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Oracle® Database Client Installation Guide
11g Release 2 (11.2) for Linux

Part Number E16765-08
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1 Overview of Oracle Database Client Installation

This chapter describes the different installation types of Oracle Database Client and issues to consider before you install Oracle Database Client:

1.1 Planning Your Installation

The Oracle Database installation process consists of the following phases:

  1. Read the release notes: Read Oracle Database Release Notes for Linux before you begin the installation. The release notes are available with the platform-specific documentation. The latest version of the release notes is available on Oracle Technology Network at:

    http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/indexes/documentation/index.html
    
  2. Review the licensing information: Although the installation media in your media pack contain many Oracle components, you are permitted to use only those components for which you have purchased licenses.

    Oracle Support Services does not provide support for components for which licenses have not been purchased.

  3. Plan the installation: This chapter describes the Oracle products that you can install and issues that you must consider before starting the installation.

    You can also refer to Appendix D, which covers frequently asked questions about installing Oracle Database components, such as how to install Oracle Database Client if the site uses Oracle applications or if you need multiple Oracle Database Client connections.

  4. Complete preinstallation tasks: Chapter 2 describes preinstallation tasks that you must complete before installing the product.

  5. Install the software: Use the following sections to install Oracle Database:

    • Chapter 3 describes how to use Oracle Universal Installer to install Oracle Database Client.

    • Appendix B describes globalization support information.

    • Appendix A provides information on performing silent installations, which you may want to use if you must perform multiple installations of Oracle Database Client.

    • Appendix C provides troubleshooting advice in case you encounter problems with the installation.

  6. Complete postinstallation tasks: Chapter 4 describes recommended and required postinstallation tasks.

1.2 Installation Considerations

This section contains information that you should consider before deciding how to install this product. It contains the following sections:

1.2.1 Hardware and Software Certification

The platform-specific hardware and software requirements included in this guide were current when this guide was published. However, because new platforms and operating system software versions might be certified after this guide is published, review the certification matrix on the My Oracle Support (formerly OracleMetaLink) Web site for the most up-to-date list of certified hardware platforms and operating system versions. The My Oracle Support Web site is available at the following URL:

https://support.oracle.com/

You must register online before using My Oracle Support. After logging in, click More and then select Certifications from the list. On the Certification Information page, the Certification Options list appears. Other options include Product Readmit, Product Availability, and Lifetime Support Policy.

1.2.2 Multiple Oracle Homes Support

Oracle Database supports multiple Oracle homes. You can install this release or earlier releases of the software more than once on the same system, in different Oracle home directories.

1.2.2.1 Installing the Software on a System with an Existing Oracle Installation

You must install this product into a new Oracle home directory. You cannot install products from one release of Oracle Database into an Oracle home directory of a different release. For example, you cannot install release 11.2 software into an existing Oracle9i Oracle home directory.

Oracle Database Client can be installed in the same Oracle Database home if both products are at the same release level. For example, you can install Oracle Database Client 11g Release 2 (11.2) into an existing Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2) home. If you apply a patch set before installing the client, then you must apply the patch set again.

You can install this release more than once on the same system if each installation is installed in a separate Oracle home directory.

1.2.2.2 Updating the Existing Software with the Current Version

Use the In-Place Upgrade feature to upgrade an existing client installation to the latest release by installing the new client software into an existing client home with the same installation type. For example, if release 11.2.0.1 is installed, then use Oracle Universal Installer to upgrade to release 11.2.0.2.

Consider the following before selecting this option:

  • This upgrade is only possible in a client home and not in any other Oracle home that contains non-client installations, such as Database installations.

  • This upgrade does not delete files in the client home that are commonly updated by other users. For example, configuration data files.

  • This upgrade cannot be performed if processes associated with the Oracle Database Client home are running.

This functionality is available starting with Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.2).

