Oracle Server - Enterprise Edition - Version: 11.2.0.2 and later [Release: 11.2 and later ]
Oracle Server - Standard Edition - Version: 11.2.0.2 and later [Release: 11.2 and later]
Oracle Server - Personal Edition - Version: 11.2.0.2 and later [Release: 11.2 and later]
Information in this document applies to any platform.
Packaging: Starting with the first patch set for Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.2), Oracle Database patch sets are full installations of the Oracle Database software. In past releases, Oracle Database patch sets consisted of a set of files that replaced files in an existing Oracle home. Beginning with Oracle Database 11g Release 2, patch sets are full installations that replace existing installations.
Because Oracle Database 11g Release 2 and later patch sets are a full installation, Oracle patch sets are now released as several installation bundles, just as are the base releases:
Simplified new installation: Because the release 11.2.0.2 patch set is a full installation package, if you are installing Oracle Database on a system without an existing Oracle Database installation, then you can simply install the release 11.2.0.2 patch set. You are no longer required to install the base release, and then apply the patch set.
Upgrade process: Beginning with the release 11.2.0.2 patch set, you have two ways to apply a patch set:
Note: All Oracle Grid Infrastructure patch set upgrades must be out-of-place upgrades, in which you install the patch set into a new Grid home. In-place patch set upgrades are not supported.
Direct upgrade from previous releases: You can upgrade from a previous Oracle Database release directly to the latest patch set, without having to install the base release. For example, if you want to upgrade from Oracle Database 10g Release 2, or Oracle Database 11g Release 1, then you can upgrade directly to Oracle Database 11g Release 2, patch set 2 (11.2.0.2) using an out-of-place upgrade. Oracle now supports direct upgrades to the release 11.2.0.2 patch set from any release where direct upgrade to the base release (11.2.0.1) is supported, as well as direct upgrades from 11.2.0.1 to 11.2.0.2.
New Features Available in Patch Sets
In addition to the usual set of fixes, the release 11.2.0.2 patch set contains a small number of features that complete the Database 11g Release 2 feature set. The new features fall into the following five categories:
For information about all new features, refer to Oracle Database New Features Guide for Oracle Database 11g Release 2.
As with all previous patch sets, the release 11.2.0.2 patch set is available for download from the Patches tab on My Oracle Support.
Q. Is this really a patch set
A. Yes – This patch set still consists primarily of incremental bug fixes to the base release (11.2.0.1) but with different packaging. While new features are included in 11.2.0.2, the number of new features is very small, and is included to complete the 11.2 feature set.
Q. Why did Oracle make this change
A. In response to customer feedback, Oracle is making this change for several reasons:
Q. Is this new packaging unique to the 11.2.0.2 patch set, or will Oracle follow this model for future patch sets
A. This will be the new model going forward. Oracle will release patch set release 11.2.0.3 and later patch sets as full installation packages. Direct out-of-place upgrade is the Oracle best practices recommendation for patch set upgrades.
Q. There are many new features in 11.2.0.2. Are patch sets not just for bug fixes
A. Oracle intends to maintain t