2 Preparing to Upgrade Oracle Database

Complete preupgrade tasks and checks to assist you with completing a successful upgrade.

This chapter provides information and procedures for the pre-upgrade tasks, including planning your upgrades, data-gathering, testing, installing the new Oracle software for the upgrade.

• Tasks to Prepare for Oracle Database Upgrades
  Carry out these tasks to prepare your upgrade.
• Installing the New Oracle Database Software for Single Instance
  Use this procedure overview to assist you to install the software for the new Oracle Database release for a single instance deployment.
• Installing the New Oracle Database Software for Oracle RAC
  Use this procedure overview to assist you to install the software for the new Oracle Database release for an Oracle RAC deployment.
• Database Preparation Tasks to Complete Before Starting Oracle Database Upgrades
  Ensure that you have completed these database preparation tasks before starting an Oracle Database upgrade.
• Preparing the New Oracle Home for Upgrading
  To prepare the new Oracle home in a new location, check to see if you must move configuration files, or complete other tasks.
• Prerequisites for Preparing Oracle Home on Windows
  Your system must meet these requirements before you can upgrade Oracle Database on Microsoft Windows platforms.
• Performing Preupgrade Checks Using AutoUpgrade
  The AutoUpgrade Utility is a Java JAR file provided by Oracle that helps to ensure that your upgrade completes successfully.
• Testing the Upgrade Process for Oracle Database
  Your test plan for Oracle Database upgrades should include these test procedures.
• Upgrade Oracle Call Interface (OCI) and Precompiler Applications
  Upgrade any Oracle Call Interface (OCI) and precompiler applications that you plan to use with the new release of Oracle Database.
• Requirements for Upgrading Databases That Use Oracle Database Vault
  You must complete these tasks before starting an upgrade with a database using Oracle Database Vault.
• Back Up Oracle Database Before Upgrading
  Use this procedure to back up your existing Oracle Database before you attempt an upgrade.