8.2.2.2 Online Updates for Oracle Linux Kernel and Oracle Database Interim Fixes

 Online updates of qualified fixes are supported for Oracle Linux and Oracle Database.

Typically, planned software updates require that the component be restarted after the update. For example, an Exadata database server must be restarted after applying an Exadata software release to update the system firmware and to make active a new Oracle Linux kernel. Similarly, an Oracle database instance must be stopped and restarted to apply a software update to the database home.

Oracle supplies some interim fixes, however, that can be applied online, such that a component does not require a restart to apply the fix and make them active. Online updates of qualified fixes are supported for the following components:

• Oracle Linux kernel on Exadata database servers using the Ksplice Offline Client.

• Oracle Database using OPatch Online Patching.

Online updates are typically performed as a temporary measure when a critical fix must be applied to the system before the next scheduled planned software maintenance.