Step By Step Patching an Exadata cell node

Patching an Exadata cell node involves several steps, including preparing the environment, applying the patch, and verifying the results. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide to apply a patch on an Exadata cell node using commands. This guide assumes you have already downloaded the patch and have it accessible on the Exadata cell node.

### Prerequisites

1. **Read the Documentation**: Carefully read the patch documentation provided by Oracle.

2. **Backup Configurations**: Ensure you have a backup of the current configurations.

3. **Plan Downtime**: Schedule downtime as patching the cell node will affect the entire Exadata system.

4. **Download the Patch**: Download the patch to a location accessible from the cell node.

### Step 1: Prepare the Environment

1. **Verify Cell Node Status**: Ensure that the cell node is in a healthy state before starting the patch process.

```bash

dcli -g cell_group -l root cellcli -e list cell detail

```

2. **Check Cell Services**: Make sure all cell services are running.

```bash

cellcli -e list alerthistory

```

### Step 2: Transfer the Patch to the Cell Node

1. **Use SCP to Transfer the Patch**:

- Transfer the patch file to the cell node using SCP.

```bash

scp patch-file.zip root@<cell-node-IP>:/root/

```

### Step 3: Connect to the Cell Node

1. **SSH to the Cell Node**:

- Use SSH to connect to the cell node.

```bash

ssh root@<cell-node-IP>

```

### Step 4: Prepare for Patching

1. **Stop Cell Services**:

```bash

cellcli -e alter cell shutdown services all

```

2. **Check Running Processes**:

```bash

ps -ef | grep -i cell

```

3. **Backup Cell Configuration**:

```bash

cellcli -e list cell detail > /root/cell_config_backup.txt

```

### Step 5: Extract the Patch

1. **Unzip the Patch File**:

```bash

unzip patch-file.zip -d /root/patch

```

### Step 6: Apply the Patch

1. **Navigate to the Patch Directory**:

```bash

cd /root/patch

```

2. **Run the Patch Script**:

- Execute the patch script provided in the patch files.

```bash

./patchmgr -cells cell-group-file -patch /root/patch -apply

```

Replace `cell-group-file` with the appropriate group file listing the cell nodes to be patched.

### Step 7: Monitor the Patching Process

1. **Monitor the Patch Application**:

- Follow the on-screen instructions and monitor the patching process. Ensure there are no errors during the patch application.

### Step 8: Verify the Patch Installation

1. **Check the Patch Status**:

```bash

cellcli -e list cell detail

```

2. **Verify Cell Services**:

- Make sure all cell services are running after the patch.

```bash

cellcli -e list cell detail

```

### Step 9: Post-Patch Steps

1. **Reboot the Cell Node if Required**:

- If the patch requires a reboot, follow the instructions to reboot the cell node.

```bash

reboot

```

2. **Verify Connectivity**:

- After the cell node is back online, verify the connectivity and ensure all services are running properly.

### Step 10: Final Verification

1. **Test the Exadata Environment**:

- Ensure that the Exadata environment is functioning correctly after the patch.

- Run any specific tests recommended by Oracle to verify the stability and performance of the system.

### Step 11: Documentation and Clean Up

1. **Document the Patching Process**:

- Document all the steps performed, including any issues encountered and their resolutions.

2. **Clean Up**:

- Remove any temporary files or backups created during the patching process.

```bash

rm -rf /root/patch

```

### Conclusion

Patching an Exadata cell node is a critical task that requires careful planning and execution. Following these step-by-step commands will help ensure a smooth patching process. Always refer to the official Oracle documentation and patch-specific readme files for detailed instructions tailored to your specific patch version. If you encounter any issues, consult with Oracle support for assistance.