4.1.3 Exadata Upgrade Improvements

Oracle Exadata System Software 22.1.0 includes numerous changes that deliver quicker upgrades for Exadata database servers. The changes include:

• Optimizing the sequence of operations to remove unnecessary repetition, unnecessary checks, and unnecessary reboots.

• Performing operations and checks asynchronously (in the background) and in parallel where possible.

• Optimizing the packaging of Exadata software images to remove unnecessary repackaging.

• Pre-staging software and firmware images where possible.

The improvements cover all aspects of the upgrade process, including the Operating System (OS) upgrade procedures, Oracle software upgrade procedures, Exadata software imaging procedures, and firmware upgrade procedures.

Individual results vary depending on many variables, including the system configuration, system load, pre-upgrade software version, and system size. In most cases, each server upgrade is at least 10% faster. While in some cases, the upgrade duration is half of comparable previous upgrades.

Furthermore, the benefit multiplies across multiple servers. So, depending on the size of the rack, or the number of racks in the fleet, these improvements can reduce the overall time to perform an upgrade by hours or even days.