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Thursday, April 30, 2009

Complete Recovery of Production Instance

Yesterday at 01:12 pm, the production instance crashed. We were reported of "Shared Memory Realm Does not Exist" error by the users.

I noticed in the Alertlog, that the Control File (control05.ctl) was having some problem.


Wed Apr 29 13:04:37 2009
Errors in file d:\oracle\admin\orcl0\bdump\orcl_arc2_4852.trc:
ORA-00202: controlfile: 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\ORCL\CONTROL05.CTL'
ORA-27091: skgfqio: unable to queue I/O
ORA-27070: skgfdisp: async read/write failed
OSD-04006: ReadFile() failure, unable to read from file
O/S-Error: (OS 2) The system cannot find the file specified.


I brought down the instance, as it was in nomount state, and then renamed the corrupted Control File (control05.ctl) and by copying one of the other control files, I created a new Control File (control05.ctl).

I fired the startup to see the control file issue was resolved, but also got a couple of new error messages related to datafile 12.

The alert log revealed the following:


Wed Apr 29 13:17:29 2009
Errors in file d:\oracle\admin\orcl0\udump\orcl_ora_6512.trc:
ORA-00600: internal error code, arguments: [krdsod_1], [198804811], [0], [198804867], [0], [], [], []
ORA-01115: IO error reading block from file 12 (block # 334316)
ORA-01110: data file 12: 'D:\ORACLE\ORADATA\ORCL\ORION_ISCO01.DBF'
ORA-27070: skgfdisp: async read/write failed
OSD-04016: Error queuing an asynchronous I/O request.
O/S-Error: (OS 2) The system cannot find the file specified.


This file was part of the main production tablespace, kind of the heart of the Functional ERP System. I fired a recover on the tablespace and it still gave the same error.


SQL> alter database recover datafile 12;
alter database recover datafile 12
*
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-00283: recovery session canceled due to errors
ORA-01115: IO error reading block from file 12 (block # 334316)
ORA-01110: data file 12: 'D:\ORACLE\ORADATA\ORCL\ORION_ISCO01.DBF'
ORA-27070: skgfdisp: async read/write failed
OSD-04016: Error queuing an asynchronous I/O request.
O/S-Error: (OS 2) The system cannot find the file specified.


I was wondering how many files have been affected in this manner, to decide between full database restore or individual datafile/tablespace restore and recover.

Meanwhile, from the IT Admins, I came to know that one of the disks from the 4 RAID5 disks had a problem (defunc) at almost the same time when we noticed a Instance Crash, and that the disk needed to be fixed.

The database is in Archivelog mode and we have daily full database backups and also Archivelog backups in every 4 hours taken. Then I tried to restore the whole tablespace (datafiles 11, 12, 18, 19), and it again failed at datafile 12. Then, I renamed the existing datafile (ORION_ISCO01.DBF) and then restored the datafile 12 (ORION_ISCO01.DBF) from the backup, and eventually restored all the other 3 datafiles. And then I sucessfully recovered the tablespace (SR 7473105.994).

Now, I was able to successfully open the database.


SQL> alter database open;
Database altered.

SQL>


I checked the Systems and they were all running fine. And, then I took a full database RMAN backup with retention policy of redundacy 2. I raised a Service Request (SR 7559528.992) with Oracle Support to look into what the error messages mean and is it directly related to the RAID5 disk failure.
I would require to answer a few questions to the Management regarding this Incident, or should I say, Disaster Recovery Situation. It's high time, we need to change the database server.

Today, the users are using the system as if nothing happened. Thanks to the implementation of RMAN, I was able to bring the database back online in 3:30 hours. I can't imagine what I would have done with the full export dumps, or the ealier weekly Cold Backups (NOARCHIVELOG).

I will keep you all posted on my further findings.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Oracle Service and Oracle Instance

There was a simple question on OTN Forum today, yet the answer to it required a re-think on how to put the words right.

"Hi,
anybody can expain what is the difference between starting the Oracle Services(using SERVICES.MSC) and starting the oracle instance (using Startup commant) ?. whats happening in oracle while doing these things?"

Although most of us know the concepts behind the question, at times we do run out of words in explaining it or atleast expressing it others. I came across this blog [http://ewhalen.blogspot.com/], which had the following to say on "Oracle Services and the Windows Registry":

"A Microsoft Windows service allows you to create long-running executable applications that run in their own Windows sessions. These services can be automatically started when the computer boots, can be manually started, stopped and paused. Because they run in their own session, they do not contain a user interface, but they can take parameters or use registry parameters. Services are used for long-running functionality that does not interact with other users, thus is good for server applications such as the Oracle Database Server and Oracle Listener. In addition, services can be invoked under the user context of a domain user, local user or the system account. Thus the Oracle service can be started by a user other than the Oracle database owner, but will run under the context of the Oracle user."

So, baasically, a service is the way windows recognizes an executable and allocates and keeps reserved an amount of memory, until the service is stopped or forcefully terminated. Using this Service our Oracle Instance hangs in there for us to use the Oracle Database.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

10G New Features: Data Pump Basics

Data Pump Components:

There are 3 major components of Data Pump Technology:
  1. DBMS_DATAPUMP package
    In this package are the procedures used to carryout the Data Pump export and import activities.
  2. DBMS_METADATA package
    This package is used to extract the metadata of the data dictionary objects.
  3. expdp, impdp client utilities
    Using "expdp", you can extract data objects from the source database. And, using "impdp", you can load data objects into the target database.

Directory Objects:

The Data Pump job creates the dump files on the server. Using Directory Objects, Data Pump can write to/read from the O/S directory on the server.

You can use the DIRECTORY parameter of expdp/impdp utilities to relate to the directory.
You can also set the Environment Vairable "DATA_PUMP_DIR" and furnish on the dumpfile or logfile name.
Or, in the DUMPFILE and LOGFILE parameters, prefix the dumpfile name or the logfile name with the Directory Name followed by a ':', i.e. DIRECTORY:FILE notation.
Let's see how it works:



SQL> conn / as sysdba
Connected.

SQL> create directory dp_dir01 as 'c:\oracle\backup\dp';

Directory created.

SQL> grant read, write on directory dp_dir01 to system;

Grant succeeded.

SQL> host expdp system/db10gee full=y dumpfile=dp_dir01:exp01.dmp logfile=dp_dir01:exp01.log

;;;
Export: Release 10.2.0.1.0 - Production on Saturday, 11 April, 2009 14:46:36

Copyright (c) 2003, 2005, Oracle. All rights reserved.
;;;
Connected to: Oracle Database 10g Enterprise Edition Release 10.2.0.1.0 - Production
With the Partitioning, OLAP and Data Mining options
Starting "SYSTEM"."SYS_EXPORT_FULL_01": system/******** full=y dumpfile=dp_dir01:exp01.dmp logfile=dp_dir01:exp01.log
Estimate in progress using BLOCKS method...
Total estimation using BLOCKS method: 120.8 MB
Processing object type DATABASE_EXPORT/TABLESPACE
................
................
................
Master table "SYSTEM"."SYS_EXPORT_FULL_01" successfully loaded/unloaded
******************************************************************************
Dump file set for SYSTEM.SYS_EXPORT_FULL_01 is:
C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\DP\EXP01.DMP
Job "SYSTEM"."SYS_EXPORT_FULL_01" successfully completed at 14:51:10




Order of Precedence for file locations will be as follows:
  1. DIRECTORY:FILE Notation
  2. DIRECTORY Parameter
  3. DATA_PUMP_DIR

Thursday, April 9, 2009

10G New Features: Statistics Collection

I am reading through "OCP Oracle Database 10G: New Features for Administrators Exam Guide" by Sam R. Alapati. A must read for 9i DBAs looking to upgrade skills to Oracle 10G.

