It is sometimes a bit of a hassle, to have the latest patch name or number on hand, when you need them. Ok, you may search on My Oracle Support and save it as custom search. But it may happen that the search is inaccurate and the required patch is not found. A much easier way is to use the Oracle Metalink Notes, which have been available for a while. These MOS Notes are updated regularly with the latest patch information. My favorite is definitely the Quick Reference to Patch Numbers for Database PSU, SPU(CPU), Bundle Patches and Patchsets [1454618.1]. But there are more interesting MOS notes.

Which Patch’s are available?

MOS notes about patches, patch sets, PSU, SRU and bundle patches :

• Introduction to Oracle Recommended Patches [756388.1]
  This MOS notes is the main entry to the Oracle recommended patches. It includes further links to Oracle Database, Oracle Enterprise Manager, Oracle Fusion Middleware and other products.
• Oracle Recommended Patches — Oracle Database [756671.1]
  This notes includes the links for the latest recommended patches of Oracle Databases on Unix and Linux since Oracle 10.2.0.3
• Oracle Database, Networking and Grid Agent Patches for Microsoft Platforms [161549.1]
  As the name says, this note contains further links for recommended patches of Oracle Databases on Microsoft Windows
• Quick Reference to Patch Numbers for Database PSU, SPU(CPU), Bundle Patches and Patchsets [1454618.1]
  This MOS note is some kind of a master note for any PSU, CPU, Bundle Patches and Patchset. Here you’ll find any patch number without struggling yourself first through all the Oracle recommendations 🙂
• Release Schedule of Current Database Releases [742060.1]
  On this MOS Note you do not really find any patch numbers or names but you’ll find the release schedules of upcoming patch set. Ok you do not see an exact date. But at least the quarter of the year.

Which Patch has been installed?

The easies way to list the installed patches in the current ORACLE_HOME is to use the patch utility.

List of installed patches:

$ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/opatch lsinventory

Grep on the patch description:

$ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/opatch lsinventory|grep "Patch description"
Patch description:  "Database Patch Set Update : 11.2.0.3.7 (16619892)"

A more verbose list on the installed patches:

$ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/opatch lsinventory -details

Which Patch has been applied?

The table REGISTRY$HISTORY does contain information on applied patches respectively PSU, SRU or CPU. SinceSince I use this query regularly during the tests of the Critical Patch Update, I have it packed in a handy script ( cpui.sql).

set linesize 200 pagesize 200
col action_time for a28
col version for a10
col comments for a35
col action for a25
col namespace for a12
select * from registry$history;