Oracle Smart Flash Cache patching requirements

When using a PCI Express flash card in your server to enable the Oracle database to make use of the Oracle Smart Flash Cache options there are a number of things to consider. First of all, this only works when you are using Oracle Linux or Oracle Solaris as an operating system. This is commonly known, however, less commonly known is that you will have to ensure that your database is on a certain version.

Popular believe is that Oracle Database Smart Flash Cache is available and working with all Oracle database versions in an out of the box manner. However, when using Oracle database 11.2.0.1.2 or less you will have to apply database patch 8974084. To be able to apply patch 8974084 you will have at least have to applied 9654983.

When you are trying to get Oracle Database Smart Flash Cache up and running on an Oracle Database 11.2.0.1.2 or an earlier version you have to apply those patches before you start configuring this option. If the patches are not applied it will not work.