In 10G, there is a new background process called MMON [Manageability Monitor Process]. MMON keeps track of the High Water Mark Statistics and the Database Usage statistics, recording it in AWR [Automatic Workload Repository].

Database Usage Statistics:

SQL> desc dba_feature_usage_statistics
Name Null? Type
----------------------------------------- -------- ----------------------------
DBID NOT NULL NUMBER
NAME NOT NULL VARCHAR2(64)
VERSION NOT NULL VARCHAR2(17)
DETECTED_USAGES NOT NULL NUMBER
TOTAL_SAMPLES NOT NULL NUMBER CURRENTLY_USED VARCHAR2(5)
FIRST_USAGE_DATE DATE
LAST_USAGE_DATE DATE
AUX_COUNT NUMBER
FEATURE_INFO CLOB
LAST_SAMPLE_DATE DATE
LAST_SAMPLE_PERIOD NUMBER
SAMPLE_INTERVAL NUMBER
DESCRIPTION VARCHAR2(128)
HWM Statistics:

SQL>
SQL> desc dba_high_water_mark_statistics
Name Null? Type
----------------------------------------- -------- ----------------------------
DBID NOT NULL NUMBER
NAME NOT NULL VARCHAR2(64)
VERSION NOT NULL VARCHAR2(17)
HIGHWATER NUMBER
LAST_VALUE NUMBER
DESCRIPTION VARCHAR2(128)

SQL>
SQL> select name, highwater, description
2 from dba_high_water_mark_statistics
3 order by 3;

NAME HIGHWATER
---------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
DESCRIPTION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU_COUNT 2
Maximum Number of CPUs
SESSIONS 18
Maximum Number of Concurrent Sessions seen in the database
DATAFILES 12
Maximum Number of Datafiles

PART_INDEXES 0
Maximum Number of Partitions belonging to an User Index
PART_TABLES 6
Maximum Number of Partitions belonging to an User Table
SQL_NCHAR_COLUMNS 11
Maximum Number of SQL NCHAR Columns

SERVICES 4
Maximum Number of Services
TABLESPACES 13
Maximum Number of Tablespaces
QUERY_LENGTH 139
Maximum Query Length

DB_SIZE 1704001536
Maximum Size of the Database (Bytes)
USER_INDEXES 2001
Number of User Indexes
USER_TABLES 998
Number of User Tables

SEGMENT_SIZE 183500800
Size of Largest Segment (Bytes)

13 rows selected.

SQL>
Pretty Cool.... Didn't have that in 9i.

Template Change

I really liked the template "Minima Dark", but had to change the template to "Minima Stretch", for better readability of texts, scripts and codes.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Cloning Database using RMAN

I mentioned in one of my RMAN posts earlier, that there was one feature that I really liked about RMAN. Well, today is your lucky day!!! I am going to talk about Database Cloning using RMAN.

I am sure most of you would be very well aware of RMAN''s Duplicate Command. We will see the command in action.

Before you start cloning you should fulfill the following pre-requisites:

  1. Target Database must be in Archivelog mode
  2. Target Database should be registered in the Recovery Catalog Database
  3. A Valid Full Database Backup of Target Database should be in hand
  4. A Test Machine that has Oracle Home Version same as that of Target Database
Example Considerations:


Test Machine O/S: Windows XP SP2
Oracle Version: Oracle 9iR2 (9.2.0.8) Standard Edition
Target Database: ORCL
Recover Catalog Database: RCVCAT
Auxiliary Database: DBPIMPL


On the Test Machine, create an initialization parameter file same as that of Target Database. Here I will refer my new Database to be cloned as Auxiliary Database having SID as "DBPIMPL".
  1. Change the db_name and instance_name parameters to Auxiliary Database Name, i.e. "DBPIMPL".
  2. Change the Target Database OFA path/location to the Auxiliary Database OFA path/location.
  3. Modify the SGA size as per the availability of Resources on Test Machine.
  4. Block Size of Auxiliary Database must be same as that of Target Database.
Please ensure that the following parameters are added to the PFILE:

*.lock_name_space=ORCL


This parameter ensures we don't accidently restore and recover the Target Database


*.db_file_name_convert=('D:\oracle\oradata\ORCL\', 'C:\oracle\oradata\DBPIMPL\')
*.log_file_name_convert=('D:\oracle\oradata\ORCL\', 'C:\oracle\oradata\DBPIMPL\')


Pointing to the new locaion, so that RMAN, using Target Database Backup Files, will restore at new location.

Your Auxilary Database's PFILE (initdbpimpl.ora) should look like this:


*.background_dump_dest='C:\oracle\admin\DBPIMPL\bdump'
*.compatible='9.2.0.8'
*.control_files='C:\oracle\oradata\DBPIMPL\CONTROL01.CTL','C:\oracle\oradata\DBPIMPL\CONTROL02.CTL','C:\oracle\oradata\DBPIMPL\CONTROL03.CTL'
*.core_dump_dest='C:\oracle\admin\DBPIMPL\cdump'
*.db_cache_size=33554432
*.db_block_size=4096
*.db_name='DBPIMPL'
*.instance_name='DBPIMPL'
*.java_pool_size=58720256
*.large_pool_size=10485760
*.open_cursors=300
*.pga_aggregate_target=25165824
*.processes=150
*.shared_pool_size=50331648
*.undo_management='AUTO'
*.undo_tablespace='UNDOTBS'
*.user_dump_dest='C:\oracle\admin\DBPIMPL\udump'
*.db_file_name_convert=('D:\oracle\oradata\ORCL\', 'C:\oracle\oradata\DBPIMPL\')
*.log_file_name_convert=('D:\oracle\oradata\ORCL\', 'C:\oracle\oradata\DBPIMPL\'
*.lock_name_space=ORCL


Next, create a service for Auxiliary Database using ORADIM:


oradim -new -sid dbpimpl -intpwd dbpimpl -pfile C:\oracle\product\9.2.0\db_1\database\initdbpimpl.ora -startmode m


In the Test Machine's TNSNAMES.ora, add a TNS Entry for the new database, i.e. Auxiliary Database. Ensure that all the 3 TNS entries are dedicated for RMAN to function smoothly.

In the Test Machine's LISTENER.ora, add the new database SID to the Listener's SID List.

