8.2.2 Configuration and Operational Best Practices for Software Maintenance

As part of planning your software update, you should review the different methods of performing updates and the best practices for updating the software.

• Understanding Rolling and Non-Rolling Updates
  Software updates can be performed in rolling manner while the database remains online and available, or non-rolling manner where Oracle Clusterware and Oracle Database are shutdown.
• Online Updates for Oracle Linux Kernel and Oracle Database Interim Fixes
   Online updates of qualified fixes are supported for Oracle Linux and Oracle Database.
• Configuration Practices for Optimal Software Maintenance
  When configuring an Exadata Database Machine, it is important to adopt features that will lessen the impact and risk of performing software updates.
• Operational Practices for Optimal Software Maintenance
  
• Version Compatibility and Mixed Version Support
  It is recommended that software for all components be updated regularly to stay in step with the recommended minimum release in order to maintain the most stable and secure system.