Understanding the PeopleTools Middleware DPKs

Overview

The installation of a PeopleSoft environment is performed using PeopleSoft deployment packages (DPKs). PeopleSoft Update Images for PUM, PeopleSoft Application Images, and PeopleSoft PeopleTools patches are comprised of DPKs. These DPKs include supporting (third-party) software required for setting up the PeopleSoft environments.

Note:

For an overview of the types of images and DPKs, see PeopleSoft PeopleTools <Release> Deployment Packages Installation, “Learning About the PeopleSoft Deployment Package,” Reviewing the Deployment Packages.

You can build or obtain separate PeopleTools Middleware DPKs (PT-MW-DPKs) that include updated versions of the supporting software with security updates or other patches for one or more of the components, and use these updated software versions for an existing environment. This documentation describes how to use the PT-MW-DPKs.

Note:

Prior to PeopleTools 8.63, the PeopleTools Middleware DPKs were called PeopleTools Infrastructure DPKs (PT-INFRA-DPKs). Another change in this release is that the PeopleTools Middleware DPKs cannot be used for new installations. They can only be used to apply CPUs on existing PeopleSoft environments.

Oracle mandates critical patch update (CPU) releases from Oracle products at regular intervals. The PT-MW-DPKs install the supporting software components listed in this section, which include CPUs and CSPUs (critical security patch updates). Keep in mind that Oracle may provide security fixes after the PT-MW-DPKs are posted. Review the Oracle PeopleSoft Risk Matrix on the Oracle Critical Patch Update advisories for necessary security updates for each quarter. If there are fixes that are published after the PT-MW-DPKs posting, you are responsible for obtaining and applying those manually.

See Critical Patch Updates, Security Alerts and Bulletins, https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/

Using PeopleTools Middleware DPK Builder Tool in PeopleTools 8.61 and PeopleTools 8.62

The Middleware DPK Builder tool was released with PeopleTools 8.63, however, it can be used also with PeopleTools 8.61 and PeopleTools 8.62. The PeopleTools 8.63 documentation for the Middleware DPK Builder tool applies also to its usage with PeopleTools 8.61 and PeopleTools 8.62. Customers on PeopleTools 8.61.23 or lower or PeopleTools 8.62.13 or lower, must apply the Middleware DPK Builder Enablement Patch to take advantage of the Middleware DPK Builder.

To download the patch:

  1. To access the patch search functionality, select Patches at the top of the My Oracle Support home page to display the Patch Search frame.

  2. Enter PeopleSoft PeopleTools in the Product field.

  3. Select PeopleSoft PeopleTools 8.61 or PeopleSoft PeopleTools 8.62 in the Release field.

  4. Locate the Middleware DPK Builder Enablement Patch named PTMWDPK-ENABLEMENT-861-[DATE].zip or PTMWDPK-ENABLEMENT-862-[DATE].zip.

  5. Download and extract the patch and use the instructions in the readme file to apply the package.

After applying the patch, use the Middleware DPK Builder documentation for reference and usage. For more information, see Understanding the PeopleTools Middlware DPK Builder Tool.

Note:

The PeopleTools 8.63 Middleware DPK Builder documentation applies to PeopleTools 8.63, PeopleTools 8.62, and PeopleTools 8.61 Middleware DPK Builder usage.