Oracle Upgrade Support Entitlement - "A Real Life Case" for EBS customers upgrading databases from 11g to 19C

 Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well. Today, I want to share a summary of a recent discussion on my forum about upgrading from version 11.2.0.4 to 19C specifically in the context of an EBS R12.1.3 system. Here we will see the upgrade support entitlement in action.

Well, let's dive into the case;

the upgrade path in mind was to migrate 11.2.0.4 database from Linux 5.4 server to Oracle Linux 8 server and upgrade it to 19C on Oracle Linux 8 server.

So there was a requirement for EBS 11.2.0.4 database running on Oracle Linux 8 and that's created questions about the certification.

Certification tab on Oracle Support said ; 11.2.0.4 is certified with Oracle Linux 8 and EBS 12.1.3 was certified with 11.2.0.4. 

However; when we checked Oracle EBS 12.1.3 and Oracle Database 11.2.0.4 certification together as a bundle, the certification tab on Oracle Support didn't directly told anything about Oracle Linux 8 certification.

With this incomplete(or confusing) information, one might directly think the following;

Linux 8 is certified with Oracle Database 11.2.0.4 .
Linux 8 is certified with Oracle EBS 12.1.3.

This makes -> Linux 8 is certified with Oracle EBS 12.1.3 (with 11.2.0.4 database). 

So, a config like EBS 12.1.3 and Oracle Database 11.2.0.4 should run properly on Oracle Linux 8 that s for sure. 

But! when we checked the certification matrix for Oracle Applications (aka EBS) R12.1.3 and Oracle 11.2.0.4 database combination, we didn't see Oracle/RH Linux 8 listed, so maybe Oracle Linux 8 was not certified with Oracle Database 11.2.0.4 in EBS 12.1.3 context.

MOS note named Oracle E-Business Suite Installation and Upgrade Notes Release 12 (12.1.1) for Linux x86-64 (Doc ID 761566.1) was a reference. 

But that was also creating confusions there, cause there was nothing about such a restriction.

additional ref: https://blogs.oracle.com/ebstech/post/ebs-1213-migration-to-oracle-linux-8-and-red-hat-enterprise-linux-8-now-certified

Another ref: Requirements for Installing Oracle Database/Client 11.2.0.4 on OL8 or RHEL8 64-bit (x86-64) (Doc ID 2988626.1)

The only thing we see there was -> "Customers installing E-Business Suite 12.1.1 on the above operating systems using Rapid Install must upgrade the Oracle Database to 11gR2 (11.2.0.3 or higher for OL/RHEL 6, 11.2.0.4 for OL/RHEL 7 and SLES 12), 12c (12.1.0.1 or higher for OL/RHEL 6, 12.1.0.2 for OL/RHEL 7 and SLES 12) or 19c (for Oracle Linux/RHEL 7 and 8 and SLES 12) ...."

But this might be misleading and may not be an up-to-date information. Cause those products each, their own was certified with Oracle Linux.

Anyways;

Here is important information;

EBS 12.1.3 and Oracle Database 11.2.0.4 is a certified configuration (at least for using it some time before upgrading to 19C)

But! in order to make this work , you need to have Upgrade Support Entitlement. That 's the rule.. And, one of the justification for this is to be able to download patches that make this configuration work. 

An example is in relinking.. In order to fix the relink errors, you need a patch to fix the issue.

--> (Requirements for Installing Oracle Database/Client 11.2.0.4 on OL8 or RHEL8 64-bit (x86-64) (Doc ID 2988626.1), 

but ! you can download the patch only if we have “Upgrade support entitlement”.

Interesting fact.

This is the important thing and the main purpose of this blog post. So I hope, I cleared the doubts here. This is with the the help of my oracle forum, this is the benefit of it.. Of course, big thanks to my followers.

One last important note; Oracle Grid Infrastructure 11.2.0.4 is not supported on Oracle Linux 8. To install Oracle Oracle RAC 11g Release 2 11.2.0.4 on Oracle Linux 8, first install Oracle Grid Infrastructure 19c and then install Oracle RAC 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.4).

Erman Arslan's Oracle Forum / Until 2025 May - "Oracle Q & A Series"

Empower yourself with knowledge! 

