control (EMCC) is deployed, complete the following steps to enable EMCC to identify the Exalytics host:

To configure Exalytics Host for Enterprise Manager Cloud Control Discovery:

  1. Log on to Oracle Integrated Lights Out Manager (ILOM) and select ILOM Administration, then Identification, and then System Information. Ensure that the SP System Identifier value is populated with a unique value, such as "Oracle Exalytics X2-2 AK00026925".

  2. Log on to the same Oracle Exalytics machine where you extracted the Oracle Exalytics X2-4 Configuration Utilities v 1.0.0.5.

  3. Execute the command chmod +x configure_for_emcc.sh to grant execute permissions.

  4. Execute the following command as a root user to create the file:

    ./configure_for_emcc.sh

  5. Review the output and ensure that the contents of the /var/exalytics/info/em-context.info file correctly displays the system identifier for the Oracle Exalytics machine. The system identifier should be identical to the system identifier you saw in Step 1 of this procedure.

7.3.5.6 Step 6: Download and Install Oracle BI EE 11.1.1.6.5

To apply the Oracle BI EE 11.1.1.6.5 Patchset to an Oracle BI EE 11.1.1.6.x installation, see the instructions in the ReadMe file for patch 14696072 (the first patch of the Oracle BI EE 11.1.1.6.5 Patchset).

You can download the Readme for patch 14696072 from My Oracle Support.

7.3.5.7 Step 7: Download and Install Oracle TimesTen 11.2.2.4.1

Navigate to the Oracle Software Delivery Cloud web site at the following link and download and install Oracle TimesTen 11.2.2.4.1.

http://edelivery.oracle.com

Note:

If you are installing Oracle Exalytics for the first time, you can install Oracle TimesTen 11.2.2.4.1 instead of applying patches to previous Oracle TimesTen versions.

During the installation of Oracle TimesTen, answer "Yes" to the question: Would you like to upgrade this instance?

Also, ensure that you do not delete existing files. For example, during the installation, answer "No" to the following questions:

  • Would you also like to remove all files in /home/oracle/EXALYTICS_MWHOME/../TimesTen/tt1122/network/admin/samples?

  • Would you like to replace the existing cluster.oracle.ini file?

  • Would you like to replace the existing /home/oracle/EXALYTICS_MWHOME/../TimesTen/tt1122/info/sys.odbc.ini file?

  • Would you also like to remove all files in /home/oracle/EXALYTICS_MWHOME/../TimesTen/tt1122/info?

For more information, see "Performing an in-place database upgrade" and "Performing an offline upgrade" in Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database Installation Guide.

7.3.5.8 Step 8: Download and Install Oracle Essbase 11.1.2.2.000, Patchset 11.1.2.2.101

If you are deploying Oracle Essbase 11.1.2.2.000, then perform an action:

  1. If Oracle Essbase 11.1.2.2.100 is installed, then download and install Patchset 11.1.2.2.101 (Patch number 14400518) from My Oracle Support web site.

  2. If Oracle Essbase 11.1.2.2.100 is not installed, then download and install Oracle Essbase 11.1.2.2.100 from the Oracle Software Delivery Cloud web site, and then apply Patchset 11.1.2.2.101 (Patch number 14400518).

    To download Oracle Essbase 11.1.2.2.100 and 11.1.2.2.101 Patchsets:

    1. Navigate to the Oracle Software Delivery Cloud web site at the following link:

      http://edelivery.oracle.com

    2. For Product Pack, select Oracle Enterprise Performance System.

    3. For Platform, select Linux x86-64.

    4. Click Go.

    5. Select and download Oracle Enterprise Performance Management System (11.1.2.2.0) Media Pack for Linux x86-64.

      The 11.1.2.2.0 media pack contains Oracle Essbase 11.1.2.2.100.

    6. Navigate to My Oracle Support and download and install Patchset 11.1.2.2.101 (Patch number 14400518).

    To install Oracle Essbase on the Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 1, see the installation instructions in the Oracle Enterprise Performance Management System ReadMe file for installation and configuration at the following location:

    http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E17236_01/epm.1112/epm_1112200_readme.pdf

7.3.6 Postinstallation Instructions

To ensure that Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition and Oracle TimesTen data type mapping and other optimizations are consistent and can be leveraged, you must complete postinstallation steps for the following Oracle Exalytics components:

7.3.6.1 Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database

This section contains the following topics:

7.3.6.1.1 Configuring Oracle TimesTen Checkpoint Frequency

To ensure Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition sets the Oracle TimesTen checkpoint frequency, perform the following configuration steps after upgrading Oracle TimesTen In-Memory Database. Failure to perform this configuration may adversely affect Oracle TimesTen performance.

