8.2.1.3 Software Release Availability

The following table outlines the release cycles for Oracle Exadata System Software, Oracle Grid Infrastructure, and Oracle Database software.

Software	Release type	Release Frequency	Importance of Maintaining Up-to-Date Versions	Recommendation for Adopting New Releases
Oracle Exadata System Software	Software Release	6-18 months	Medium	Update to adopt new features and get critical fixes and security updates.
Oracle Exadata System Software	Maintenance Release	Monthly	High	Update regularly to get critical fixes and security updates. Oracle recommends that you remain within 12 months of the latest maintenance release.
Oracle Grid Infrastructure and Oracle Database software	Long Term Release	24+ months	Medium	Use long term releases for the highest level of stability and the longest length of error correction support.
Oracle Grid Infrastructure and Oracle Database software	Innovation Release	12-24 months	Medium	Use innovation releases to adopt new features as quickly as possible.
Oracle Grid Infrastructure and Oracle Database software	Release Update (RU)	3 months (quarterly)	High	Update quarterly to get critical fixes and security updates. Oracle recommends that you remain within 12 months of the latest release update.