Reload, or Stop and Start the to make the changes effective.

Ensure all the folders are created for the Auxiliary Database (DBPIMPL), as per Optimal Flexible Architecture. In my case, as follow:


.../admin/bdump
.../admin/cdump
.../admin/udump
.../oradata/DBPIMPL
.../oradata/DBPIMPL/archive


Open a new command window, and put the Auxiliary Database in NOMOUNT mode.


C:\>set oracle_sid=dbpimpl
C:\>sqlplus /nolog
SQL*Plus: Release 9.2.0.8.0 - Production on Tue Apr 7 09:43:42 2009
Copyright (c) 1982, 2002, Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.

SQL> connect / as sysdba
Connected to an idle instance.

SQL> host lsnrctl
LSNRCTL for 32-bit Windows: Version 9.2.0.8.0 - Production on 07-APR-2009 10:07:23
Copyright (c) 1991, 2006, Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.
Welcome to LSNRCTL, type "help" for information.

LSNRCTL> reload
Connecting to (DESCRIPTION=(ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(HOST=zaffark)(PORT=1521)))
The command completed successfully

LSNRCTL> exit

SQL>
SQL> startup nomount;
ORACLE instance started.
Total System Global Area 177282424 bytes
Fixed Size 454008 bytes
Variable Size 142606336 bytes
Database Buffers 33554432 bytes
Redo Buffers 667648 bytes

SQL>
SQL> show parameter db_name
NAME TYPE VALUE
------------------------------------ ----------- ------------------------------
db_name string DBPIMPL

SQL>
SQL> disconn

SQL> exit


Now, we will require to connect to RMAN on Test Machine and start the cloning process:


C:\>set oracle_sid=dbpimpl

C:\>rman
Recovery Manager: Release 9.2.0.8.0 - Production
Copyright (c) 1995, 2002, Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.

RMAN> spool log to c:\dbpimpl_dup_070409.txt

RMAN> connect catalog rman@rcvcat

recovery catalog database Password:

RMAN> connect target sys@orcl

target database Password:

RMAN> connect auxiliary /

RMAN>
RMAN> duplicate target database to DBPIMPL
2> LOGFILE
3> GROUP 1 ('C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO01A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO01B.RDO') SIZE 10M REUSE,
4> GROUP 2 ('C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO02A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO02B.RDO') SIZE 10M REUSE,
5> GROUP 3 ('C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO03A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO03B.RDO') SIZE 10M REUSE,
6> GROUP 4 ('C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO04A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO04B.RDO') SIZE 10M REUSE;

RMAN>


My Target Database Has Redo Multiplexed on 2 drives, where as my Auxiliary Database doesn't have the luxury of 2 drives. So, I will create Redo Log Group Members same as the Target Database, but point them to Test Machine's C: Drive.

I need to check the RMAN spool file for any errors. If none, my cloning is complete. So simple!!! That's why it is a beautiful feature of RMAN.

Here is what happens in the background when you fire the RMAN Duplicate command.


Spooling started in log file: c:\dbpimpl_dup_070409.txt
Recovery Manager: Release 9.2.0.8.0 - Production

RMAN> connected to recovery catalog database

RMAN> connected to target database: ORCL (DBID=1032853409)

RMAN> connected to auxiliary database: DBPIMPL (not mounted)

RMAN>
RMAN> 2> 3> 4> 5> 6>

Starting Duplicate Db at 07-APR-09
allocated channel: ORA_AUX_DISK_1
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: sid=10 devtype=DISK

printing stored script:
Memory Script{
set until scn 195634017;
set newname for datafile 1 to "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\SYSTEM01.DBF";
set newname for datafile 2 to "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\UNDOTBS01.DBF";
set newname for datafile 3 to "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\CWMLITE01.DBF";
set newname for datafile 4 to "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\DRSYS01.DBF";
set newname for datafile 5 to "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\INDX01.DBF";
set newname for datafile 6 to "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\TOOLS01.DBF";
.....
set newname for datafile 24 to "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\USERS01.DBF";
restore
check readonly
clone database ;
}

executing script: Memory Script
executing command: SET until clause
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME

Starting restore at 07-APR-09
using channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: starting datafile backupset restore
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: specifying datafile(s) to restore from backup set
restoring datafile 00001 to C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\SYSTEM01.DBF
restoring datafile 00002 to C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\UNDOTBS01.DBF
restoring datafile 00003 to C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\CWMLITE01.DBF
restoring datafile 00004 to C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\DRSYS01.DBF
restoring datafile 00005 to C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\INDX01.DBF
restoring datafile 00006 to C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\TOOLS01.DBF
......
restoring datafile 00024 to C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\USERS01.DBF

channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restored backup piece 1
piece handle=\\TESTDB\ORCL\ORCL_ARKBQBQB_1_1_20090406 tag=FULL_20090406_1730 params=NULL
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restored backup piece 2
piece handle=\\TESTDB\ORCL\ORCL_ARKBQBQB_2_1_20090406 tag=FULL_20090406_1730 params=NULL
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restored backup piece 3
piece handle=\\TESTDB\ORCL\ORCL_ARKBQBQB_3_1_20090406 tag=FULL_20090406_1730 params=NULL
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restored backup piece 4
piece handle=\\TESTDB\ORCL\ORCL_ARKBQBQB_4_1_20090406 tag=FULL_20090406_1730 params=NULL
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restored backup piece 5
piece handle=\\TESTDB\ORCL\ORCL_ARKBQBQB_5_1_20090406 tag=FULL_20090406_1730 params=NULL
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restored backup piece 6
piece handle=\\TESTDB\ORCL\ORCL_ARKBQBQB_6_1_20090406 tag=FULL_20090406_1730 params=NULL
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restored backup piece 7
piece handle=\\TESTDB\ORCL\ORCL_ARKBQBQB_7_1_20090406 tag=FULL_20090406_1730 params=NULL
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restored backup piece 8
piece handle=\\TESTDB\ORCL\ORCL_ARKBQBQB_8_1_20090406 tag=FULL_20090406_1730 params=NULL
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restored backup piece 9
piece handle=\\TESTDB\ORCL\ORCL_ARKBQBQB_9_1_20090406 tag=FULL_20090406_1730 params=NULL
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restore complete

