Oracle Databases Need to be Patched to a Minimum Patchset/PSU/RU level before April 2019 (DOC ID 2361478.1)

In this Document

APPLIES TO:

DESCRIPTION

What we are announcing

All supported releases of Oracle Databases need to be patched to a minimum patchset/PSU level before April 2019 to ensure proper functioning of database links.

This note only applies to Database Server installations and the interoperability of database clients with database servers is not impacted by this patch.

What action you need to take 

For all database releases prior to 12.2.0.1, ensure that all interconnected databases are in the below mentioned patchset/ PSU/BP levels or above:

In summary, 12.2.0.1 and higher releases, 11.2.0.4 and 12.1.0.2 patchsets have this fix included, while patches are available for 11.1.0.7 and 11.2.0.3 releases. If you have any other database server installations (e.g. 10.2.0.5, 11.2.0.2), you should upgrade such databases if you would like the older databases to continue using database links with newer versions of databases.  

What is the change introduced by the patches listed above?

The patches listed above make the older databases capable of supporting increased SCN soft limit (i.e. support transactions with higher SCN rate) though the increased SCN soft limit only becomes effective at a later time (after April 2019).

Timelines

 All databases should be at the above mentioned release/patchset/ PSU/BP levels (or above) before April 2019.

Support and Questions

If you have any queries please post them in the Database community page: https://community.oracle.com/message/14710245#14710245

OCCURRENCE

 Applicable to all Oracle database releases prior to 12.2.0.1

SYMPTOMS

Database Links might fail or encounter errors

WORKAROUND

 None

PATCHES

 Please refer the table Minimum Required PSU/RU above.

HISTORY

Added details regarding the change: 9-Mar-2018

Corrected the hyperlinks and information related to 11.2.0.3.29 (windows) : 7-Mar-2018 

Created: 15-Feb-2018