2 Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) Interoperability and Compatibility

This chapter summarizes the specific interoperability and compatibility considerations and issues for the Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) release.

This chapter contains the following sections:

2.1 About the Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) Release

The following sections provide general information about Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) in terms of its compatibility and interoperability with other Oracle Fusion Middleware products:

2.1.1 Products and Features Available in Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3)

Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) is the third major release of Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c.

Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) includes updates to the following products that were originally distributed in Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.2):

  • Oracle JDeveloper

  • Oracle WebLogic Server and Coherence

  • Oracle Fusion Middleware Infrastructure

  • Oracle HTTP Server

  • Oracle Data Integrator

Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) also includes the following Oracle Fusion Middleware products, which have been re-introduced and re-engineered for Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c:

  • Oracle SOA Suite

  • Oracle Business Process Management

  • Oracle Service Bus

  • Oracle Managed File Transfer

  • Oracle Event Processing

  • Oracle Data Service Integrator

This is not a definitive list of products released with Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3). For information about all the Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) products, refer to the Understanding Oracle Fusion Middleware.

2.1.2 Products and Features Not Available in Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3)

Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) does not include many of the Oracle Fusion Middleware products that were available in Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g.

As a result, there are specific considerations when installing and configuring Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) in an existing Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g environment.

This chapter provides additional information about the compatibility of this release with previous Oracle Fusion Middleware releases and other Oracle Fusion Middleware products.

2.2 Oracle Fusion Middleware Compatibility with Previous Releases

Refer to the following sections for information on Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) compatibility with previous Oracle Fusion Middleware releases:

2.2.1 Compatibility with Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g

If you are currently running Oracle WebLogic Server 11g products, then be aware of the following:

  • Do not install Oracle WebLogic Server 12c (12.1.3) in the same Middleware home or Oracle home as any previous Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g or Oracle WebLogic Server 11g products. This includes Oracle WebLogic Server 10.3.

  • Do not install any Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g products in the same Oracle home as Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3).

Similarly, you cannot extend an existing Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g or Oracle WebLogic Server 11g domain with Oracle WebLogic Server 12c (12.1.3).

2.2.2 Compatibility with Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.2)

If you are currently running Oracle WebLogic Server 11g products, then be aware of the following:

  • Do not install Oracle WebLogic Server 12c (12.1.3) in the same Oracle home used by Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.2).

  • Do not install any Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.2) products in the same Oracle home as Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3).

Similarly, you cannot extend an existing Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.2) domain with Oracle WebLogic Server 12c (12.1.3).

2.3 Compatibility Issues Affecting Upgrade to Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3)

Not all the Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g products are available in Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3). As a result, you must consider the domain compatibility of the products you have configured in each Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g domain before you begin the upgrade process.

For example, if you configured both Oracle SOA Suite and Oracle WebCenter Portal in the same 11g domain, then you cannot upgrade the domain to Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3). There are two reasons why this is not supported:

  • The resulting domain would be an incompatible domain, because it would contain Oracle SOA Suite 12c (12.1.3) and Oracle WebCenter Portal 11g.

  • The Oracle Fusion Middleware Reconfiguration Wizard (one of the tools used to upgrade to Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c) will fail when it identifies Oracle WebCenter Portal in the 11g domain.

Similarly, you cannot upgrade a domain that contains Oracle Enterprise Repository 11g. Oracle Enterprise Repository is not available in Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3).

2.4 Oracle HTTP Server Interoperability and Compatibility

Table 2-1 summarizes the most common interoperability scenarios for Oracle HTTP Server and other Oracle Fusion Middleware components. The information in the table was accurate as of the publishing of this document.

For complete information about the interoperability of Oracle HTTP Server, see the certification information available on the Oracle Technology Network (OTN). For more information, see Section 1.4.2, "Using Oracle Certification Matrices".

As you review the table, consider the following:

  • Interoperability between versions (such as between Oracle HTTP Server 11g and Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c) are supported only when the products are installed in separate Oracle homes. In general, Oracle does not support the installation of products of different versions in the same Oracle home. For more information, see Section 2.8.

  • Oracle HTTP Server 12c includes WebGate 12c, which can be used to integrate Oracle WebLogic Server or Oracle Application Server Infrastructure with Oracle Access Manager. For more information, see Section 2.6.1.

Table 2-1 Oracle HTTP Server Interoperability with Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c


 Versions of Oracle HTTP Server Before 11g (11.1.1.6.0) Oracle HTTP Server 11g (11.1.1.6.0) or Later Oracle HTTP Server 12c

Oracle WebLogic Server and Coherence 12c (12.1.2)

 Red "X" icon. Green check icon Green check icon

Oracle Fusion Middleware Infrastructure 12c (12.1.2)

 Red "X" icon. Green check icon Green check icon

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.6.0)

Green check icon.

