Online Data Patch Apply with multiple Databases on same Oracle Home: OPatch failed with error code 26

Hi all,
Tricky question, right? It’s easier than you think…
Actually, we don’t commonly think on those situations in first place, but it’s pretty common, specialy if considering server consolidation situations.

The trick is to use clause util enableOnlinePatch insted of apply after first database applying.
In this example I’m applying on-off patch 14084247 in online mode. Check:

# First Database:

[oracle@PRODSERVER 14084247]$ opatch apply online -connectString ORA11:sys::
Oracle Interim Patch Installer version 11.2.0.3.4
Copyright (c) 2012, Oracle Corporation.  All rights reserved.


Oracle Home       : /opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1
Central Inventory : /opt/oracle/oraInventory
   from           : /opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1/oraInst.loc
OPatch version    : 11.2.0.3.4
OUI version       : 11.2.0.4.0
Log file location : /opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1/cfgtoollogs/opatch/14084247_Apr_03_2017_14_17_24/apply2017-04-03_14-17-24PM_1.log


The patch should be applied/rolled back in '-all_nodes' mode only.
Converting the RAC mode to '-all_nodes' mode.
Applying interim patch '14084247' to OH '/opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1'
Verifying environment and performing prerequisite checks...
All checks passed.
Backing up files...

Patching component oracle.rdbms, 11.2.0.4.0...
Installing and enabling the online patch 'bug14084247.pch', on database 'ORA11'.


Verifying the update...
Patch 14084247 successfully applied
Log file location: /opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1/cfgtoollogs/opatch/14084247_Apr_03_2017_14_17_24/apply2017-04-03_14-17-24PM_1.log

OPatch succeeded.

All good, right?
Let’s see applying to second database with same command:

Second Database:

[oracle@PRODSERVER 14084247]$ opatch apply online -connectString OTHERORA11:sys::
Oracle Interim Patch Installer version 11.2.0.3.4
Copyright (c) 2012, Oracle Corporation.  All rights reserved.


Oracle Home       : /opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1
Central Inventory : /opt/oracle/oraInventory
   from           : /opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1/oraInst.loc
OPatch version    : 11.2.0.3.4
OUI version       : 11.2.0.4.0
Log file location : /opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1/cfgtoollogs/opatch/14084247_Apr_03_2017_14_17_45/apply2017-04-03_14-17-45PM_1.log


The patch should be applied/rolled back in '-all_nodes' mode only.
Converting the RAC mode to '-all_nodes' mode.
Applying interim patch '14084247' to OH '/opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1'
Verifying environment and performing prerequisite checks...
Log file location: /opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1/cfgtoollogs/opatch/14084247_Apr_03_2017_14_17_45/apply2017-04-03_14-17-45PM_1.log

Recommended actions: Please use 'opatch util applySql' for sql related patches or 'opatch util enableOnlinePatch' for online patches to add sids to already installed patch(es).

OPatch failed with error code 26

Beeep!
So, simply use clause util enableonlinepatch as per below.

Second Database (right way):

[oracle@PRODSERVER 14084247]$ opatch util enableonlinepatch -connectString OTHERORA11:sys:: -id 14084247
Oracle Interim Patch Installer version 11.2.0.3.4
Copyright (c) 2012, Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.

Oracle Home : /opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1
Central Inventory : /opt/oracle/oraInventory
from : /opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1/oraInst.loc
OPatch version : 11.2.0.3.4
OUI version : 11.2.0.4.0
Log file location : /opt/oracle/app/product/11.2.0/db_1/cfgtoollogs/opatch/opatch2017-04-03_14-20-53PM_1.log

Invoking utility "enableonlinepatch"
Installing and enabling the online patch 'bug14084247.pch', on database 'OTHERORA11'.

OPatch succeeded.
[oracle@PRODSERVER 14084247]$

Ok, that’s it for today.

See you next week!