Best Practices for Maintaining Oracle Fusion Middleware

2. Best Practices for Maintaining Oracle Fusion Middleware Ken Vincent Senior Principle Technical Support Engineer Oracle Fusion Middleware September 30, 2014

4. Program Agenda Introduction - Oracle Services Overview Understanding Fusion Middleware Maintenance My Oracle Support Tools to Help You Resources to Help You Go Forward 1 2 3 4

5. Oracle Services Enabling the success of your Oracle hardware and software investments • Oracle Experts Helping You Succeed withYour Oracle Investments Complete Support for Oracle Hardware, Software, and Engineered Systems Mission Critical Support Services for All Oracle Applications and Technologies Your Complete Training Source for Oracle Hardware and Software Extend Your Oracle Investments to the Cloud with Value, Choice, and Confidence

6. Oracle Premier Support Comprehensive Coverage Tools and Resources Service and Support Product Innovation • Quickly diagnose and resolve issues • Expert technical support • Rapid-response field service • Lifetime Support • Get the most of your Oracle products with proactive services • Oracle knowledge base • Product health checks • My Oracle Support Community • Keep pace with change and capitalize on new opportunities • Updates • New releases • Tools to assist with patching and upgrades

7. Helping you get the most value fromOracle Premier Support Get Proactive Portfolio—an integral component of your Premier Support Contract

8. 2 Understanding Fusion Middleware Maintenance

9. Products and Components to Consider • Oracle WebLogic Server • Primary Oracle Fusion Middleware product(s) installed • Bundled components which provide underlying features • Database Client files (in addition to a remote Database Server) • Java JDK/JRE (used by Oracle products and your applications)

10. Why a Maintenance Strategy is Important • Security • Quickly address new issues • Proactively fix known issues • Keep your entire environment compatible between components • Stay within Premier Support guidelines throughout the life cycle

11. Lifetime Support and Error Correction • Lifetime Support Policy Dates • Premier and Extended dates • Sustaining Support is forever • Error Correction Policy • Error correction available for the current release until end of Premier or Extended • Previous releases have a Grace Period date based on a subsequent release • Doc ID 944866.1 helps planning by providing all Grace Period dates.

12. Introduction to Patch Set Releases Patch Sets are planned releases to maintain a product though a product’s life cycle • To updateexisting installations (e.g. 11.1.1.6 to 11.1.1.7) • To install a new installation at the same level (e.g. 11.1.1.7 straightaway) Patch Sets are usually intended for bug fixes but also introduce new features, improved documentation and functionality Before installing Patch Sets, there must be an understanding of product documentation, important links, and their integration.

13. Some Topics Which May Be Confusing Multiple downloads from various sources Following proper steps for a specific situation or component Integrating a Patch Set release within a new installation Integrated procedure with Oracle WebLogic Server Different Patch Set release schedules

14. Download, Installation, and Configuration Readme • Task 1: Review and Make Note of Your Operating System Capabilities (32-bit or 64-bit) • Task 2: Review the Certification, System Requirements, and Interoperability Information • Task 3: Understand the Types of Oracle Fusion Middleware Installers Available in This Release • Task 4: Select an Oracle Fusion Middleware Software Download Site • Task 5: Download the Software Required for Your Starting Point • Task 6: Refer to the Installation and Configuration Documentation for Next Steps

15. Other Utilities Used for Maintenance • Repository Creation Utility (RCU) installs the schemas • May be run again to expand your environment • Patch Set Assistant (PSA) updates existing schemas • After a Patch Set has been applied • OPatch Utility installs interim patches • WLS has used Smart Update, 12c now uses OPatch • OPatch Installs Patch Set Updates (in between Patch Sets) • OPatch installs Bundle Patches • OPatch installs Security Patch Updates

16. Java SE (JDK/JRE) Updates Are Separate Considerations When Updating the JDK • Java updates are always recommended (e.g. Java 1.6.0_xx to 1.6.0_yy) • Java upgrades are subject to certification (e.g. Java 6 to 7) • Test features you use and your applications • JDK location is in configuration files • There can be more than one JDK on system • Many products on system may be sharing a JDK

17. Tips for Maintaining Java with FMW/WLS • Install a separate Java directory • Administer a directory specifically for FMW • Avoid unexpected system updates • Plan testing activities • Choose a generic directory • Avoid continual config file updates • Just swap out directories • Set your PATH and JAVA_HOME

18. My Oracle Support Tools to Help You 3

19. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools • Get Proactive! • Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA) • Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM) • Certification Tool • Lifecycle Advisors • Recommended Patches

20. Oracle Premier Support: Get Proactive! (Doc ID 432.1) • Index page to most of the topics discussed in this presentation • Help you solve problems without having to log a SR • Streamline and simplify your daily operations • Reduce risks and maximize up-time and lower your organizations costs through preventative maintenance • Get Proactive

21. Oracle Premier Support: Get Proactive! (Doc ID 432.1) • This note is index page to most of the topics discussed in this presentation • Help you solve problems without having to log a SR • Streamline and simplify your daily operations • Reduce risks and maximize up-time and lower your organizations costs through preventative maintenance • Get Proactive

22. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools • Get Proactive! • Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA) • Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM) • Certification Tool • Lifecycle Advisors • Recommended Patches

23. Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA) Why is this related to maintenance? • RDA is a command-line diagnostic tool • Provides a unified package of support diagnostics tools and preventive solutions • Captured data aids in problem diagnosis • Can reduce Service Request resolution time • Can see components installed and patches already applied