Green check icon

Green check icon

Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.7.0)

Green check icon

Green check icon

Green check icon

2.5 Interoperability with Supported Databases

Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) supports specific database versions for hosting the required Oracle Fusion Middleware product and component schemas and for other specific product features.

The certification information on the Oracle Technology Network (OTN) provides information about the specific database versions supported by Oracle Fusion Middleware. For more information on using the certification information, see Section 1.4.2, "Using Oracle Certification Matrices".

However, in some cases, an Oracle Fusion Middleware feature or component requires a more specific database version or a specific database feature that is available in a particular database release.

The following sections describes some of those specific features and database requirements:

2.5.1 Oracle Database Interoperability Considerations

In addition to the information available in the certification information on the Oracle Technology Network (OTN), Table 2-2 provides some additional considerations when using specific Oracle database features.

Table 2-2 Database Version Requirements for Selected Products and Features

Product or Feature Database Requirement Restrictions More Information

Using SCAN addresses with GridLink data sources.

Oracle Database 11.2 or later, with Single Client Access Name (SCAN) enabled

None

"SCAN Addresses" in Administering JDBC Data Sources for Oracle WebLogic Server

JDBC Multi Data Sources

All Oracle Database versions supported by Oracle Fusion Middleware

None.

"Configuring JDBC Multi Data Sources" in Administering JDBC Data Sources for Oracle WebLogic Server

Using Edition-Based Redefinition (EBR) when creating schemas in an Oracle database

Oracle Database 11.2 or later

EBR is supported by all Oracle Fusion Middleware schemas, except where noted.

Support for pluggable databases (PDBs)

Oracle Database 12.1 or later

PDBs are supported for Oracle Fusion Middleware schemas.

Connecting to a multitenant container database (CDB) from the Repository Creation Utility is not supported.

'"Managing Pluggable Databases" in the Oracle Database Administrator's Guide

2.5.2 Java DB Interoperability Considerations

As described in the certification information, Oracle supports the use of Java DB as a repository for the required Oracle Fusion Middleware schemas in a limited set of Oracle WebLogic Server domain configurations.

Specifically, for evaluation or development purposes only, you can use Java DB to host the required schemas for an Oracle Application Server Infrastructure domain.

For example, you can install the required Oracle Fusion Middleware schemas in a Java DB database and reference the Java DB data sources during the configuration of an Oracle Application Server Infrastructure domain.

In addition, by default, the Oracle JDeveloper Integrated WebLogic Server, which is installed with the Oracle SOA Suite Quick Start and Oracle Business Process Management Quick Start installers, is configured to use a pre-configured instance of Java DB. For more information, see Installing SOA Suite and Business Process Management Suite Quick Start for Developers.

For more information about Java DB, refer to the Java DB documentation at the following URL:

http://docs.oracle.com/javadb

For more information on certified databases, see Section 1.4.2, "Using Oracle Certification Matrices".

2.6 Interoperability with Oracle Identity Management Products

This section provide information about Oracle Identity Management Interoperability with Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c:

2.6.1 Interoperability with Oracle Identity and Access Management

Table 2-3 shows the interoperability of Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) with the available versions of Oracle Identity and Access Management.

When reviewing the interoperability of Oracle Identity and Access Management and Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c, consider the following:

  • In most cases, you can use currently available versions of Oracle Identity and Access Management with Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c because the Oracle Identity and Access Management products are installed in a separate Oracle home and configured in a separate Oracle WebLogic Server domain.

    For more information, see Section 2.8, "Oracle Home and Domain Extension Interoperability".

  • The information shown in Table 2-3 was accurate at the time this document was published. Always check the certification information on the Oracle Technology Network (OTN) for the latest certification information.

  • Oracle HTTP Server 12c (12.1.3) includes WebGate 12c (12.1.3), which can be used to integrate Oracle WebLogic Server or Oracle Application Server Infrastructure with Oracle Access Manager 11g (11.1.1.5.0) or later. For more information, see Section 2.4.

Table 2-3 Oracle Identity and Access Management Interoperability with Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c


 Oracle Identity and Access Management Versions Before 11.1.1.5.0 Oracle Identity and Access Management 11.1.1.5 or later Oracle Identity and Access Management 11g Release 2 (11.1.2)

Oracle WebLogic Server and Coherence 12c (12.1.3)

 Red "X" icon Green check icon Green check icon

Oracle Fusion Middleware Infrastructure 12c (12.1.3)

 Red "X" icon Green check icon Green check icon

2.6.2 Interoperability with Oracle Identity Management Directory Services

Table 2-3 shows the interoperability of Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) with the available versions of Oracle Identity Management Directory Services.

