Upgrading Obiee Apps From 7.9.2 to 7.9.6.1 - Problems and Path to Implement

Upgrading the platform (on reporting side atleast, not toare available in "OBI Apps Upgrade.pdf" page 6-37 to
mix with ETL side) is often straight forward and easy.page 6-44.
You may encounter a bug or a minor glitch which willWe had multiple errors during merge process. The goal
either have a bug fix or at least a work aroundhere is to minimize this so that least manual work is
solution. Its often a good idea to wait couple of weekrequired later. Way to do this is notice pattern of error
after release of upgrade platform so that mostand then change the custom RPD (equalized custom
common bugs are reported and a solution available.RPD) before merging and making the objects same
That being said, same may not be true aboutas in 7.9.6.1 RPD, so that the algorithm treats the object
upgrading the pre-built business intelligence applications.as equal.
We recently performed upgrade from version 7.9.2 to4. After RPDs are successfull merged, consistency
version 7.9.6.1. The process is complex and timecheck needs to be performed. Here again there will be
consuming, can take weeks if not months dependingpatterns of error, some can be fixed by making
on magnitude of customizations and scope of existingchanged to RPD before merging and then merging
implementation. We had to upgrade the platform first,again, others will need to be fixed manually.
the RPD definition, the catalog, then finally performWe faced an unusuall error that read: "[nQSError:
extensive regression testing. For benefit of other42001] Missing repository object with ID=3003:338714".
individuals I list here steps we took to upgrade theThis error completely halted the process as we could
RPD:not fix the error without knowing where the error is
1. We will need three repositories to begin with, 7.9.2comming from. To fix this issue we followed three
original RPD, 7.9.2 customized RPD and 7.9.61 RPD. Itsstep process:
important than in 7.9.6.1 all OOTB modules from 7.9.2StepA: export merged RPD to udml using following
should also be installed in addition to new SAs.syntax:nqudmlgen.exe -u Administrator -p
2. Equalize repositories - when installing OBI apps,custompwd-r
oracle ships with map files that are requried tonalyticsApps.RPD -o
equialize the RPDs. These have two steps:C:OracleBIUpgrade04AfterManualWorkmerged.udml
StepA: Equalize 7961 to 792, command for thisStepB: convert udml file back to RPD file using
is:equalizeRPDs -A Administrator -B SADMIN -Cfollowing command:nQUDMLExec -u Administrator -p
OracleBIAnalyticsApps792.RPD -D Administrator -EcustomRPD -i
SADMIN -F OracleBIAnalyticsApps7961.RPD -JC:OracleBIUpgrade04AfterManualWorkmerged.udml -o
rename792796new.map -OnalyticsApps1.RPD
oracleBIAnalyticsApps.RPDThis will create the RPD back, except that it will not
StepB: Equalize CustomRPD to 792equalizeRPDs -Abring in objects that was causing unusual errors.
Administrator -B SADMIN -CStepC: Compare the new RPD with RPD that was
OracleBIAnalyticsApps792.RPD -D Administrator -Egive unusual error. This should be able to point all
custompwd -F OracleBIAnalyticsAppscustom.RPD -Jobject which need to be fixed in order to proceed.
rename792796new.map -O5. Once all errors and warnings are resolved, RPD is
customoracleBIAnalyticsApps.RPDready for regression testing. Any errors there after will
3. Next step is to use three way merge and create aneed to be manually fixed.
new RPD. AdminTool has inbuilt merge option whichI will be writing more as we achieve next phase of
will need to be used. Details of merge and other stepsimplementations.