3 Performing a Silent Upgrade with a Response File

Silent or “hands free” upgrades can be performed using a response file. The response file can only be created after you have provided the information in the Upgrade Assistant screens.

The following topics describe how you can upgrade the supported Oracle Fusion Middleware components using a response file. The response file collects all the information that you have entered through the Upgrade Assistant's graphical user interface screens, and performs exactly the same function that the Upgrade Assistant wizard performs.

Note:

You must run the Upgrade Assistant in GUI mode first to generate the response file that will be used to complete your silent upgrade.
  • Creating an Upgrade Response File
    You must run the Oracle Fusion Middleware Upgrade Assistant in graphical mode to generate a response file.
  • Using the Response File to Upgrade Fusion Middleware
    You can use a response file to record the information that you have entered through the Oracle Fusion Middleware Upgrade Assistant's screens, allowing you to later perform the same actions using the command line. Starting the Oracle Fusion Middleware Upgrade Assistant in this way is also known as silent mode.

3.1 Creating an Upgrade Response File

You must run the Oracle Fusion Middleware Upgrade Assistant in graphical mode to generate a response file.

The Save Response File option on the Upgrade Summary screen creates a file that uses the information you have already provided in the Oracle Fusion Middleware Upgrade Assistant screens. The response file enables you to use the saved information instead of manually entering data through the Oracle Fusion Middleware Upgrade Assistant wizard screens.

Once you select the Save Response File option, you will be prompted for a name and location where you want to create this response file. After it is created, you can use it exactly as-is to replicate the upgrade options on other systems, or modify it as needed.

3.2 Using the Response File to Upgrade Fusion Middleware

You can use a response file to record the information that you have entered through the Oracle Fusion Middleware Upgrade Assistant's screens, allowing you to later perform the same actions using the command line. Starting the Oracle Fusion Middleware Upgrade Assistant in this way is also known as silent mode.

Note:

You must run the Oracle Fusion Middleware Upgrade Assistant in GUI mode first to generate the response file that can be used to complete a silent readiness check or upgrade.

To start the Oracle Fusion Middleware Upgrade Assistant using a response file:
  1. Navigate to the /upgrade/bin directory:
    (UNIX) ORACLE_HOME/oracle_common/upgrade/bin
    (Windows) ORACLE_HOME\oracle_common\upgrade\bin
  2. Enter the following command to start the Oracle Fusion Middleware Upgrade Assistant using a response file:
    (UNIX) ./ua -response response_file[-examine] [-logLevel log_level] [-logDir log_directory] [-threads number]
    (Windows) ua.bat -response response_file[-examine] [-logLevel log_level] [-logDir log_directory] [-threads number]

    For information about the optional command line parameters, see:

3.2.1 Upgrade Assistant Parameters

When you start the Upgrade Assistant from the command line, you can specify additional parameters.

Table 3-1 Upgrade Assistant Command Line Parameters

Parameter Required or Optional Description

-readiness

 Required for readiness checks

NOTE: Readiness checks cannot be performed on standalone installations (those not managed by the WebLogic Server).

Performs the upgrade readiness check without performing an actual upgrade.

Schemas and configurations are checked.

Do not use this parameter if you have specified the -examine parameter.

-threads

 Optional

Identifies the number of threads available for concurrent schema upgrades or readiness checks of the schemas.

The value must be a positive integer in the range 1 to 8. The default is 4.

-response

Required for silent upgrades or silent readiness checks

Runs the Upgrade Assistant using inputs saved to a response file generated from the data that is entered when the Upgrade Assistant is run in GUI mode. Using this parameter runs the the Upgrade Assistant in silent mode (without displaying Upgrade Assistant screens).

-examine

Optional

Performs the examine phase but does not perform an actual upgrade.

Do not specify this parameter if you have specified the -readiness parameter.

-logLevel attribute

Optional

Sets the logging level, specifying one of the following attributes:

  • TRACE

  • NOTIFICATION

  • WARNING

  • ERROR

  • INCIDENT_ERROR

The default logging level is NOTIFICATION.

Consider setting the -logLevel TRACE attribute to so that more information is logged. This is useful when troubleshooting a failed upgrade. The Upgrade Assistant's log files can become very large if -logLevel TRACE is used.

-logDir location

Optional

Sets the default location of upgrade log files and temporary files. You must specify an existing, writable directory where the Upgrade Assistant will create log files and temporary files.

The default locations are:

UNIX:

ORACLE_HOME/oracle_common/upgrade/logs
ORACLE_HOME/oracle_common/upgrade/temp

Windows:

ORACLE_HOME\oracle_common\upgrade\logs
ORACLE_HOME\oracle_common\upgrade\temp

-help

Optional

Displays all of the command line options.