1 Understanding the Upgrade to 10g Release 3 (10.1.3)

If you are already using Oracle Application Server 10g (9.0.4) or 10g Release 2 (10.1.2), this chapter introduces you to 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) and describes what is meant by an upgrade to 10g Release 3 (10.1.3).

This chapter contains the following sections:

• What Is Oracle Application Server 10g Release 3 (10.1.3)?

• What Does It Mean to Upgrade to 10g Release 3 (10.1.3)?

• Documentation Road Map for Previous Oracle Application Server Users

1.1 What Is Oracle Application Server 10g Release 3 (10.1.3)?

Oracle Application Server 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) is a significant new release that provides a complete Java 2, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) 1.4-compliant environment. It does not include all the Oracle Application Server components that were available with 10g (9.0.4) and 10g Release 2 (10.1.2).

Instead, it is designed specifically for administrators who are using OC4J to deploy and manage J2EE applications.

Table 1-1 provides a summary of the components and features available with 10g Release 3 (10.1.3).

Table 1-1 Key Features of Oracle Application Server 10g Release 3 (10.1.3)

Feature Description	For More Information
A new version of Oracle Containers for J2EE (OC4J) provides the containers, APIs, and services mandated by the J2EE 1.4 specification.	Oracle Containers for J2EE Configuration and Administration Guide
A new version of the Application Server Control that is based on the Java Management Extensions (JMX) technology, including the J2EE Management and J2EE Application Deployment specifications.	"Introduction to Administration Tools" in the Oracle Application Server Administrator's Guide
A new version of Oracle Process Manager and Notification Server (OPMN), which provides clustering capabilities for Oracle Application Server10g Release 3 (10.1.3) instances.	Chapter 5, "Differences Between 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) and Previous Releases"
The new version of OC4J also includes a new, more flexible method for grouping OC4J instances to facilitate the deployment and management of your J2EE applications across a cluster topology.	Chapter 5, "Differences Between 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) and Previous Releases"

1.2 What Does It Mean to Upgrade to 10g Release 3 (10.1.3)?

A typical upgrade to 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) involves the following steps:

1. Install your new 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) middle tiers.

   Note the following:

   • You can install a 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) middle tier on the same host as an existing 10g (9.0.4) or 10g Release 2 (10.1.2) Oracle home, or you can install it on a separate host.

   • Use the installation options to create a 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) environment similar to your current 10g (9.0.4) or 10g Release 2 (10.1.2) environment.

     For example, if you are using OracleAS Clusters in your current environment, install multiple 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) and create a 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) cluster.

     Note that 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) uses a new and improved clustering model. For more information, see Chapter 5, "Differences Between 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) and Previous Releases".

2. Optionally, apply any site-specific configuration settings to the new 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) Oracle HTTP Server and OC4J installations.

   For example, update the 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) Oracle HTTP Server httpd.conf file as necessary and define your data sources in the 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) OC4J instances.

3. Redeploy and test your 10g (9.0.4) and 10g Release 2 (10.1.2) J2EE applications on the new 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) environment.

   In some cases, this will require making changes to your applications to take advantage of new 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) capabilities and requirements.

4. When testing is complete, move your applications into the production in the new 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) environment.

5. Optionally, decommission the 10g (9.0.4) and 10g Release 2 (10.1.2) OC4J instances that were previously used to deploy and manage your J2EE applications.

See Also: Chapter 2, "Step-By-Step Upgrade Examples" for detailed examples of upgrading from 10g Release 2 (10.1.2) to 10g Release 3 (10.1.3)

1.3 Documentation Road Map for Previous Oracle Application Server Users

Before you get started with Oracle Application Server 10g Release 3 (10.1.3), take advantage of the following documentation resources. For example, consider reviewing the 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) books in the following order:

1. Review the Oracle Application Server Installation Guide.

   In particular, review Section 1.3, "Recommended Topologies," which describes common configurations to consider when installing 10g Release 3 (10.1.3).

2. Review the Oracle Application Server Enterprise Deployment Guide, which provides a detailed example of using 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) as the middle tier in an enterprise-wide deployment of Oracle Application Server.

3. Refer to the Oracle Application Server Administrator's Guide for information about the tools and procedures you can use to manage your 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) environment.

4. Refer to the Oracle Containers for J2EE Configuration and Administration Guide for general information about managing OC4J 10g Release 3 (10.1.3) instances.