Finished restore at 07-APR-09

sql statement: CREATE CONTROLFILE REUSE SET DATABASE "DBPIMPL" RESETLOGS ARCHIVELOG
MAXLOGFILES 50
MAXLOGMEMBERS 5
MAXDATAFILES 100
MAXINSTANCES 1
MAXLOGHISTORY 226
LOGFILE
GROUP 1 ( 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO01A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO01B.RDO' ) SIZE 10485760 REUSE,
GROUP 2 ( 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO02A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO02B.RDO' ) SIZE 10485760 REUSE,
GROUP 3 ( 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO03A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO03B.RDO' ) SIZE 10485760 REUSE,
GROUP 4 ( 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO04A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO04B.RDO' ) SIZE 10485760 REUSE
DATAFILE
'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\SYSTEM01.DBF'
CHARACTER SET WE8MSWIN1252

printing stored script: Memory Script
{ switch clone datafile all; }

executing script: Memory Script

datafile 2 switched to datafile copy
input datafilecopy recid=1 stamp=683556745 filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\UNDOTBS01.DBF
datafile 3 switched to datafile copy
input datafilecopy recid=2 stamp=683556745 filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\CWMLITE01.DBF
datafile 4 switched to datafile copy
input datafilecopy recid=3 stamp=683556745 filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\DRSYS01.DBF
datafile 5 switched to datafile copy
input datafilecopy recid=4 stamp=683556745 filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\INDX01.DBF
datafile 6 switched to datafile copy
input datafilecopy recid=5 stamp=683556745
filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\TOOLS01.DBF
......
datafile 24 switched to datafile copy
input datafilecopy recid=23 stamp=683556745 filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\USERS01.DBF

printing stored script: Memory Script

{
set until scn 195634017;
recover
clone database
delete archivelog ;
}

executing script: Memory Script

executing command: SET until clause

Starting recover at 07-APR-09
using channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1

starting media recovery

channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: starting archive log restore to default destination
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restoring archive log
archive log thread=1 sequence=8168
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restored backup piece 1
piece handle=\\TESTDB\ORCL\ORCL_ATKBQDRG_1_1_20090406 tag=ARCH_20090406_1730 params=NULL
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restore complete
archive log filename=C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.2.0\DB_1\RDBMS\ARC08168.001 thread=1 sequence=8168
channel clone_default: deleting archive log(s)
archive log filename=C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.2.0\DB_1\RDBMS\ARC08168.001 recid=1 stamp=683556761
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: starting archive log restore to default destination
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restoring archive log
archive log thread=1 sequence=8169
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restoring archive log
archive log thread=1 sequence=8170
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restoring archive log
archive log thread=1 sequence=8171
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restored backup piece 1
piece handle=\\TESTDB\ORCL\ORCL_B1KBS5S5_1_1_20090407 tag=ARCH_20090407_1000 params=NULL
channel ORA_AUX_DISK_1: restore complete
archive log filename=C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.2.0\DB_1\RDBMS\ARC08169.001 thread=1 sequence=8169
channel clone_default: deleting archive log(s)
archive log filename=C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.2.0\DB_1\RDBMS\ARC08169.001 recid=4 stamp=683556869
archive log filename=C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.2.0\DB_1\RDBMS\ARC08170.001 thread=1 sequence=8170
channel clone_default: deleting archive log(s)
archive log filename=C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.2.0\DB_1\RDBMS\ARC08170.001 recid=3 stamp=683556844
archive log filename=C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.2.0\DB_1\RDBMS\ARC08171.001 thread=1 sequence=8171
channel clone_default: deleting archive log(s)
archive log filename=C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.2.0\DB_1\RDBMS\ARC08171.001 recid=2 stamp=683556776
media recovery complete

Finished recover at 07-APR-09

printing stored script: Memory Script

{
shutdown clone;
startup clone nomount ;
}

executing script: Memory Script

database dismounted
Oracle instance shut down

connected to auxiliary database (not started)
Oracle instance started

Total System Global Area 177282424 bytes

Fixed Size 454008 bytes
Variable Size 142606336 bytes
Database Buffers 33554432 bytes
Redo Buffers 667648 bytes

sql statement: CREATE CONTROLFILE REUSE SET DATABASE "DBPIMPL" RESETLOGS ARCHIVELOG
MAXLOGFILES 50
MAXLOGMEMBERS 5
MAXDATAFILES 100
MAXINSTANCES 1
MAXLOGHISTORY 226
LOGFILE
GROUP 1 ( 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO01A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO01B.RDO' ) SIZE 10485760 REUSE,
GROUP 2 ( 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO02A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO02B.RDO' ) SIZE 10485760 REUSE,
GROUP 3 ( 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO03A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO03B.RDO' ) SIZE 10485760 REUSE,
GROUP 4 ( 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO04A.RDO', 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\dbpimpl\REDO04B.RDO' ) SIZE 10485760 REUSE
DATAFILE 'C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\SYSTEM01.DBF'
CHARACTER SET WE8MSWIN1252

printing stored script: Memory Script

{
catalog clone datafilecopy "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\UNDOTBS01.DBF";
catalog clone datafilecopy "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\CWMLITE01.DBF";
catalog clone datafilecopy "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\DRSYS01.DBF";
catalog clone datafilecopy "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\INDX01.DBF";
catalog clone datafilecopy "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\TOOLS01.DBF";
......
catalog clone datafilecopy "C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\USERS01.DBF";
switch clone datafile all;
}


executing script: Memory Script

cataloged datafile copy
datafile copy filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\UNDOTBS01.DBF recid=1 stamp=683557959
cataloged datafile copy
datafile copy filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\CWMLITE01.DBF recid=2 stamp=683557959
cataloged datafile copy
datafile copy filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\DRSYS01.DBF recid=3 stamp=683557959
cataloged datafile copy
datafile copy filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\INDX01.DBF recid=4 stamp=683557960
cataloged datafile copy
datafile copy filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\TOOLS01.DBF recid=5 stamp=683557960
......
cataloged datafile copy
datafile copy filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\USERS01.DBF recid=23 stamp=683557961
datafile 2 switched to datafile copy
input datafilecopy recid=1 stamp=683557959 filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\UNDOTBS01.DBF
datafile 3 switched to datafile copy
input datafilecopy recid=2 stamp=683557959 filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\CWMLITE01.DBF
datafile 4 switched to datafile copy
input datafilecopy recid=3 stamp=683557959 filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\DRSYS01.DBF
datafile 5 switched to datafile copy
input datafilecopy recid=4 stamp=683557960 filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\INDX01.DBF
datafile 6 switched to datafile copy
filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\TOOLS01.DBF
input datafilecopy recid=5 stamp=683557960
......
datafile 24 switched to datafile copy
input datafilecopy recid=23 stamp=683557964 filename=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\USERS01.DBF

printing stored script: Memory Script

{
Alter clone database open resetlogs;
}

executing script: Memory Script
database opened

Finished Duplicate Db at 07-APR-09

RMAN>


So, the logs says my cloniong is successfully completed. Now there are few post-cloning activities that need to be taken care of.

Firstly, you need to add tempfiles to all the temporary tablespaces that you might be having in the Auxiliary Database. Then create your spfile from pfile, and restart the database.


SQL> ALTER TABLESPACE TEMP ADD TEMPFILE 'C:\oracle\oradata\DBPIMPL\TEMP01.DBF' SIZE 100M
2 /
Tablespace altered.

SQL> ALTER TABLESPACE TEMP_STATS ADD TEMPFILE 'C:\oracle\oradata\DBPIMPL\TEMP_STATS01.DBF' SIZE 50M
2 /
Tablespace altered.

