1.4.2 Restrictions for Modifying the Oracle Exadata Software Components

The following restrictions apply to software modifications on Oracle Exadata, including firmware updates and operating system configuration changes. Violating these restrictions may void the warranty and result in the loss of Oracle Support.

• You cannot update the firmware directly on the Oracle Exadata Storage Servers. The storage server firmware may only be updated as part of an Oracle Exadata System Software update or using a patch provided by Oracle Support Services.

• You can update the OS and firmware versions on the Management Network Switch to meet customer-specific data center requirements.

• You can update the firmware of the components of the database servers provided the update complies with the restrictions documented in Exadata Database Machine and Exadata Storage Server Supported Versions (My Oracle Support Doc ID KB153930), and its related notes.

• You can update the firmware of the RDMA Network Fabric switches provided the update complies with the validated versions documented in Exadata Database Machine and Exadata Storage Server Supported Versions (My Oracle Support Doc ID KB153930), and its related notes.

• You cannot install any additional software or agents on the Oracle Exadata Storage Servers.

• On Oracle Exadata Storage Servers, you can install qualified Ksplice updates for the Oracle Linux kernel or update individual software packages (RPMs) only in the following circumstances:

  1. To address a critical known security vulnerability with a Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score of 9 or greater, and only when the update is not available in a regular Oracle Exadata System Software update. If the updated package is available in an Oracle Exadata System Software update, then you must apply the Exadata update.

  2. To address a Service Request (SR), but only with the express direction and approval of Oracle Support Services.

  Individual RPM updates to Oracle Linux kernel packages, RDMA Network Fabric packages, and firmware packages are not permitted under any circumstances. Qualified Oracle Linux kernel updates are supported only through the Ksplice update mechanism.

  See also Updating Individual Packages on Exadata Storage Servers and Installing Kernel Updates on Oracle Exadata Storage Servers.

• On Oracle Exadata database servers, you can install qualified Ksplice updates for the Oracle Linux kernel.

  Qualified Oracle Linux kernel updates are supported only through the Ksplice update mechanism. Individual RPM updates to Oracle Linux kernel packages are not permitted under any circumstances.

  See also Installing Kernel Updates on Oracle Exadata Database Servers.

• On Oracle Exadata database servers, you can update individual software packages (RPMs). However, customizing the system by updating individual packages may introduce dependencies that a subsequent Oracle Exadata System Software update cannot handle. Oracle therefore recommends updating individual packages only when necessary. Before updating an individual package, check whether an Exadata update includes the required package update. If it does, apply the Exadata update instead. Where possible, use Exadata Live Update to apply the latest Exadata security updates while maximizing system availability.

  Individual RPM updates to Oracle Linux kernel packages and RDMA Network Fabric packages are not permitted under any circumstances.

  See also Updating Individual Packages on Exadata Database Servers.

• You may load additional software on the database servers. However, to ensure best performance, Oracle discourages adding software except for agents, such as backup agents and security monitoring agents, on the database servers.

  See Installing, Updating, and Managing Additional Software Packages.

• Loading non-standard kernel modules on the operating system of the database servers is allowed but discouraged. Oracle will not support questions or issues with the non-standard modules. If a server crashes, and Oracle suspects the crash may have been caused by a non-standard module, then Oracle support may refer you to the vendor of the non-standard module or ask that the issue be reproduced without the non-standard module.

  Starting with Oracle Exachk version 24.10, Exachk highlights system modules that taint the Linux kernel.

• You can install Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control Management Agents or Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control Management Agents on the database servers to monitor the system.

• Installing Oracle Enterprise Manager Ops Center agents to monitor the system is not allowed.

• RDMA Network Fabric-related packages must always be maintained at the officially supported release.

• As part of the initial system configuration, Oracle Exadata Deployment Assistant (OEDA) creates bonded network interfaces by combining two physical network interfaces for the client network and each configured additional network.

  You can manually modify the configuration of each bonded network interface, but Oracle discourages doing so. Oracle does not provide support for questions or issues related to nonstandard bonding configurations. Regardless of any other configuration changes, each bonded network interface must contain at least two physical network interfaces.