1.2 Preparing to Use OPatch

To ensure successful patching, there are several prerequisites you should complete to prepare your environment for running OPatch, such as obtaining the latest version of OPatch, obtaining required patches from My Oracle Support, and backing up the Oracle home.

For more information on preparing your environment, see the following topics:

• Locating and Obtaining the Latest Version of OPatch
  Before you run OPatch, find the OPatch utility in the Oracle home, and verify that you have the latest version.
• Obtaining Patches Required for Your Installation
  You can search for and download the patches required for your installation from My Oracle Support.
• OPatch Environment Variables for Fusion Middleware
  Before you run OPatch, ensure that you set the ORACLE_HOME environment variable.
• Backup and Recovery Considerations for Patching
  It is highly recommended that you back up the Oracle home before any patch operation. You can back up the Oracle home using your preferred method.