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Step By Step Patching an InfiniBand switch in an Oracle Exadata

Patching an InfiniBand switch in an Oracle Exadata environment involves several steps and commands to ensure a smooth and successful process. Below is a step-by-step guide, including commands, for patching an InfiniBand switch in Exadata. Please note that this guide is a general overview, and it's crucial to refer to the specific Oracle documentation and patch readme files for the version you are working with.


### Prerequisites


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

2. **Backup Configurations**: Ensure you have a backup of the current InfiniBand switch configuration.

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


### Step 1: Download the Patch


1. **Access My Oracle Support**: Log in to My Oracle Support.

2. **Search for the Patch**: Search for the required InfiniBand switch patch.

3. **Download the Patch**: Download the patch to your local system.


### Step 2: Transfer the Patch to the InfiniBand Switch


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

- Transfer the patch file to the InfiniBand switch using SCP.


```bash

scp patch-file.zip root@<InfiniBand-Switch-IP>:/root/

```


### Step 3: Connect to the InfiniBand Switch


1. **SSH to the InfiniBand Switch**:

- Use SSH to connect to the InfiniBand switch.


```bash

ssh root@<InfiniBand-Switch-IP>

```


### Step 4: Verify Current Firmware Version


1. **Check Current Firmware Version**:


```bash

version

```


- Note down the current firmware version for reference.


### 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. **Read the README File**:


```bash

cat README

```


- Follow any specific pre-patching steps mentioned in the README file.


3. **Run the Patch Script**:

- Execute the patch script provided in the patch files.


```bash

./apply_patch.sh

```


### 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 Firmware Version Again**:


```bash

version

```


- Verify that the firmware version matches the patched version.


### Step 9: Post-Patch Steps


1. **Reboot the Switch if Required**:

- If the patch requires a reboot, follow the instructions to reboot the InfiniBand switch.


```bash

reboot

```


2. **Verify Connectivity**:

- After the switch is back online, verify the connectivity of the InfiniBand network.


3. **Check for Errors**:

- Check the system logs for any errors or issues post-patching.


```bash

dmesg | grep -i ib

```


### 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 InfiniBand switch in an Exadata environment 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.

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