1.2.3 About Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel for Linux

The Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel for Linux is available for x86-64 platforms. It is based on a stable 2.6.32 Linux kernel, and also includes optimizations developed in collaboration with Oracle Database, Oracle middleware, and Oracle hardware engineering teams to ensure stability and optimal performance for the most demanding enterprise workloads.

Oracle highly recommends deploying the Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel in your Linux environment, especially if you are running Oracle software. However, using Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel is optional. If you require strict Red Hat Enterprise Linux kernel (RHEL) compatibility, then Oracle Linux also includes a kernel compatible with the RHEL Linux kernel, compiled directly from the RHEL source code.

You can obtain more information about the Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel for Linux at the following URL:

http://www.oracle.com/us/technologies/linux

The Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Linux kernel installs directly on top of Oracle Linux 5 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, starting with Update 5, so you are not required to upgrade to a new major release of the operating system to obtain the benefits and features of this new kernel. You can obtain additional information and download the Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel for Linux at the following URL:

http://public-yum.oracle.com/

The Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel for Linux is the standard kernel used with Oracle products. The build and QA systems for Oracle Database and other Oracle products use the Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel for Linux exclusively. The Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel for Linux is also the kernel used in Oracle Exadata and Oracle Exalogic systems. Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel for Linux is used in all benchmark tests on Linux in which Oracle participates, as well as in the Oracle Validated Configuration program for x86-64.

Refer to "Kernel Requirements" for Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel requirements.

1.2.4 Separate 32-Bit Client Software for 64-Bit Platforms

Refer to "Separate 32-Bit Client Software for 64-Bit Platforms" for more information.

1.3 Oracle Database Client Installation Methods

You can choose different installation methods to install Oracle Database Client, as follows:

1.3.1 Interactive Installation Methods

When you use the interactive method to install Oracle Database Client, Oracle Universal Installer displays a series of screens that enable you to specify all of the required information to install the Oracle Database Client software.

1.3.2 Automated Installation Methods Using Response Files

By creating a response file and specifying this file when you start Oracle Universal Installer, you can automate some or all of the Oracle Database installation. These automated installation methods are useful if you must perform multiple installations on similarly configured systems or if the system where you want to install the software does not have X Window system software installed.

When you use a response file, you can run Oracle Universal Installer in the following modes, depending on whether you specify all of the required information or not:

  • Silent Mode: Oracle Universal Installer runs in silent mode if you use a response file that specifies all required information, and specify the -silent option when starting Oracle Universal Installer. None of the Oracle Universal Installer screens are displayed.

  • Response File Mode: Oracle Universal Installer runs in response file mode if you do not specify all required information in the response file.

For more information about these modes and about how to complete an installation using response files, refer to Appendix A.

1.4 Oracle Database Client Installation Types

You can choose one of the following installation types when installing Oracle Database Client:

1.5 Oracle Database Client and Oracle Database Interoperability

For information about interoperability between Oracle Database Client and Oracle Database releases, see Note 207303.1 on the My Oracle Support Web site at the following URL:

https://support.oracle.com/

1.6 Simplified Patching of Timestamp with Time Zone Data Type

Starting with Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2), the patching process of TIMESTAMP WITH TIMEZONE data type values is simplified.

See Also:

"Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2) New Features in Globalization" and "Clients and Servers Operating with Different Versions of Time Zone Files" in Oracle Database Globalization Support Guide for information about simplified patching process and how certain clients work with server with different time zone files

1.7 Software Updates Option

Use the Software Updates feature to dynamically download and apply the latest updates released by Oracle; such as, interim patch updates, critical patch updates, Oracle Universal Installer updates, and the latest patch set updates. This functionality is available starting with Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.2).

You can choose to download the latest updates by providing My Oracle Support credentials or you can apply previously downloaded updates. You can also download the updates separately using the -downloadUpdates option and later apply them during the installation by providing the location where the updates are present.

See Also:

"Running Oracle Universal Installer" for more information on the -downloadUpdates option, and dynamically applying software updates during the installation