24. Configure RDA with Fusion Middleware 11g/12c • 11g installed in ORACLE_HOME/rda • With all Fusion Middleware 11g products, exceptstandalone WebLogicServer • 12c installed in ORACLE_HOME/oracle_common/rda • With all Fusion Middleware 12c (12.1.2+), includingstandalone WebLogicServer • Automatically updated quarterly if using Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM) in connected mode • To configure RDA refer to: • Get Proactive with Fusion Middleware : Resolve Problems Faster! Use Remote Diagnostic Agent (Doc ID 1498376.1)

25. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools • Get Proactive! • Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA) • Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM) • Certification Tool • Lifecycle Advisors • Recommended Patches

26. Oracle Configuration Manager • Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM) captures configuration data from your installation and uploads it to Oracle • Oracle Configuration Manager Collection Overview (Doc ID 728985.5) • Configuration details displayed in My Oracle Support. • OCM

27. Oracle Configuration Manager Advantages • Service Request Priority Handling if your OCM data associated • Make use of Configuration Change History • Historical data allows two snapshots to be compared to report differences • Data collected is used to provide custom recommendations • Health Checks monitor configuration data automatically • Patch Recommendations list patches and updates for your Oracle software

28. Oracle Configuration Manager: Security & Privacy Security Concerns? • OCM does not collect: • Business transactions, production data or passwords • You may choose between manual or automated upload • SSL is used for all communications • Data only visible for users with your Customer Support Identifier • Oracle Configuration Manager Security Overview (Doc ID 728982.5)

29. Configure OCM with Fusion Middleware 11g/12c • OCM is installed with all 11g/12c products including WebLogic Server • OCM is configured during installation/configuration • If you select “Yes” to Receiving Security Updates • To configure OCM post installation/configuration refer to: • Fusion Middleware RDA/OCM Documentation (Doc ID 1419273.1) • A Quick and Easy Guide to Configure OCM (Doc ID 1096871.1)

30. Learn More – Preview of Collector Tab • Step 1: Click on the Collector tab • Step 2: ______ • Step 3: ______ • My Oracle Support

31. Collector Tab • Click on the Collector tab • My Oracle Support

32. Collector Tab – Download Selection • Step 1: Click on the Collector tab • Step 2: Download latest OCM release • Step 3: ______ • My Oracle Support

33. Collector Tab – Download and Try It! • Click on the Collector tab • Download the latest OCM release if you aren’t using OCM in connected mode • My Oracle Support

34. Collector Tab – OCM Documentation • Step 1: Click on the Collector tab • Step 2: Download the latest OCM release if you aren’t using OCM in connected mode • Step 3: Review the OCM documentation • My Oracle Support

35. Learn More About Oracle Configuration Manager! • Click on the Collector tab • Download the latest OCM release if you aren’t using OCM in connected mode • Review the OCM documentation • My Oracle Support

36. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools • Get Proactive! • Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA) • Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM) • Certification Tool • Lifecycle Advisors • Recommended Patches

37. My Oracle Support Certification • Certification • A certification is any combination of Oracle, third-party products and operating systems that Oracle has tested and confirms work together. • My Oracle Support accessed via Certifications tab • Simple, easy to use, source of truth for certified Oracle Products • A must use tool for planning maintainable Oracle ecosystems • Easy to lookup popular certifications • Available on the newer versions of each product

38. Certification Lookup Results • Certification Questions? • Try the New Middleware Certification Community! • No Service Request Required • Staffed with Oracle Support Engineers

39. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools • Get Proactive! • Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA) • Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM) • Certification Tool • Lifecycle Advisors • Recommended Patches

40. Upgrade Lifecycle Advisors – Most Popular (Doc ID 250.1) • Upgrade Lifecycle Advisors follow a typical customer use case • Upgrade Guidance from to Fusion Middleware 11g • From Oracle Application Server 10g or WebLogic Server 9.2 • Currently working on 12c • Refers you to other Doc IDs, Multimedia & Manuals as required • Step by step format

41. Upgrade Lifecycle Advisors – Navigation Demo • Six Phases of Upgrade • Lifecycle Advisors

42. Six Phases of Upgrade • Six Phases of Upgrade • Lifecycle Advisors

43. Step by Step Guide • Six Phases of Upgrade • Check of steps as you review them. Progress tracked between visits • Lifecycle Advisors

44. Step by Step Guide • Six Phases of Upgrade • Check of steps as you review them. Progress tracked between visits • Lifecycle Advisors

45. Multimedia Training • Six Phases of Upgrade • Check of steps as you review them. Progress tracked between visits • Available Multimedia Content • Lifecycle Advisors

46. Multimedia Training • Six Phases of Upgrade • Check of steps as you review them. Progress tracked between visits • Available Multimedia content • Lifecycle Advisors

47. Patching & Maintenance Lifecycle Advisor • Helps you to establish a patching strategy. Takes you through four phases of Evaluate, Plan, Test and Implement • Contains inline Multimedia Content & Manuals as required • My Oracle Support

48. Patching & Maintenance Lifecycle Advisor (Doc ID 305.1) • Covers patching tools and concepts such as: • Fusion Middleware 11g Patch Sets and Patch Set Installers • Fusion Middleware 11g Interim, Merge, Bundle and Backport Patches • OPatch • Smart Update • Critical Patch Updates (CPU) • PatchSet Updates (PSU)

49. Topics for My Oracle Support Tools • Get Proactive! • Remote Diagnostic Agent (RDA) • Oracle Configuration Manager (OCM) • Certification Tool • Lifecycle Advisors • Recommended Patches

50. Patch Recommendations (Doc ID 859115.1) • List patches and updates for Oracle software • Recommended Patches include: • Security Patch Updates (SPU) • PatchSet Updates (PSU) • Patch Bundles • Performance related patches • My Oracle Support Recommended Patches for Oracle WebLogic Server & Oracle Fusion Middleware Products (Doc ID 859115.1)