8.2.4 Rules for Updating to Newer Exadata Version

When upgrading, you need to consider both the product version and date code of the installed and target releases.

In most circumstances it is sufficient to reference a release by the product version only, for example, 12.1.2.1.1.

Upgrading to a specific target version must adhere to the following rules, which are enforced by patchmgr:

1. The product version of the target release must be higher than the installed software

   and

2. The date code of the target release must be higher than the installed software.

For example, consider an Exadata Database Machine that is currently running image version 12.1.1.1.2.150411, which consists of product version 12.1.1.1.2 and date code 150411.

• Upgrading to 12.1.2.1.2.150617.1 is allowed because both rules are satisfied.

• Upgrading to 12.1.2.1.1.150316.2 is not allowed because date code 150411 of the installed software is higher than date code 150316 of the target release.