Upgrade critical system from 10.1.2.2.0 to 10.1.2.3

Question

Hello guys,
I have some problems regarding Portal performace, Oracle support advised me to upgrade our application server from 10.1.2.2.0 to 10.1.2.3 by applying a patchset.
environment:
Solaris SPARC 64
Infra is installed
installation type is BI
the system is very very very critical and cannot be down for more than 8 hours/ month (enough only for backup and patchset installation).
my question: is there any risk by installaing this patchset to our system (compatability issues maybe) ?
if you need any information please tell me
Regards.

Answer 1

You need a redundant instance to give you the 'critical system availability' feature. This should not be merely test system which you can have to try and test applications without affecting the main instance. But because you need a moderately available system - if you do not wish to hit unavailability for more than 8 hrs.
Secondly, yes, you need a Test system which can be made by using a clone. Apply patch set 3 to upgrade your OAS to 10.1.2.3.
Patch Set 3 will somewhat help your system in many ways - specially in performance, and webcache error fixing, and some other problems. Oracle now tends to push you to first come to the latest software version for your product, and then the support helps more. But that's right, PSet 3 helps.
Patch Set 3 includes an implicit infra DB upgrade (as default DB version in rel 2 was 10.1.0.4 and PSet 3 needs at least 10.1.0.5+.
Patch Set 3 upgrades your software for infra, midtier and metadata repository, and then upgrade metadata repository. So about 4 major steps! I have also addressed it several times before in these forums. Search in this forum and in the portal forum for patch set 3 and you should get detailed help.
After PSet 3, you will need a few other short patches to install. But they should be smooth to implement. check metalink for it.
thanks!
AMN