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ODA ODAVP RDBMS Choices and Restrictions for RDBMS Homes and Versions (Doc ID 1670474.1)

Last updated on APRIL 02, 2023

Applies to:

Oracle Database Appliance Software - Version 2.9.0.0 to 12.1.2.5 [Release 2.9 to 12.1]
Oracle Database Appliance - Version All Versions to All Versions [Release All Releases]
Oracle Database Appliance X3-2 - Version All Versions to All Versions [Release All Releases]
Oracle Database Appliance X4-2 - Version All Versions to All Versions [Release All Releases]
Information in this document applies to any platform.

Goal

The ODA does not use generic RDBMS patchsets or PSUs.

For example: An initial deployment of ODA 2.7 provides an ODA patched RDBMS version of 11.2.0.3.7.  However even though an 11.3.0.3.6 ODA RDBMS patched version was available for 2.6 the only way to install 11.3.0.3.6 would require a Bare Metal installation of 2.6. To install 11.3.0.3.7 the ODA would need to be upgraded to 2.7.

ODA 2.9 has the option of installing provided RDBMS patched 11.3.0.3.8 as well as install any previous RDBMS version provided since ODA 2.1.0.0.0. This includes any historic ODA RDBMS patchset binaries including 11.3.0.3.7, 11.3.0.3.6, 11.2.0.2.x and so on.  A la carte choices of older RDBMS versions would hold true between 2.9 and 2.10.

However, upgrading or installing ODA 12.1.x changes RDBMS version availability

 
NOTE: The information in this note is not current and does not discuss the following Hardware or ODA Versions

  • 12.1.2.12 or higher including any 12.2
  • Any X6-2 hardware version including X6-2 HA, X6-2 S/M/L
  • Any X7-2 hardware version including X7-2 HA, X7-2 S/M
  • Any versions

 

 

 

As of ODA 12.1.x there are two notable changes in RDBMS availability.


UPGRADES

For X4-2, X3-2 and V1 you can continue to use any existing and installed RDBMS versions that exist before upgrading to ODA 12.1.x.
However, once you are upgrading or re-installing (Bare metal) 12.1.x you must create any new databases using ACFS as the storage option.
Pre-existing databases below 11.2.0.4 will retain ASM storage. Pre-existing 11.2.0.4.x databases will allow migrating to ACFS or retaining ASM.
Any NEW databases as of 12.1.x ODA can only be created using ACFS storage. This is not optional. 

NEW INSTALLATIONS

As of ODA 12.1.x and higher the only allowed new RDBMS homes allowed are 11.2.0.4 and higher until you are on 12.1.2.4 and higher.
The reason is that all new databases created 12.1.x and higher default to using only ACFS on top of ASM. ASM only is not an option for new databases.
IF you are on 12.1.2.4 and higher you can now download and install 11.2.0.3.15 which is supported for ACFS. 11.2.0.4 and higher also supports ACFS. RDBMS versions for 11.2.0.2.x does _not_support ACFS.

However, if upgrading from 2.10 or lower any RDBMS versions installed prior to the 12.x upgrade would also be supported and continue to work.

 

X5-2 

The lowest version the X5-2 comes with is 12.1.2.2.0. Version 12.1.x GI on the ODA only supports ACFS (until 12.1.2.11 and higher)
ACFS is not supported on versions of the ODA on 2.10 and / or the GI at 11.2.0.4.x .
Originally the earliest version of RDBMS available on X5-2 was 11.2.0.4.x. unless you are on 12.1.2.4 and higher.
As of ODA version 12.1.2.4 and higher can use a specific ODA 11.2.0.3.15 provided RDBMS Clone file.
This RDBMS Clone file can be downloaded from My Oracle Support ( MOS ) or via links found in note 888888.1.

 

ODAVP 

One frequently asked question is installing RDBMS versions on a Virtualized image.
Although Virtualized RDBMS versions can be installed in ODAVP [ODA Virtualized Platform], performance will not be equivalent to ODA RDBMS versions installed on ODA_BASE.
 

Solution

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