The Triora Group

We here at Triora Group are big advocates of staying current on RDBMS versions, so we’re excitedly waiting for the next RDBMS 10g patch, Version 10.2.0.4. We know it includes more performance patches for the database - always a good thing. However, we have to stand by Oracle’s caveat - not until it’s certified for the E-Business Suite. In the meantime, though, let’s talk about the difference between a new database patch and a new database release.

Patch = Oracle Database 10g Release 2 Patch Set 3 (10.2.0.3) - the 10 is the major release, the .2 is the 2nd generation for this release and the .3 is the latest patchset. Much like with Oracle Database 9i Release 2 Patch Set 8 (9.2.0.8)

• Risk - Oracle is running Version 10.2.0.3 with Release 12 on RAC.  They are not running 11gRAC for their production database and, until they do so, we do not recommend getting ahead of them regardless of the differences between the two different Application releases in play, Release 11i and Release 12. This database version is also the first generation of a major database version certified with the Oracle Applications.  It’s not advisable to uptake the first release of a new database version and we recommend waiting for 11gR2 database certification.
• Certification - although the 11gR1 database version is certified for a 10gR2 RAC configuration, no document outlining the steps involved is available for public review on MetaLink.
• Database patch 10.2.0.4 documentation is publicly available on Oracle’s MetaLink website and indicates that we should expect to see this patch certified soon
• Database patch 10.2.0.3 or higher is required for the database portion of the April 2008 Oracle Critical Patch Updates (CPU) patches

Recommendation
Upgrade to or remain on the current database version, 10.2.0.3, until the database patch 10.2.0.4 has been released.  Once that database patch is certified with the Oracle Applications, apply that database maintenance patch if it makes sense to do so at that time.  There will be a variety of factors that will affect that decision including but not limited to projects in progress, scheduling, enhancements and fixes and Oracle recommended patches.

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