Oracle Communications distributes the following types of patch releases for Converged Application Server to resolve issues, to resolve any perceived vulnerability in the software, or to improve its overall performance:

• Patch Set. A Patch Set is the most comprehensive patch release. It contains the accumulated resolutions and updates in Converged Application Server from the time of the last general release up to the current Patch Set release. Oracle recommends that you stay up-to-date by installing Patch Sets as soon as they become available.

  Converged Application Server 8.0 Patch Sets use the release numbering scheme 8.0.0.x.0, where x is the Patch Set number. For example, the first Patch Set for Converged Application Server 8.0 would be Converged Application Server 8.0.0.1.0.

• Debug patch. A debug patch is used to troubleshoot an ongoing issue in your Converged Application Server system. A debug patch represents a concerted attempt by you and Oracle Technical Support to fix an issue in your Converged Application Server system. Oracle Technical Support uses debug patches as a tool to extract better data from your Converged Application Server system as a way of resolving the issue. Therefore, the debug patch may not resolve the issue, and more patches may be required.

  Because debug patches address a single issue, Converged Application Server numbers them as v1, v2, v3, and so on. Each subsequent version replaces the prior version of the debug patch.

• Temporary fix. Temporary fixes are tailored to solve an issue in your Converged Application Server system. They are urgent, time-sensitive, or critical corrections that solve an issue you are experiencing. You may have to install more patches to make the temporary fix work.

  Because each temporary fix addresses a single issue, Converged Application Server numbers the fixes as v1, v2, v3, and so on. Each subsequent version replaces the prior version of the temporary fix.

By default, every patch contains the following items:

• A README file

  The README file for a patch release describes how to install the patch. Additionally, in case you encounter problems while applying the patch, the README describes how you can revert to your current setup by rolling back the patch.

• Software updates to Converged Application Server

  These updates consist of fixes or debug changes.

At times, the patch includes a subdirectory named custom, which contains the following items:

• Additional documentation resources

  For example, the patch may contain the description of a specific fix detailing what configuration settings are required to utilize the fix.

• Manual patching steps

  The patch may target a resource you have modified, such as startup scripts.

If your Converged Application Server system operates in a clustered environment, review the README file that accompanies the patch. Ensure that you apply the patch to all of the servers. Then, perform a rolling restart unless otherwise stated in the README file.