SQL> ALTER TABLESPACE TEMP_PAY ADD TEMPFILE 'C:\oracle\oradata\DBPIMPL\TEMP_PAY01.DBF' SIZE 50M
2 /
Tablespace altered.

SQL> SELECT COUNT(*) FROM DBA_OBJECTS WHERE STATUS <> 'VALID';
COUNT(*)
----------
0

SQL> create spfile from pfile;
File created.

SQL> shutdown immediate
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.

SQL> startup
ORACLE instance started.
Total System Global Area 177282424 bytes
Fixed Size 454008 bytes
Variable Size 142606336 bytes
Database Buffers 33554432 bytes
Redo Buffers 667648 bytes
Database mounted.
Database opened.

SQL> exit


Now you can connect to RMAN using target control file and take a full database backup.


C:\>rman

Recovery Manager: Release 9.2.0.8.0 - Production

Copyright (c) 1995, 2002, Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.

RMAN> CONNECT TARGET /

connected to target database: DBPIMPL (DBID=1527816262)

RMAN> SHOW ALL;

using target database controlfile instead of recovery catalog
RMAN configuration parameters are:

CONFIGURE RETENTION POLICY TO REDUNDANCY 1; # default
CONFIGURE BACKUP OPTIMIZATION OFF; # default
CONFIGURE DEFAULT DEVICE TYPE TO DISK; # default
CONFIGURE CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP OFF; # default
CONFIGURE CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP FORMAT FOR DEVICE TYPE DISK TO '%F'; # default
CONFIGURE DEVICE TYPE DISK PARALLELISM 1; # default
CONFIGURE DATAFILE BACKUP COPIES FOR DEVICE TYPE DISK TO 1; # default
CONFIGURE ARCHIVELOG BACKUP COPIES FOR DEVICE TYPE DISK TO 1; # default
CONFIGURE MAXSETSIZE TO UNLIMITED; # defaultCONFIGURE SNAPSHOT CONTROLFILE NAME TO 'C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.2.0\DB_1\DATABASE\SNCFDBPIMPL.ORA'; # default

RMAN> CONFIGURE CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP ON;

new RMAN configuration parameters:
CONFIGURE CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP ON;
new RMAN configuration parameters are successfully stored

RMAN> CONFIGURE CHANNEL DEVICE TYPE DISK FORMAT 'C:\oracle\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\%d_%U_%T' MAXPIECESIZE 2 G;

new RMAN configuration parameters:
CONFIGURE CHANNEL DEVICE TYPE DISK FORMAT 'C:\oracle\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\%d_%U_%T' MAXPIECESIZE 2 G;
new RMAN configuration parameters are successfully stored

RMAN>
RMAN> show all;

RMAN configuration parameters are:
CONFIGURE RETENTION POLICY TO REDUNDANCY 1; # default
CONFIGURE BACKUP OPTIMIZATION OFF; # default
CONFIGURE DEFAULT DEVICE TYPE TO DISK; # default
CONFIGURE CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP ON;
CONFIGURE CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP FORMAT FOR DEVICE TYPE DISK TO '%F'; # default
CONFIGURE DEVICE TYPE DISK PARALLELISM 1; # default
CONFIGURE DATAFILE BACKUP COPIES FOR DEVICE TYPE DISK TO 1; # default
CONFIGURE ARCHIVELOG BACKUP COPIES FOR DEVICE TYPE DISK TO 1; # default
CONFIGURE CHANNEL DEVICE TYPE DISK FORMAT 'C:\oracle\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\%d_%U_%T' MAXPIECESIZE 2 G;
CONFIGURE MAXSETSIZE TO UNLIMITED; # default
CONFIGURE SNAPSHOT CONTROLFILE NAME TO 'C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.2.0\DB_1\DATABASE\SNCFDBPIMPL.ORA'; # default

RMAN> BACKUP DATABASE PLUS ARCHIVELOG;

Starting backup at 07-APR-09
current log archived
allocated channel: ORA_DISK_1
channel ORA_DISK_1: sid=10 devtype=DISK
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting archive log backupset
channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying archive log(s) in backup setinput archive log thread=1 sequence=1 recid=1 stamp=683558677
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 07-APR-09
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\DBPIMPL_01KBSHOL_1_1_20090407 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:03
Finished backup at 07-APR-09

Starting backup at 07-APR-09
using channel ORA_DISK_1
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting full datafile backupset
channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying datafile(s) in backupset
input datafile fno=00001 name=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\SYSTEM01.DBF
input datafile fno=00002 name=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\UNDOTBS01.DBF
input datafile fno=00006 name=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\TOOLS01.DBF
input datafile fno=00005 name=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\INDX01.DBF
input datafile fno=00003 name=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\CWMLITE01.DBF
input datafile fno=00004 name=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\DRSYS01.DBF
......
input datafile fno=00024 name=C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBPIMPL\USERS01.DBF
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 07-APR-09
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\DBPIMPL_02KBSHOP_1_1_20090407 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 2 at 07-APR-09
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 2 at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\DBPIMPL_02KBSHOP_2_1_20090407 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 3 at 07-APR-09
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 3 at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\DBPIMPL_02KBSHOP_3_1_20090407 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 4 at 07-APR-09
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 4 at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\DBPIMPL_02KBSHOP_4_1_20090407 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 5 at 07-APR-09
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 5 at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\DBPIMPL_02KBSHOP_5_1_20090407 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 6 at 07-APR-09
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 6 at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\DBPIMPL_02KBSHOP_6_1_20090407 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 7 at 07-APR-09
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 7 at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\DBPIMPL_02KBSHOP_7_1_20090407 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 8 at 07-APR-09
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 8 at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\DBPIMPL_02KBSHOP_8_1_20090407 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 9 at 07-APR-09
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 9 at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\DBPIMPL_02KBSHOP_9_1_20090407 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:25:43
Finished backup at 07-APR-09

Starting backup at 07-APR-09
current log archived
using channel ORA_DISK_1
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting archive log backupset
channel ORA_DISK_1: specifying archive log(s) in backup setinput archive log thread=1 sequence=2 recid=2 stamp=683560224
channel ORA_DISK_1: starting piece 1 at 07-APR-09
channel ORA_DISK_1: finished piece 1 at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\BACKUP\RMAN\DBPIMPL\DBPIMPL_03KBSJ90_1_1_20090407 comment=NONE
channel ORA_DISK_1: backup set complete, elapsed time: 00:00:03
Finished backup at 07-APR-09

Starting Control File Autobackup at 07-APR-09
piece handle=C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.2.0\DB_1\DATABASE\C-1527816262-20090407-00 comment=NONE
Finished Control File Autobackup at 07-APR-09

RMAN>exit;

c:\>


This completes the cloning of Auxiliary Database, similar to that of the Target Database.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Winding-Up RMAN Implementation for Production Database

While I was taking up the RMAN Backup performance issue along with support, I also posted the query on OTN Forums (http://forums.oracle.com/forums/message.jspa?messageID=3320320#3320320).

