Oracle Data Guard Patching Workflow

If the primary and the standby databases are running from the same cluster, follow these steps:

1. Search for the required patch, then create a patch plan by selecting the cluster target.
2. Specify the required deployment options.
3. Analyze and deploy the plan.

However, if the primary and the standby databases are running from different clusters, follow these steps:

1. Search for the required patch, then create a patch plan by selecting the cluster target that contains the standby database.
2. Specify the required deployment options.
3. Analyze and deploy the plan.
4. (Optional) Perform a database switchover, such that the standby database becomes the new primary database, and vice versa. Performing a switchover can save database downtime.
   For information on how to perform a database switchover, see Overview of Switchover and Failover in a Broker Environment in Oracle Data Guard Broker.
5. Search for the required patch, then create another patch plan by selecting the cluster target that contains the primary database (or the new standby database, in case you have performed a switchover).
6. Specify the required deployment options.
7. Analyze and deploy the plan.

Note:

• Oracle recommends that you patch the standby database first, then patch the primary database.
• If your environment consists of multiple standby databases, ensure that you patch all the standby databases first, then patch the primary database. In case you want to perform a switchover, ensure that you patch a single standby database first, perform the switchover, then patch the remaining standby databases and the new standby database.