Oracle Patches - PSUs/CPUs/Caveats question/confusion

From: Taylor, Chris David <ChrisDavid.Taylor_at_ingrambarge.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:14:15 -0500
Message-ID: <C5533BD628A9524496D63801704AE56D6A31218AA5_at_SPOBMEXC14.adprod.directory>

We're working on our patching strategy and I realize now that I'm a bit confused, or perhaps I'm now confused vs. not being confused before.

Here's the note that has caused me some confusion:

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Note 1323616.1
1.4 Oracle Database Critical Patch Updates and Patch Set Updates The Database Patch Set Updates and Critical Patch Updates that are released each quarter contain the same security fixes. However, they use different patching mechanisms, and Patch Set Updates include both security and recommended bug fixes. Consider the following guidelines when you are deciding to apply Patch Set Updates instead of Critical Patch Updates.

    Critical Patch Updates are applied only on the base release version, for example 10.2.0.4.0.

    Patch Set Updates can be applied on the base release version or on any earlier Patch Set Update. For example, 11.1.0.7.2 can be applied on 11.1.0.7.1 and 11.1.0.7.0.

    Once a Patch Set Update has been applied, the recommended way to get future security content is to apply subsequent Patch Set Updates. Reverting from an applied Patch Set Update back to the Critical Patch Update, while technically possible, requires significant time and effort, and is not advised.

For more information on Patch Set Updates, see Note 854428.1, Patch Set Updates for Oracle Products.

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Here's what I have:

Oracle 10g 10.2.0.1 base with the following patches: Oracle Database 10g Release 2 Patch Set 3 (10.2.0.4)

I have the following Patch installed on top of that: Patch 8708078: ORACLE 10G 10.2.0.4 PATCH 24 BUG FOR WINDOWS (X64) AMD PLATFORM

Questions:

1. patch 8708078 is a CPU not a PSU, correct?  Or is it something else?
2. The 10.2.0.4 Patch Set (Patch Set 3) is a base release version though, is that correct?  So - we can apply CPUs to 10.2.0.4 which is itself a PSU?  (See my confusion?)
3. If patch set updates (PSUs) are release each quarter also, why are there not as many PSUs as there are CPUs?  (Unless question #1 above is not a CPU)

I think I'm still "missing something" here.

Thanks,
Chris

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http://www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l Received on Wed Jul 20 2011 - 08:14:15 CDT