I carried out the tablespace RMAN backup on the Database Server and then copied it to Blade5 SAN location. When I did a normal copy it took only 2 minutes as opposed to 21 minutes.

This was what one contributor had to say on OTN Forum:
"The rman backup process is not only a copy process but also a check on the integrety of the written backup piece. Might be there are a lot of context switches involved in this process which can, due to latency on the network result in bad performance.(The connection to the bad performing storage is over IP as I understand it)Regards,Tycho"

Well, in any case, there definately was no solution coming out from either sides (Oracle Support and IT Admins) to resolve the performance issue and pronouce RMAN implementation successful. Assuring that <\\testdb\orcl> location would be used as a staging location to backup the RMAN files to DDS tapes, I went ahead and scheduled the RMAN full database backups.

So now, I have a Recovery Catalog Instance through which I am taking daily RMAN Backups of Production Instance, Development Instance and Test Instance. And once all the 3 backups are completed, I am taking RMAN No catalog /target Backup of Recovery Catalog Database on shared SAN folder. It takes 25 minutes to generate 700 MB RMAN Backup files of the Recovery Catalog Database.

Here is the source of windows batch file that carries out the scheduled RMAN backups:



REM#####################################################################
REM # Name: testdb_prod_rman_hot_backup_dsk.bat
REM # Description: ORCL
REM # Generic Hot backup script that accepts the SID
REM # Parameters: Instance Name
REM##################################################################
REM # Check if SID was Passed
if (%1)==() goto USAGE

REM # assign ORACLE_SID to passed SID
set ORACLE_SID=%1

REM # assign a date we can use as part of the logfile
set DTE=%date:~-4%%date:~3,2%%date:~0,2%_%time:~0,2%%time:~3,2%

REM # Take the spaces out of the date string so we can use in our file name
set DTE=%DTE: =%

REM # set the script locationREM # Set location of where you will put script
set SCRIPTLOC=C:\oracle\BACKUP\Scriptscd %SCRIPTLOC%

REM # Set the Temporary command file that we will write our rman script to
set CMDFILE=%SCRIPTLOC%\%ORACLE_SID%_rman_hot_backup_dsk.cmd

REM # Remove the temporary file if it exists
del /q %CMDFILE%

REM # Set the logfile directory
REM # Change based on where you want the backup logs to go
set LOGPATH=C:\oracle\BACKUP\logs
set LOGFILE=%ORACLE_SID%_rman_hot_backup_dsk_%DTE%.log
set LOG=%LOGPATH%\%LOGFILE%

REM # Set the path of the backup location
REM # Change based on disk path for you disk based backups (ORCL)
set BACKLOC=\\testdb\%ORACLE_SID%

REM # Set to your ORACLE_HOME location
set ORACLE_HOME=C:\oracle\product\9.2.0\db_1

# Set the rest of the Oracle Environment# based on our ORACLE_HOME
set LIBPATH=%ORACLE_HOME%/lib
set LD_LIBRARY_PATH=%ORACLE_HOME%/lib
set TNS_ADMIN=%ORACLE_HOME%/network/admin

REM Set our PATH with the ORACLE_HOME so that we have a good
REM clean environment to work with
set PATH=%ORACLE_HOME%/bin;%ORACLE_HOME%/OPatch;%PATH%

REM # Write Temporary command file for RMAN backup
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo # display current configurations and list of backups >> %CMDFILE%
echo SHOW ALL ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo LIST BACKUP SUMMARY ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo # lets start clean for our hot backup by doing full crosschecks >> %CMDFILE%
echo change archivelog all crosscheck ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo crosscheck backup of database; >> %CMDFILE%
echo crosscheck backup of controlfile; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo delete noprompt expired archivelog all ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo delete noprompt expired backup ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo delete noprompt obsolete ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo CONFIGURE CHANNEL DEVICE TYPE DISK FORMAT '\\testdb\orcl\%%d_%%U_%%T' MAXPIECESIZE 2 G ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo # Archive current log file >> %CMDFILE%
echo SQL 'alter system archive log current' ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo # Backup our database >> %CMDFILE%
echo BACKUP DATABASE tag FULL_%DTE% ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo # Backup our archive log files that have not been backed up >> %CMDFILE%
echo BACKUP ARCHIVELOG ALL DELETE INPUT tag ARCH_%DTE% ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo # put controlfile to trace >> %CMDFILE%
echo sql 'ALTER DATABASE BACKUP CONTROLFILE TO TRACE' ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo # report and delete unrecoverable and obsolete >> %CMDFILE%
echo REPORT UNRECOVERABLE ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo REPORT OBSOLETE ORPHAN ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo DELETE NOPROMPT OBSOLETE ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo DELETE NOPROMPT EXPIRED BACKUP ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo CROSSCHECK BACKUPSET ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo # >> %CMDFILE%
echo # list backup details and summary >> %CMDFILE%
echo LIST BACKUP ; >> %CMDFILE%
echo LIST BACKUP SUMMARY ; >> %CMDFILE%

REM # Run the RMAN backup without using the recovery catalog
%ORACLE_HOME%\bin\rman target=sys/@ catalog rman/@ cmdfile=%CMDFILE% msglog=%LOG%

REM # Remove our temporary command file
del /q %CMDFILE%

REM # Goto end of script as we are done
goto END

:USAGE
echo "Must Pass ORACLE_SID as parameters."
goto END

:END



In addition to the daily full database backup, and as per Anwar's suggestion/comment to my 1st RMAN Implementation post on this blog, I scheduled the backup of archive logs at an interval of 3 hours during working hours.

The scheduled jobs are running perfectly fine, and I was able to perform Cloning to set up Test Instance using production RMAN backup. I will be posting more on how to Clone/Duplicate a Database using RMAN Duplicate Command.

Published my first Oracle Technical Whitepaper

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

Today, with the grace of Almighty, I have achieved one of the major milestones of my career.

I have successfully published my Oracle Technical Whitepaper titled "My Journey from 9.0.1 to 9.2.0.8" on Oracle Customer Knowledge Exchange (https://communities.oracle.com/). The paper is based on my work/accomplishments as an Oracle Database Administrator here in Integral Services Company WLL. On this blog, you know it as "Journey from 9.0.1 to 9.2.0.8: Part I-IV".

Though the subject, primarily, is based on the migration of Oracle Database from one version to another, I have tried to touch the various areas that were somehow related to the subject.

The access to the published document in Oracle Customer Knowledge Exchange would require customer logon credentials. So, you can email me at zk.oracle@gmail.com for the PDF file.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Journey from 9.0.1 to 9.2.0.8: Part-IV

The Action Plan for Oracle R1 (9.0.1) to Oracle R2 (9.2.0.8) migration was in place, and the scheduled full export dumps of the production instance were generating around 9 GB dump file. I coordinated with the IT Admins and arranged for a Test Machine, where I could carry out series of migration tests with both Manual Upgrade Process and Database Upgrade Assistant.