Erman Arslan's Oracle Blog offers a vibrant forum where you can tap into a wealth of experience. Get expert guidance and connect with a supportive community. Click the banner proclaiming "Erman Arslan's Oracle Forum is available now!" Dive into the conversation and ask your burning questions.

-- or just use the direct link: http://erman-arslan-s-oracle-forum.124.s1.nabble.comA testament to its vibrancy: over 2,000 questions have been posed, sparking nearly 10,000 insightful comments. Explore the latest discussions and see what valuable knowledge awaits!

Oracle EBS, Cloud, Exadata, ODA, KVM, Oracle Database, OS and all that.

Supporting the Oracle users around the world. Let's check what we have in 2025.

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ADOP Prepare Phase Fails with FATAL ERROR by Rabia

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Prepare phase failing - ICM Issue by VinodN

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OHS -- Unable to initialize SSL environment, nzos call nzosSetCredential returned 28791 OHS:2171 NZ Library Error: Unknown error

Today, I'm going to share a rather annoying OHS error and its solution. Sometimes these kinds of errors can really make you spend lots of time diagnosing, right? Luckily, we've figured out the fix and wanted to share it with you. Maybe it'll save someone some time.

If you've encountered the following error in your OHS log file when trying to start OHS, you're not alone!

Error:
Unable to initialize SSL environment, nzos call nzosSetCredential returned 28791 OHS:2171 NZ Library Error: Unknown error

I will assume that you already created your wallet and imported your certificate(s).

I mean you already properly executed the sequence of commands I have given example below , but still getting OHS:2171 NZ Library Error: Unknown Error..

orapki wallet create -wallet . -auto_login_only
orapki wallet add -wallet . -dn 'CN=BLABLA,OU=FOR TESTING ONLY,O=FOR TESTING ONLY' -keysize 2048 -self_signed -validity 3650 -auto_login_only-

-Ref: Doc ID 2729766.1 12c: How to Recreate the Default Wallet that has Expired from Oracle HTTP Server

Actually, this issue is generic and can be encountered in lots of cases where you couldn't place certificates in the right wallet, or where you didn't correctly specified your wallet location in ssl.conf but !I already assumed that you did everything right in this context, and still encountering the issue.

So, in that case, you should check your admin.conf. There may be a misalignment between the server name written in the admin.conf and the server name (DN - CN) you used while executing "orapki wallet add" command..

For instance, if you have a real server name (rather than localhost) written in admin.conf you should use the same server name while importing your certificate into your wallet using "orapki wallet add" command. That is, if you have the real server name in the admin.conf,  and if you use localhost rather than that server name in orapki wallet add command, you may end up with this. You may still import your certificate but your OHS won't start and it will fail and report "nzosSetCredential returned 28791 OHS:2171 NZ Library Error: Unknown error."

The best practice (and the solution) is to have the real server name in the admin conf (as the ServerName value) and use that server name in the orapki add -wallet -dn command (example command: orapki wallet add -wallet . -dn 'CN=exampleservername,OU=FOR TESTING ONLY,O=FOR TESTING ONLY' -keysize 2048 -self_signed -validity 3650 -auto_login_only)

Why KVM? (Oracle KVM vs. Other Virtualization Solutions)

Why KVM? 

Ever wondered how Oracle KVM stacks up against the big players like VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V? Well, we explained it in our tech event last week, and here I'm sharing some of the things we have gone through in this context. 

We will go through the following table for comparing Oracle KVM , ESXi and Hyper-V.

This table looks at the issue from some of the most important / key dimensions.

Well, Let's dive in!

• Open Source: KVM shines here. It's a big YES for open source, unlike VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V. For us open-source enthusiasts, this is a major plus!

• Licensing Cost: Now, this is where things get interesting. KVM is generally "Low" on the cost scale, which is fantastic. VMware ESXi? Well, the table says "High," and from what I've seen, that rings true. Microsoft Hyper-V lands in the "Medium" zone. Cost can be a big factor, especially for smaller setups or those just starting out.

See this blog post as well -> https://ermanarslan.blogspot.com/2025/04/oracle-linux-kvm-steps-up.html

• Performance: When it comes to power, both Oracle KVM and VMware ESXi are tagged as "High." That's good news for those demanding top-notch performance. Microsoft Hyper-V is listed as "Medium." Performance can vary depending on your specific workloads, but it's good to see KVM holding its own.

