Cant be done w/o multiple redundant hardware. If your job security is based on 24 x 7 available w/o redundant hardware, you better be keeping your resume current. If you don't have a staging db, you cannot do 24 x 7. Andrew W. Kerber Oracle DBA UMB "If at first you dont succeed, dont take up skydiving" -----Original Message----- From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dhimant Patel Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 8:23 AM To: oracle-l Subject: Oracle 24x7 shops and Patches-Upgrades. Hi Gurus, This seems very common issue but I am confronted with a requirement where we need to have 24x7 availability, no exceptions. There is no way we can have staging server (for patch testing before deploying on the production.) and we need to accommodate software upgrades without a planned downtime. I'm also wondering how shops having 24x7 availability addresses such issues? Since I'm focused solely on Oracle, I'm not aware if any database server allow patching/upgrading without bringing down the server? Is any mainstream database server offer such solution? Thanks, DP. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any attached files are confidential. The information is exclusively for the use of the individual or entity intended as the recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, copying, printing, reviewing, retention, disclosure, distribution or forwarding of the message or any attached file is not authorized and is strictly prohibited. If you have received this electronic mail message in error, please advise the sender by reply electronic mail immediately and permanently delete the original transmission, any attachments and any copies of this message from your computer system. Thank you. ==============================================================================