When reviewing the interoperability of Oracle Identity Management and Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c, consider the following:

  • In most cases, you can use currently available versions of Oracle Identity and Access Management with Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c because the Oracle Identity and Access Management products are installed in a separate Oracle home and configured in a separate Oracle WebLogic Server domain.

    For more information, see Section 2.8, "Oracle Home and Domain Extension Interoperability".

  • The information shown in Table 2-4 was accurate at the time this document was published. Always check the certification information on the Oracle Technology Network (OTN) for the latest certification information.

Table 2-4 Oracle Identity Management Directory Services Interoperability with Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c


 Oracle Internet Directory and Oracle Virtual Directory Versions Before 11.1.1.5.0 Oracle Internet Directory and Oracle Virtual Directory 11.1.1.5 or later Oracle Unified Directory 11g (11.1.2)

Oracle WebLogic Server and Coherence 12c (12.1.3)

 Red "X" icon Green check icon Green check icon

Oracle Fusion Middleware Infrastructure 12c (12.1.3)

 Red "X" icon Green check icon Green check icon

2.7 Oracle Web Services Interoperability

Web services are Web-based applications that use open, XML-based standards and transport protocols to exchange data with clients. Web services are developed using Java Technology APIs and tools provided by an integrated Web services category.

Oracle supports several Web services categories, which are associated with specific Oracle Fusion Middleware products and components. For more information, see Understanding Web Services.

These Oracle Web services categories support a variety of Web services message formats, capabilities, and security features. While this support varies from one category to another, all the Oracle Web services categories support the following standard features in the communication messages they send and receive:

  • Plain SOAP

  • WS-Security, With SSL

  • WS-Security, No SSL

As a result, if you develop Web services applications that support these types of Web services messages, then the services you create can be used Interoperability with any of the Oracle Web services security categories.

For a more information about the supported WS-Security scenarios between the categories and information on how to configure Web services endpoints, refer to the Interoperability Solutions Guide for Oracle Web Services Manager.

2.8 Oracle Home and Domain Extension Interoperability

The following sections provide information about the interoperability of Oracle Fusion Middleware products when installing products in an Oracle home and when extending existing Oracle WebLogic Server domains:

2.8.1 Oracle Home Interoperability

When installing Oracle Fusion Middleware products, be sure that each Oracle home you create contains only products that are at the same version or patch set. Each product has its own maintenance schedule, and it is possible that future interoperability issues could result.

For example, unless otherwise documented, you cannot install Oracle SOA Suite 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.7.0) in the same Oracle home with Oracle Application Server Infrastructure 12c (12.1.3).

This rule applies when installing new products, as well as when applying patches.

Exception to the Oracle Home Interoperability Rule:

Oracle does not support the configuration of Oracle Business Process Management 12c (12.1.3) and Oracle SOA Suite for Healthcare Integration 12c (12.1.3) in the same domain. If you plan to use both these Oracle Fusion Middleware products, be sure to configure them in separate domains.

2.8.2 Domain Extension Interoperability

You can extend an existing Oracle Fusion Middleware product domain to support another Oracle Fusion Middleware product, as long as they are the same version number or patch set.

For example, if you have an existing SOA Suite 11g Release 1 (11.1.1.7.0) domain, do not attempt to extend or patch that domain using Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c. To avoid potential interoperability issues, wait until both suites are available at equivalent versions.

Exception to the Domain Extension Interoperability Rule:

Oracle does not support the configuration of Oracle Business Process Management 12c (12.1.3) and Oracle SOA Suite for Healthcare Integration 12c (12.1.3) in the same domain. If you plan to use both these Oracle Fusion Middleware products, be sure to configure them in separate domains.

2.9 Interoperability with Custom and Client Applications

When you upgrade to Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c, or if you apply any patches on an existing Oracle Fusion Middleware, you should consider the impact on your custom applications, such as:

  • Applications written using JDeveloper

  • Applications using any other IDE, but also using any of the Oracle Fusion Middleware public Java APIs.

Specifically, the information in this section applies in the following situations:

  • If you have created custom applications that you have deployed on Oracle Application Server 10g or Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g.

  • If you have created or if you maintain client applications that interact with applications you deployed on Oracle Application Server 10g or Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g.

Oracle attempts to support binary and source-level compatibility between the current version of Fusion Middleware and patch set updates applied to it. Where incompatibilities arise with public interfaces, they are documented in the related API reference guides. For more information, see "Reference and APIs" in the Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.3) documentation library.

Oracle recommends that you ensure the business applications adopting new versions or upgrades are tested through your normal release process to ensure there are no regressions.

In general, applying Oracle Fusion Middleware patch sets should require no additional changes to your custom or client applications. When upgrading, however, you should expect some changes.

For more information on WebLogic Server compatibility, see "WebLogic Server 12.1.3 Compatibility with Previous Releases" in Upgrading Oracle WebLogic Server.