• Management Tool: Here's where the ecosystems differ. KVM mostly rely on OLVM. VMware leans on vCenter, which is a robust but often pricey solution. Microsoft has SCVMM. The choice of management tool can really impact your day-to-day operations.

• Security: Security is paramount, right? KVM brings SeLinux & sVirt to the table, leveraging Linux's security features. VMware uses NSX, focusing on network security. Microsoft offers Shielded VMs. Each has its own approach to keeping your virtual machines safe and sound.

• Flexibility: This is where KVM's open-source nature really shines again. It's "Integrated with Linux," which gives it a lot of flexibility. VMware is described as a "Closed ecosystem," which can sometimes limit your options. Microsoft Hyper-V is "Windows-focused," so its strengths lie heavily within the Windows environment.

 In addition, if you are running Oracle database, KVM is clearly ahead in my opinion. In many aspects (support, cost, compatibility etc.)

Takeaway:

Looking at the table above, it’s clear that Oracle KVM is a strong contender, especially if you’re looking to keep costs low. The “High” performance rating is also a big plus. However, still the best choice really depends on your specific needs, existing infrastructure, and comfort level with different ecosystems.

What are your thoughts on this comparison? Have you had experience with any of these hypervisors? Let me know in the comments below!

Oracle Linux KVM Steps Up

These days, we are in the virtualization world shaking up with the effects of Broadcom on VMware. Especially the recently announced minimum 72 core licensing requirement has become a nightmare for many VMware customers (small and mid-sized). This new policy, which will deeply shake the budgets of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has inevitably increased the interest in alternative virtualization solutions. At this point, Oracle's powerful and cost-effective virtualization platform Oracle Linux KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) stands out as a savior.

Yes, it must be admitted that the most well-known advantage of Oracle Linux KVM is its cost effectiveness. With VMware's new licensing model, having to pay the license fee for cores you don't use is not a sustainable situation for many companies. Oracle Linux KVM, on the other hand, offers zero license cost and completely solves these concerns. The support that comes with the Oracle Linux Premier Support subscription is a bonus.

However, what Oracle Linux KVM offers is not just about cost. Let's take a closer look at the other attractive features of this powerful virtualization solution:

High Performance: Thanks to its integrated structure into the Linux kernel, KVM offers performance close to hardware. This advantage becomes even more evident especially in today's high-core servers.

Scalability: KVM allows both vertical and horizontal scaling. You can easily add resources for your increasing workloads or run your virtual machines on different hardware.

Advanced Features: Critical enterprise features such as Live Migration, Snapshot, Cloning etc..

Hardware Support: Thanks to Linux's wide hardware compatibility, KVM also supports a wide range of server hardware.

Security: Linux's security-focused structure also creates a strong foundation for virtual machines running on KVM.

Oracle Integration: Especially for Oracle applications and databases, Oracle Linux KVM offers unique advantages. Thanks to the Hard Partitioning feature, you can fix virtual machines to specific physical cores and license them only for the cores used. This means a serious cost advantage, especially for Oracle.

Compatibility with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle Linux KVM is the virtualization technology underlying OCI. In this way, you can easily move virtual machines in your on-premise environments to OCI or create hybrid cloud scenarios.

Uninterrupted Patching with Ksplice: Thanks to Oracle's unique Ksplice technology, you can apply kernel and user space security updates without having to reboot your virtual machines. This is a critical advantage in terms of business continuity.

Oracle Linux Virtualization Manager (OLVM): It is a user-friendly web-based management interface that allows you to easily manage your KVM environment. You can perform many operations such as creating, monitoring, and managing virtual machines via OLVM.

This new licensing policy of VMware actually pushes its customers to look for different and more flexible solutions. Beyond the cost advantage it offers, Oracle Linux KVM is a serious alternative to VMware with its performance, scalability and enterprise features. Especially if you are in the Oracle ecosystem, there is no reason not to consider Oracle Linux KVM.

Remember, technology is constantly evolving and changing. Today's "standards" may be tomorrow's "old" ones. Now is the time to reconsider your virtualization strategy and find the solution that best suits your needs. Give Oracle Linux KVM a try, you will not regret it.

See you in my next article, stay with technology!