The January 2025 Release Update is out. I assume you’ve started the patching process already. You patch databases every quarter, right?
Patching Oracle Database means downtime (unless you have a RAC database), so it’s important to get it right. I recommend that you spend an hour or two sharpening your skills in our re-vamped hands-on lab:
- It’s completely free
- Runs in just a browser
- Nothing to pay – nothing to install
For Everyone
If you’re a beginner, you can learn how to patch your Oracle Database.
If you’re an experienced patcher, you can learn how to use gold images and some patching internals that further deepen your knowledge on patching.
Lab outline:
- Explore patching tools
- Patch non-CDB and container databases
- Use AutoUpgrade to patch an Oracle Database
- Install Oracle homes
- Perform a rollback
- Selectively enable optimizer fixes
Go to the lab.
Pro Tips
- The best way to find new Release Updates is to use the Download Assistant.
- Always patch out-of-place.
- Use gold images to avoid configuration drift and ease your burden.
- If you use Oracle RAC or Oracle Restart, check my blog post series on Oracle Grid Infrastructure patching.
- Deep dive into patching with our webinar Release and Patching Strategies for Oracle Database 23ai. Get the slides here.
It’s better to fail in our lab than in production!
Databases Are Fun 