I had to set up an environment similar to that of the Production Box, only then could I simulate the migration. So, my Action Plan for the simulated migration/upgrade on the same server was as follows:

  1. Firstly, to install Oracle 9iR1 [9.0.1] base home on the test machine,
  2. Then, to create a Test Database similar to the Production Database, by using the latest export backup of the production instance,
  3. Next, to install Oracle 9iR2 [9.2.0] base home in a separate location on the same test machine,
  4. Then, to patch the Oracle 9iR2 [9.2.0] base home with 9.2.0.8 patchset,
  5. Before beginning the upgrade process, to ensure a cold backup of Oracle 9iR1 [9.0.1] Test Database is taken,
  6. Make sure the following environment variables point to the new Release directories:
    a. ORACLE_HOME
    b. PATH
    c. ORA_NLS33
    d. ORACLE_BASE
    e. LD_LIBRARY_PATH
    f. ORACLE_PATH
  7. Then, using either DBUA or Manual process, to upgrade the Oracle 9iR1 [9.0.1] test database to Oracle 9iR2 [9.2.0.8],
  8. If upgrade is successful, then to take a post upgrade cold backup,
  9. If any major issues are encountered during the upgrade process, then to restore the cold backup prior to upgrade and point the database to the old home Oracle 9iR1 [9.0.1]. And, to Restart the Migrate/Upgrade Process.
Depending on the test results, I would have to choose between Manual Upgrade and DBUA for carrying out the upgrade on the production box.

With DBUA, you had to do very little, as you were completely relying on the Upgrade Assistant to do the job. But, if the upgrade fails in between, you would have a hard time tracing and fixing the issues and then continuing from where the upgrade failed. Whereas, with the Manual Upgrade Process, though it was tediously cumbersome method, you had complete control over your upgrade. Even if at any point you get some error, you could eventually have full control over the upgrade to fix the issue and proceed further. In addition, by the time you complete the Manual Upgrade, you would have all the technical insights to the migration from one version to another. I also came across the Metalink Note: 406037.1 to check for any issues during applying patch without shutting down the Database or Listener.

To begin with, I initiated the migration testing using Manual Upgrade Process using the Metalink Note: 159657.1 [Complete Upgrade Checklist for Manual Upgrades from 8.X / 9.0.1 to Oracle9iR2 (9.2.0)]

Please find below output related the pre-requisite checks performed on the Test database:


SQL> select max(bytes) from dba_free_space
2 where tablespace_name='SYSTEM';



MAX(BYTES)

----------

242745344



SQL> SELECT COUNT(*) FROM dba_objects;



COUNT(*)

----------

67952



SQL> select substr(owner,1,12) owner,

2 substr(object_name,1,30) object,

3 substr(object_type,1,30) type,

4 status

5 from dba_objects

6 where status <>'VALID';



OWNER OBJECT TYPE STATUS

------------ ------------------------------ ------------------ -------

- 11 Non System Objects not shown here



11 rows selected.



SQL> @C:\ORACLE\PRODUCT\9.0.1\DB_1\RDBMS\ADMIN\UTLRP



PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.



SQL> select substr(owner,1,12) owner,

2 substr(object_name,1,30) object,

3 substr(object_type,1,30) type,

4 status

5 from dba_objects

6 where status <>'VALID';



no rows selected



SQL> SELECT * FROM V$RECOVER_FILE;



no rows selected



SQL> SELECT * FROM V$BACKUP WHERE STATUS <> 'NOT ACTIVE';



no rows selected



SQL> SELECT * FROM DBA_2PC_PENDING;



no rows selected



SQL> ALTER SYSTEM SET JOB_QUEUE_PROCESSES=0 SCOPE=BOTH;



System altered.



SQL>

SQL> ED

Wrote file afiedt.buf



1 SELECT USERNAME,

2 DEFAULT_TABLESPACE

3 FROM DBA_USERS

4* WHERE USERNAME IN ('SYS', 'SYSTEM')

SQL> /



USERNAME DEFAULT_TABLESPACE

------------------------------------------------------------

SYSTEM SYSTEM

SYS SYSTEM



2 rows selected.



SQL> ED

Wrote file afiedt.buf



1 SELECT TABLESPACE_NAME

2 FROM DBA_TABLES

3* WHERE TABLE_NAME='AUD$'

SQL> /



TABLESPACE_NAME

------------------------------

SYSTEM



1 row selected.



SQL> SELECT * FROM V$CONTROLFILE;



STATUS

-------

NAME

----------------------------------------------------------------------

C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBDEV\CONTROL01.CTL

C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBDEV\CONTROL02.CTL

C:\ORACLE\ORADATA\DBDEV\CONTROL03.CTL

3 rows selected.

SQL> SELECT * FROM V$PWFILE_USERS;



USERNAME SYSDBSYSOP

----------------------------------------

INTERNAL TRUE TRUE

SYS TRUE TRUE



2 rows selected.



SQL> SHOW PARAMETER MAX_ENAB



NAME TYPE VALUE

----------------------------------------------------------------------

max_enabled_roles integer 148



SQL> SHOW PARAMETER POOL_SIZE



NAME TYPE VALUE

----------------------------------------------------------------------

global_context_pool_size string

java_pool_size string 25165824

large_pool_size string 41943040

shared_pool_size big integer100663296


SQL> ALTER SYSTEM SET SHARED_POOL_SIZE=150M SCOPE=SPFILE;



System altered.



SQL> ALTER SYSTEM SET LARGE_POOL_SIZE=157286400 SCOPE=SPFILE;



System altered.



SQL>

SQL> SHOW PARAMETER REMOTE



NAME TYPE VALUE

----------------------------------------------------------------------

remote_archive_enable boolean TRUE

remote_dependencies_mode string TIMESTAMP

remote_listener string

remote_login_passwordfile string EXCLUSIVE

remote_os_authent boolean FALSE

remote_os_roles boolean FALSE



SQL> SHUT IMMEDIATE

Database closed.

Database dismounted.

ORACLE instance shut down.



SQL> HOST ORADIM -DELETE -SID DBDEV



SQL> HOST ORADIM -NEW -SID DBDEV -INTPWD DBDEV -STARTMODE AUTO -PFILE=C:\oracle\admin\DBDEV\pfile\INIT.ORA



SQL> HOST ORADIM -NEW -SID DBDEV -INTPWD DBDEV -STARTMODE AUTO -PFILE C:\oracle\admin\DBDEV\pfile\INIT.ORA



Once the pre-requisite checks are satisfactory, startup the database in migrate mode.

SQL> startup migrate
ORACLE instance started.

