How to Backup and Restore ORACLE_HOME Binaries and Oracle Inventory Before Patching

Backing up your Oracle software environment — including the software binaries (ORACLE_HOME) and inventory metadata (oraInventory) — is a critical safety step before applying any patches to the database or operating system. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process with real-world command outputs to help DBAs prepare for a reliable rollback if needed.

Why It Matters

• ORACLE_HOME contains Oracle executables, configuration files, and libraries.
• oraInventory maintains all Oracle installation details, necessary for patching and upgrades.

⚠️ Without a proper backup, any corruption or failed patch may require a full reinstallation of Oracle software.

Backup Preparation (Optional but Recommended)

🧯 1. Stop the Database (Recommended for Clean Backups)

$ ps -ef | grep pmon
oracle   24531     1  0 10:12 ?        00:00:00 ora_pmon_MYDB
oracle   24578 24490  0 10:13 pts/0    00:00:00 grep pmon

$ sqlplus / as sysdba
SQL> SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE;
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.

🔌 2. Stop the Listener (Optional but Advised)

$ ps -ef | grep tns
oracle   24641     1  0 10:15 ?        00:00:00 /u01/app/oracle/product/19.0.0/dbhome_1/bin/tnslsnr LISTENER
oracle   24678 24490  0 10:16 pts/0    00:00:00 grep tns

$ lsnrctl stop LISTENER

LSNRCTL for Linux: Version 19.0.0.0.0 - Production
Connecting to (DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(HOST=host1)(PORT=1521)))
The command completed successfully

Creating Backups of Oracle Inventory and ORACLE_HOME

📦 3. Back Up Oracle Inventory

First, identify the location:

$ cat /etc/oraInst.loc
inventory_loc=/u01/app/oraInventory
inst_group=dba

Then perform the backup:

$ cd /u01/app/
$ tar -pczvf /u02/oracle/backup/oraInventory_bkup.tar.gz oraInventory

oraInventory/
oraInventory/ContentsXML/
oraInventory/ContentsXML/inventory.xml
... (more files)

📁 Output Example:

$ ls -lh /u02/oracle/backup/
-rw-r--r-- 1 oracle dba 5.2M May 27 11:10 oraInventory_bkup.tar.gz

🏗️ 4. Back Up ORACLE_HOME Directory

Navigate to your Oracle installation path:

$ cd /u01/app/oracle/product
$ ls
19.0.0

Backup using tar with compression and background execution:

$ nohup tar -pczvf /u02/oracle/backup/oracle_home_bkup.tar.gz 19.0.0 &

[1] 27792
nohup: ignoring input and redirecting stderr to stdout

Check the process:

$ jobs -l
[1]+ 27792 Running tar -pczvf /u02/oracle/backup/oracle_home_bkup.tar.gz 19.0.0 &

📁 Verify Output:

$ ls -lh /u02/oracle/backup/
-rw-r--r-- 1 oracle dba 3.2G May 27 11:18 oracle_home_bkup.tar.gz

Restoring Oracle Inventory and ORACLE_HOME

🔒 1. Shut Down the Database (Mandatory)

$ sqlplus / as sysdba
SQL> SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE;
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.

⛔ 2. Stop the Listener (Mandatory)

$ lsnrctl stop LISTENER

Connecting to (DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(HOST=host1)(PORT=1521)))
The command completed successfully

🔁 3. Restore Oracle Inventory

Navigate to the base path:

$ cd /u01/app/
$ mv oraInventory oraInventory_old
$ tar -pxzvf /u02/oracle/backup/oraInventory_bkup.tar.gz

oraInventory/
oraInventory/ContentsXML/
...

🔄 4. Restore ORACLE_HOME

$ cd /u01/app/oracle/product
$ mv 19.0.0 19.0.0_old
$ tar -pxzvf /u02/oracle/backup/oracle_home_bkup.tar.gz

✅ Reset Ownership and Permissions (if needed):

$ chown -R oracle:dba 19.0.0
$ chmod -R 755 19.0.0

Helpful Notes and Final Advice

• Always confirm that the backup file is complete (check size and content).
• Consider backing up your oratab, .bash_profile, and environment variables too.
• Automate this backup with a script during your patch preparation window.

✅ Summary Checklist

Task	Status
Stop DB & Listener (Optional/Recommended)	✅
Backup Oracle Inventory	✅
Backup ORACLE_HOME	✅
Restore steps validated	✅