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Database and Web server patching schedule

The ECN Oracle database server ECN, as well as the ECN web servers (Apache and Zope), require periodic maintenance to maintain system security. Maintenance may include Red Hat Enterprise Linux kernel or application software patches, separately or combined with Oracle database security or feature update patches.

When system or security patches are required, the patches may be applied to the live system, or they may require service disruption.

This document will describe the process ECN will take when applying patches.

Daily patching

For most of the packages installed on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, a feature or security patch will be installed on a daily basis. This usually will be handled without any disruption to service.

Kernel patching

During instances of a Red Hat Enterprise Linux kernel patch, the system will need a restart. When a kernel patch occurs, the ECN staff will schedule a restart of the Oracle database and the Apache/Zope web servers. A notice will be sent to the ECN staff, announced in the system Message of the Day (/etc/motd), and a message will be sent to several Mailman lists (app_oracle-list, sys_webmail-list and app_zope-list). The system restart will be performed within a week of notice. If the kernel patch is critical, the patch may be applied within the same day of the notice.

Oracle patching

Oracle database software is patched on a regular basis, usually four times per year, unless a critical patch is released. When a patch is available, the ECN staff will schedule a restart of the Oracle database server. A notice will be sent to the ECN staff, announced in the system Message of the Day (/etc/motd), and a message will be sent to several Mailman lists (app_oracle-list and app_zope-list). The system restart will be performed within a week of notice. If the Oracle patch is critical, the patch may be applied within the same day of notice.

Due to the dependency of Zope on the Oracle database, Zope will not be available during the database patching, although other web services will continue to function.

Last Modified: Dec 19, 2016 11:12 am US/Eastern
Created: Oct 6, 2016 1:47 pm GMT-4 by admin
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