A new patchset for Oracle 11.2 has been released. This patchset is a full installation of the Oracle Database software. So you don’t need to install 11.2.0.1 before installing 11.2.0.3. You can read the complete list of new features of 11.2.0.3 from here:

http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/E11882_01/server.112/e22487/chapter1_11203.htm

I downloaded the patchset and wanted to upgrade my 2-node RAC database. It’s just a test database running on VirtualBox. Latest PSU and GI PSU (12419331 and 12419353) are already applied. Before I upgrade the database, I have also applied patch 12539000. Installer checks if this patch is applied. It seems it’s an important patch because it fixes a bug directly related with upgrade process (Bug 12539000 – 11203:ASM UPGRADE FAILED ON FIRST NODE WITH ORA-03113).

The patchset contains 7 zip files but we need only the first 3 zip files to upgrade our grid and database.

First I’ll upgrade the grid infrastructure, then I’ll update the DB. Before you upgrade your database, I recommend you to read “Master Note For Oracle Database Upgrades and Migrations” MOS ID 1152016.1.

As you know, starting from oracle 11gR2, the Oracle DB and grid upgrades are done via the “out of place upgrade”. So I switch to root user, create a new directory for the Oracle software:

Then I switch back to oracle and unzip the file (it creates folder named “grid”). Then I start the installer by oracle user:

I’ll use graphical interface during the upgrade process.

My RAC has no internet connection so I select “skip software updates” and click next.

I’ll upgrade my grid and ASM.

Select the language you product will run and click next.

You can test SSH connectivity but because it’s an already working grid, just click next.

The installer will probably select the correct groups, check them, select according to your system and click next.

Enter the software location, click next. If you satisfied all prerequisites, the installer should advance to the summary screen.

Click “install” button to continue.

Wait until the installer ask you to run the root scripts…

You have to run the root script on first node and wait until it completed successfully before running it on other nodes. After you run the root scripts on all nodes, click OK to continue.

Wait until installer updated the Oracle inventory and check the report of the cluster verify utility. Let’s check the version of Grid:

Now we’re ready for upgrading the database. I’ll install the new database in “/u02” but Grid controller changed the ownership of this folder, so I’ll create a folder in /u02 by root user and then give its ownership to oracle. I highly recommend you not to do it! Use separate folders for grid and database installations!

Let’s unzip the files and run the installer:

The security comes first, but as I said there’s no internet connection, so I just leave them blank and click next.

I will skip the software updates.

Select upgrade an existing DB, and click next.

Select the RAC DB, make sure all nodes selected and click next.

Select the product language and click next

Select the correct edition for your DB, then click next.

Enter the installation folder, click next.

Select the OS groups, and click next.

Click “install” button to continue.

Execute the root scripts on each node.

Now the installer will run DBUA (database upgrade assistant) to upgrade our database.

Select the database which will be upgraded.

Read the warning, gather data dictionary statistics if you haven’t done yet then click next.

I recommend you to mark the “turn off archiving” option and set the parallel degree according to the total number of processors in the cluster. I wanted to go with archiving to see how much redo will be generated. Upgrade process generated about 1.7G archivelogs for my RAC database. It’s an Enterprise version with default options.

Set the size of flash recovery area and click next.

This is the last step. DBUA will now restart the database and start upgrading. The DB will not be available for general use. Check the summary page and click “finish” when you are ready.

Wait until upgrade process completed.

Upgrading DB is completed, check the report. Now your DB is ready for general use. Do not forget to update your bash profile to use new Oracle Home.

It was a very smooth process. DBUA did its job well as expected.