Prerequisites

Before initiating the upgrade, ensure that:

• The Exadata System Software is updated to at least version 24.1.0.0.0 to upgrade the Database and Grid Infrastructure to 23ai.

  Note:

  The bare minimum recommended software version is 24.1.0.0.0. For the most up-to-date recommended version, refer to My Oracle Support (MOS) Note 888828.1. Additionally, consult the supplemental README for the recommended Exadata software version to find details on the minimum required versions of Oracle Grid Infrastructure and Oracle Database.
• Before upgrading the database, make sure to back up the database system.

Upgrade Process

• Prepare the Targets: Ensure that the required patches are applied.
• Initiate the Upgrade:
  • Use the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Console or API to trigger the upgrade process.
  • Select the collection of targets to be upgraded.
• Monitor the Upgrade:
  • Track the progress and verify that all components are upgraded successfully.
• Post-Upgrade Validation:
  • Perform checks to ensure system stability and verify successful upgrade to 23ai.

Restrictions

• Database upgrades are always non-rolling for the database.
• Exadata Infrastructure Maintenance Conflict: The GI upgrade feature is unavailable if an Exadata Infrastructure maintenance operation is scheduled to start within the next 24 hours.
• Version Restrictions:
  • You cannot upgrade to the same major version that the collection is already using.
  • To upgrade Oracle Database from 19c to 23ai, the Exadata System Software must be running on the minimum recommended version of Oracle Linux, and Oracle Grid Infrastructure must be upgraded to 23ai first.

    Note:

    The bare minimum recommended software version is 24.1.0.0.0. For the most up-to-date recommended version, refer to My Oracle Support (MOS) Note 888828.1. Additionally, consult the supplemental README for the recommended Exadata software version to find details on the minimum required versions of Oracle Grid Infrastructure and Oracle Database.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can upgrade Oracle Database and Grid Infrastructure targets to 23ai—minimizing disruption despite the inherent downtime of database upgrades.

Rollback and remove failed targets of an Apply Upgrade Action

If one or more targets fail during an Apply Upgrade Action, you can recover by performing a Rollback and Remove Action. This action:

• Removes the failed targets from the FsuCollection.
• Reverts the failed targets to their original version before the upgrade cycle began.

This ensures a clean rollback, allowing you to proceed with a stable environment before retrying the upgrade.

However, rollback after a successful upgrade is not automated. To manually downgrade a database to the release from which it was last upgraded, see Downgrading Oracle Database to an Earlier Release.