Oracle just released new Release Updates, so it’s time to patch your Oracle Database again. As much as I love patching, the part about finding and downloading patches is not that much fun.

Luckily, I can use AutoUpgrade to download the Release Update and other patches with just a few commands.

How to Download Release Updates

I can do the following on any computer. I just need Java 8 or 11 to run AutoUpgrade.

I download the latest version of AutoUpgrade:

wget https://download.oracle.com/otn-pub/otn_software/autoupgrade.jar

I create an AutoUpgrade config file called get-patches:

global.global_log_dir=/home/oracle/autoupgrade/logs
global.keystore=/home/oracle/autoupgrade/keystore
global.folder=/home/oracle/autoupgrade/patches

patch1.platform=LINUX.X64
patch1.patch=RU:19.27,OPATCH,OJVM

I want to download 19.27 Release Update and supporting patches for Linux and I specify that using the platform parameter.

I’ve already used AutoUpgrade to download patches, so my My Oracle Support credentials are already stored in the AutoUpgrade keystore. If you’ve never used AutoUpgrade to download patches, follow the instructions below (see Creating an AutoUpgrade Keystore).

I download the patches by starting AutoUpgrade in download mode:

java -jar autoupgrade.jar -config get-patches -patch -mode download

That’s it! I’ve download all the new Release Updates – plus OPatch and the matching OJVM bundle patch.
- DATABASE RELEASE UPDATE 19.27.0.0.0 – p37642901_190000_Linux-x86-64.zip
- OJVM RELEASE UPDATE 19.27.0.0.0 – p37499406_190000_Linux-x86-64.zip
- OPatch 12.2.0.1.46 for DB 19.0.0.0.0 (Apr 2025) – p6880880_190000_Linux-x86-64.zip

Is it really that easy? Yes, it is…

Happy patching!

What About the Other Platforms

At the time of writing, Oracle has only released the Linux patches. Once the other platforms are available, you can easily download them as well. Check the Patch Availability Document for details. Add the following to your config file:

patch2.platform=ARM.x64
patch2.patch=RU:19.27,OPATCH,OJVM

patch3.platform=AIX.x64
patch3.patch=RU:19.27,OPATCH,OJVM

patch4.platform=SPARC.x64
patch4.patch=RU:19.27,OPATCH,OJVM

patch5.platform=SOLARIS.x64
patch5.patch=RU:19.27,OPATCH,OJVM

patch6.platform=WINDOWS.X64
patch6.patch=RU:19.27,OPATCH,OJVM

Creating an AutoUpgrade Keystore

The first time I use AutoUpgrade to download patches, I must store my MOS credentials in the AutoUpgrade keystore.

I create my config file. It must include global.keystore to specify the location of the AutoUpgrade keystore.

I start the password console:

java -jar autoupgrade.jar -config get-patches -patch -load_password

AutoUpgrade prompts for a password to protect its keystore. AutoUpgrade uses the password to encrypt the keystore, which stores my My Oracle Support credentials.
- This is not the database keystore password that you use for TDE Tablespace Encryption.
```
Processing config file ...

Starting AutoUpgrade Patching Password Loader - Type help for available options
Creating new AutoUpgrade Patching keystore - Password required
Enter password:
Enter password again:
```

I specify my MOS username. AutoUpgrade then prompts me for the MOS password:

MOS> add -user <mos-username-or-email>
Enter your secret/Password:
Re-enter your secret/Password:

I save the changes, and I choose to create an auto-login keystore so I don’t have to enter the AutoUpgrade keystore password every time AutoUpgrade starts:
```
MOS> save
Convert the AutoUpgrade Patching keystore to auto-login [YES|NO] ? YES
```

I exit, and that’s it:

MOS> exit

AutoUpgrade Patching Password Loader finished - Exiting AutoUpgrade Patching

Here’s a video explaining the use of the AutoUpgrade keystore:

Pro Tips

After downloading the patches, I still need to patch my databases. I can do that using AutoUpgrade as well.
Once MRPs (888.1) or critical fixes (555.1) become available for the Release Update, I can get those as well. Or, if I need specific one-off patches:
```
patch1.patch=RU:19.27,OPATCH,OJVM,MRP,12345678,23456789,34567890
```
If the Data Pump bundle patch is also available, I can also get that:
```
patch1.patch=RU:19.27,OPATCH,OJVM,DPBP,MRP,12345678,23456789,34567890
```
- Notice the DPBP keyword, that toggles the download of the Data Pump bundle patch.

What About Grid Infrastructure

Although AutoUpgrade can’t patch Grid Infrastructure, it can still get the GI bundle patch:
```
patch1.patch=RU:19.27,OCW
```

Be sure to patch Grid Infrastructure out-of-place and I’d recommend using the SwitchGridHome method.

Tag: MOS

The Easiest Way to Download 19.27 Release Update