To configure Oracle TimesTen checkpoint frequency:

  1. Open the timesten-install-dir/info/sys.odbc.ini file.

  2. Find the DSN entry for the schema used for Aggregate Persistence.

  3. Do one of the following:

    • If you are loading data in Oracle TimesTen database using aggregate persistence, edit the three parameters as follows:

      • CkptFrequency=-1

      • CkptLogVolume=0

      • CkptRate=0

    • If you are loading data in Oracle TimesTen database without using aggregate persistence, use a different server DSN and edit the three parameters as follows:

      • CkptFrequency=30

      • CkptLogVolume=0

      • CkptRate=0

7.3.6.1.2 Other Postinstallation Steps

After upgrading Oracle TimesTen, you must complete the postinstallation steps of re-creating datastores and rebuilding aggregates.

To complete other postinstallation steps in Oracle TimesTen:

  1. Re-create existing datastores for Oracle TimesTen.

  2. If you are installing Oracle Exalytics Release 1 Patchset 2 on Oracle Exalytics Release 1, then rebuild aggregates using the nqcmd utility. For more information, see "Creating and Persisting Aggregates for Oracle BI Server Queries" in Oracle Fusion Middleware Metadata Repository Builder's Guide for Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition.

7.3.6.2 Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition

This section contains the following topics:

7.3.6.2.1 Edit the opmn.xml File

For faster aggregation and better performance, Oracle recommends that you edit the opmn.xml file to include the appropriate elements. Ensure that you edit the opmn.xml file on each Exalytics machine that is configured in a highly available clustered environment.

To edit the opmn.xml file to improve aggregation and performance:

  1. Open the opmn.xml file (which is located in MW_HOME/instances/instance1/config/OPMN/opmn).

  2. Insert the following child elements under <ias-component id="coreapplication_obis1" inherit-environment="true"><environment>:

    1. <variable id="ORACLE_BI_TT_DISABLE_REDO_LOGGING" value="1"/>

      Creates faster aggregation.

    2. <variable id="ORACLE_BI_TT_PARALLEL_INDEX_CREATION" value="1"/>

      Creates indexes in parallel, thereby creating faster aggregation.

    3. <variable id="ORACLE_BI_TT_BACKGROUND_CHECKPOINT_INTERVAL" value="5"/>

      This BI Server controlled parameter determines the frequency of Oracle TimesTen datastores that are stored to disk (datastore persistence). The default value is every 10 seconds. The smaller the number of the "value", the more often Oracle TimesTen stores datastores to disk.

  3. Stop and start the Notification Server.

    1. Go to the following directory that contains the OPMN command-line tool:

      MW_HOME/instances/instance1/bin

    2. Run the following command:

      ./opmnctl stopall

      Stops OPMN and all Oracle Business Intelligence system components.

    3. Run the following command:

      ./opmnctl startall

      Starts OPMN and all Oracle Business Intelligence system components.

7.3.6.2.2 Reinstall Oracle Business Intelligence Client Installer

For information about installing Oracle Business Intelligence Client Tools, see " Installing and Uninstalling Oracle Business Intelligence Client Tools" in Oracle Fusion Middleware Installation Guide for Oracle Business Intelligence.

7.3.7 Deinstallation Instructions

If you experience any problems after installing the patch, then Oracle recommends that you roll back all Oracle Exalytics component patches to maintain the version stripe. Do not rollback one or two individual component patches. Instructions for rollback are included in the component-specific ReadMe files.

If you encounter any issues while applying any patch updates, then contact Oracle Support.

7.3.8 Bugs Fixed by this Patch

Bugs fixed for each component in the Oracle Exalytics Patchset are described in the component-specific ReadMe files.

7.3.9 Known Bugs with this Patch

Known bugs with each of the components in the Oracle Exalytics Patchset (if any) are described in the component-specific ReadMe files.