OCP Security And Upgrades Practice Question
You are applying an Oracle Release Update (RU) in a Data Guard environment. Following the 'Rolling Upgrade' methodology, which instance should be patched first to ensure continuous availability?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The Standby database instance
In a rolling upgrade, the standby instance is patched first, then a switchover is performed, and finally the former primary is patched.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The Standby database instance
Why this is correct
The standby is patched first to allow for a switchover, minimizing downtime.
- ✗
The observer node only
Why it's wrong here
The observer node does not host the database binary and is not patched in the same way.
- ✗
The Primary database instance
Why it's wrong here
Patching the primary first causes downtime.
- ✗
Both instances simultaneously
Why it's wrong here
Simultaneous patching results in total service outage.
About these practice questions
One of 312 original OCP practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Oracle exam blueprint
This OCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free Oracle certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the OCP exam.