Oracle E-Business Suite Patching - Best Practices

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Use Defaultsfile for patching to avoid enter common adpatch questions

The defaultsfile stores default values for the adpatch utility. Manual or batch installation of patches can occur (using adpatch) without having to retype default values and answer common questions.

Check whether the defaultsfile exists or not. If not, create it as follows:

$ su – appl[sid]
$ . $APPL_TOP/$APPLFENV
$ ls -l $APPL_TOP/admin/$TWO_TASK/defaultsfile

If no files found then create the defaults file as follows:

$ adadmin defaultsfile=$APPL_TOP/admin/$TWO_TASK/defaultsfile
$ chmod 600 $APPL_TOP/admin/$TWO_TASK/defaultsfile

Use adadmin to enable/disable maintenance mode

Here are the quick ways to enable or disable maintenance mode before applying patches:

$ adadmin defaultsfile=$APPL_TOP/admin/$TWO_TASK/defaultsfile \
          logfile=adadmin.log \
          menu_option=ENABLE_MAINT_MODE
$ adadmin defaultsfile=$APPL_TOP/admin/$TWO_TASK/defaultsfile \
          logfile=adadmin.log \
          menu_option=DISABLE_MAINT_MODE

How to Merge Patches in AD.I.5:

Another great way to save time and effort on patching is by merging patches together.

Most patches can be merged, starting with Oracle E-Business Suite 11i.

--Patch_top directory is $STAGE/patches/CPUAPR2005
--Source Directory is $STAGE/patches/CPUAPR2005/source
--Destination directory is $STAGE/patches/CPUAPR2005/destination
--Manifest file is $STAGE/patches//CPUAPR2005/manifest.lst
--Create manifest.lst file as follows
$ cd $STAGE/patches//CPUAPR2005
$ find `pwd` –name "*.zip" >manifest.lst
--Content of manifest.lst is
$STAGE/patches/CPUAPR2005/p3748678_11i_GENERIC.zip
$STAGE/patches/CPUAPR2005/p4092104_11i_GENERIC.zip
$STAGE/patches/CPUAPR2005/p4252614_11i_GENERIC.zip
$STAGE/patches/CPUAPR2005/p3803148_11i_GENERIC.zip
--merge patch
$ cd $STAGE/patches//CPUAPR2005
$ admrgpch -s `pwd`/source \
  -d `pwd`/cpuapr2005merged \
  -merge_name cpuapr2005merged \
  -manifest `pwd`/manifest.lst

Downloading Patches from Oracle

Patches can be downloaded from the Oracle FTP site. A valid metalink account is required.

$ ftp updates.oracle.com
--Please enter your metalink username and password at the prompt.
ftp>bin
ftp>prompt
ftp>cd <patch/bug number you are attempting to download>
ftp>ls –l
--decide the file you want to download from list.(use wildcard if you like)
ftp>mget <file name>
--After successfully downloading the patch go to next one.
ftp>cd <another patch/bug number you are attempting to download>
--please do this until all patches are downloaded and then exit.
ftp>bye

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