Applying DB Bundle Patches to RDBMS only (excluding Grid Infrastructure)
We are in the process of upgrading out Exadata system from V. 12 to current RU 18.3 and we have a question concerning the application of DB Bundle Patch (Patch 27968010 - Database Proactive Bundle Patch 12.1.0.2.180717) to the current RDBMS + DB with Version 12.1.0.2.170418 AFTER the Grid Infrastructure has been upgraded from 12.1.0.2.170418 to 18.3.0.0.180717.
In a first step, Exadata Components were updated.
Then the GI was upgraded.
Now we have databases version 12.1.0.2.170418 running with GI version 18.3.0.0.180717, which should be OK.
The problem ist now that the RDBMS/DB cannot be upgraded directly to 18.3.0.0.180717 (they are not at the minimum required level for a direct upgrade).