Leapp is a Linux utility framework for upgrading operating systems. It can help you save time and ease administrative efforts when performing an in-place upgrade of the operating system. Leapp can now be used to upgrade systems running Oracle Database 19c from Oracle Linux 7 to Oracle Linux 8.
Oracle Database 19c is a very popular workload on Oracle Linux, with good reason. Many of these Oracle Database systems are running on Oracle Linux 7, and with the Premier Support lifecycle of Oracle Linux 7 ending on December 31, 2024 administrators are now planning their Oracle Linux 7 to Oracle Linux 8 upgrades.
Traditionally, major Linux operating system upgrades are very intrusive. Here is a typical workflow:
- Prior to attempting any upgrade, a consistent system backup should be performed.
- A new system with the current Linux OS is stood up.
- The application or database system is installed; required data is migrated or made available.
- The new instance is tested for proper operation.
- The new instance is promoted to a production phase.
- The old instance is decommissioned; freed up resources can be recycled.
Using Leapp can automate an Oracle Linux operating system major in-place upgrade, simplifying the onerous tasks of these upgrades—including systems where Oracle Database 19c is running.
Upgrade features
Oracle Linux 7 to Oracle Linux 8 in-place upgrades for Oracle Database 19c are for x86_64 based systems only.
Leapp now covers Oracle Linux 7 systems running Oracle Database 19c in the following configurations:
- Oracle Linux with the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK) or the Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK).
- Single host database systems or Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC).
- On-premises systems as well as Oracle Linux instances on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
Details on the upgradable features for on-premises and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure instances are available in the Leapp documentation.
Leapp operations begin with a preupgrade phase that runs checks on the system to determine if it can be upgraded. The preupgrade tool helps Linux administrators discover and mitigate issues before executing the actual upgrade process. The tool produces a detailed report that includes recommendations for remediating risks for the upgrade process.
The second phase is the actual upgrade itself. The Oracle Linux 7 to Oracle Linux 8 upgrade time is dependent on a number of factors including CPU, memory, network speed, system disk performance, system load, and the number of packages installed on the system. Upgrade time can take a few minutes to a few hours.
For more information
The Leapp documentation is regularly updated as Leapp gains features and fixes, so please check the documentation for any recent updates. Make sure to thoroughly read the documentation prior to attempting any Leapp upgrades. Don’t forget to have a current, consistent, and tested backup of any server prior to attempting to upgrade the operating system using Leapp.
A Leapp tutorial is available on the Oracle Help Center so you can practice using Leapp before attempting any production upgrades.
For additional Oracle Linux resources, visit: