Apply Linux Kernel Update with ASMLib configured

Before your actual database server which has Linux running on is patched, you need to ensure that you have downloaded the right asmlib rpm for the new kernel version.

The asmlib rpm can be downloaded from:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/linux/downloads/rhel5-084877.html

After the kernel update is applied on the server, you need to install the new asmlib rpm as root user:
For example, for the below kernel version, you need to install the following rpm
# uname -r
2.6.18-274.7.1.el5
# rpm -Uvh oracleasm-2.6.18-274.7.1.el5-2.0.5-1.el5.x86_64.rpm

Once the new rpm for the patched kernel is installed, you will need to restart the asm so that the disks can be discovered. To do this, issue the following as root:

# service oracleasm restart
Dropping Oracle ASMLib disks:                              [  OK  ]
Shutting down the Oracle ASMLib driver:                    [  OK  ]
Initializing the Oracle ASMLib driver:                     [  OK  ]
Scanning the system for Oracle ASMLib disks:               [  OK  ]
# /etc/init.d/oracleasm listdisks
VOL1
VOL2
VOL3
VOL4
VOL5
VOL6
You should now be able to start your asm instance successfully with all the required diskgroups mounted and ready to go.