we are currently upgrading our oracle software from 8.1.7.4 to 9.2.0.8
( politics are keeping us from 10 at the moment )

I have a physical standby database in another location. it is running in mount state. we have OS scripts that copy archive logs to the location and apply to logs to the mounted database - continuously.

when we upgrade production - how to do the upgrade on the standby without a restore and recover and without opening the database ( which would lead to a restore and recover )

I have searched metalink and read some notes that deal with standby
databases. It seems that these standby databases are set up with RMAN ...
the one i am dealing with was not ...

any advice or direction would be appreciated ...