Total System Global Area 472457268 bytes
Fixed Size 454708 bytes
Variable Size 369098752 bytes
Database Buffers 100663296 bytes
Redo Buffers 2240512 bytes
Database mounted.
Database opened.
To start the Migrate/Upgrade process, run the following script:

SQL> @C:\oracle\product\9.2.0\db_1\rdbms\admin\U0900010

SQL> SELECT COMP_NAME, VERSION, STATUS
2 FROM DBA_REGISTRY;

COMP_NAME VERSION STATUS
----------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------
Oracle9i Catalog Views 9.2.0.8.0 VALID
Oracle9i Packages and Types 9.2.0.8.0 VALID
JServer JAVA Virtual Machine 9.0.1 LOADED
Java Packages 9.0.1 LOADED
Oracle XDK for Java 9.0.1 LOADED
Oracle Text 9.0.1 LOADED
Oracle Workspace Manager 9.0.1.0.0 LOADED
Oracle interMedia 9.0.1.0.1 LOADED

8 rows selected.
To Upgrade the Components, run the following script:

SQL> @C:\oracle\product\9.2.0\db_1\rdbms\admin\CMPDBMIG

SQL> SELECT COMP_NAME, VERSION, STATUS
2 FROM DBA_REGISTRY;

COMP_NAME VERSION STATUS
----------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------
Oracle9i Catalog Views 9.2.0.8.0 VALID
Oracle9i Packages and Types 9.2.0.8.0 VALID
JServer JAVA Virtual Machine 9.2.0.8.0 VALID
Oracle9i Java Packages 9.2.0.8.0 VALID
Oracle XDK for Java 9.2.0.10.0 UPGRADED
Oracle Text 9.0.1 LOADED
Oracle Workspace Manager 9.2.0.1.0 VALID
Oracle interMedia 9.0.1.0.1 LOADED

8 rows selected.

SQL> shut immediate
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.
We need to compile the invalid objects from the Migrate/Upgrade process.

 SQL> startup restrict
ORACLE instance started.

Total System Global Area 472457268 bytes
Fixed Size 454708 bytes
Variable Size 369098752 bytes
Database Buffers 100663296 bytes
Redo Buffers 2240512 bytes
Database mounted.
Database opened.

SQL> @C:\oracle\product\9.2.0\db_1\rdbms\admin\UTLRP

PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.

Table created.

Table created.

Table created.

Index created.

Table created.

Table created.

View created.

View created.

Package created.

No errors.

Package body created.

No errors.

PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.

PL/SQL procedure successfully completed.

SQL>
SQL> shut immediate
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.

SQL> startup
ORACLE instance started.

Total System Global Area 472457268 bytes
Fixed Size 454708 bytes
Variable Size 369098752 bytes
Database Buffers 100663296 bytes
Redo Buffers 2240512 bytes
Database mounted.
Database opened.

SQL> SELECT COMP_NAME, VERSION, STATUS
2 FROM DBA_REGISTRY;

COMP_NAME VERSION STATUS
----------------------------------- ------------------------------ -----------
Oracle9i Catalog Views 9.2.0.8.0 VALID
Oracle9i Packages and Types 9.2.0.8.0 VALID
JServer JAVA Virtual Machine 9.2.0.8.0 VALID
Oracle9i Java Packages 9.2.0.8.0 VALID
Oracle XDK for Java 9.2.0.10.0 VALID
Oracle Text 9.0.1 LOADED
Oracle Workspace Manager 9.2.0.1.0 VALID
Oracle interMedia 9.0.1.0.1 LOADED

8 rows selected.
To upgrade “Oracle Text” and “Oracle interMedia”, I referred the following Metalink Notes :
  • 275689.1 Manual installation, deinstallation of Oracle Text 9.2, and
  • 337415.1 Where to Find the Information to Install, Upgrade, Downgrade and Deinstall interMedia/Oracle Multimedia?

Now, my test database was successfully upgraded to Oracle 9iR2 (9.2.0.8). Similarly, I set up another test database and this time carried out my simulated migration using DBUA. Using the Database Upgrade Assistant for migration of the test database was really smooth. Just, Sit back and watch! But, need to watch for error messages.

Parallel to the test run activities, we received the good news that the Production Server’s RAM can now be upgraded from 1.5 GB to 4 GB, as the RAM for our server model is available. This really made the production migration activity to run smoothly. Without any further delay, we planned for an appropriate maintenance window and upgraded the Server's RAM.

Subsequently, I carried out the Oracle SGA Optimization, by appropriately sizing the SGA components to increase the SGA from 930 MB to 1.4 GB. And remaining 500-600 MB from the 2 GB process limit was configured for the user sessions’ memory. As we were running Windows 2000 Server Standard Edition, we were not in a position to enable Address Windowing Extensions [Metalink Note: 225349.1] to use. So the remaining 2 GB RAM remains unutilized.

By now, I was quite comfortable with both the upgrade processes, and I decided to carry out the production migration from Oracle 9iR1 (9.0.1) to Oracle 9iR2 (9.2.0.8) using DBUA. I planned for an ample maintenance window and, with the required technical assistance from the IT Admins, upgraded the production database using Database Upgrade Assistant. While upgrade I received the following errors:


Step Execution Information:
Oracle Database

Error ignored: ORA-00904: "TYPE": invalid identifier
Error ignored: ORA-24032: object AQ$_AQ_EVENT_TABLE_T exists, index could not be created for queue table AQ_EVENT_TABLE ORA-06512: at line 6
Error ignored: ORA-24002: QUEUE_TABLE SYS.AQ_EVENT_TABLE does not exist ORA-06512: at line 6
Error ignored: ORA-24010: QUEUE SYS.AQ_EVENT_TABLE_Q does not exist ORA-06512: at "SYS.DBMS_AQADM_SYS", line 3676 ORA-06512: at "SYS.DBMS_AQADM", line 217 ORA-06512: at line 2
Error ignored: ORA-24032: object AQ$_AQ_SRVNTFN_TABLE_T exists, index could not be created for queue table AQ_SRVNTFN_TABLE ORA-06512: at line 6
Error ignored: ORA-24002: QUEUE_TABLE SYS.AQ_SRVNTFN_TABLE does not exist ORA-06512: at line 6
Error ignored: ORA-24010: QUEUE SYS.AQ_SRVNTFN_TABLE_Q does not exist ORA-06512: at "SYS.DBMS_AQADM_SYS", line 3676 ORA-06512: at "SYS.DBMS_AQADM", line 217 ORA-06512: at line 2
Error ignored: ORA-24006: cannot create QUEUE, SYSTEM.AQ$_DEF$_AQCALL_E already exists ORA-06512: at line 9
Error ignored: ORA-24002: QUEUE_TABLE SYSTEM.DEF$_AQCALL does not exist ORA-06512: at line 19
Error ignored: ORA-24006: cannot create QUEUE, SYSTEM.AQ$_DEF$_AQERROR_E already exists ORA-06512: at line 9
Error ignored: ORA-24002: QUEUE_TABLE SYSTEM.DEF$_AQERROR does not exist ORA-06512: at line 19
Error ignored: ORA-04063: view "SYS.DBA_LOGSTDBY_PROGRESS" has errors

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As most of the errors where related to Streams, and we were not using any Streams, I ignored and completed the upgrade using DBUA, and checked the health of the production instance.

SQL>
SQL> select * from v$version;

BANNER
----------------------------------------------------------------
Oracle9i Release 9.2.0.8.0 - Production
PL/SQL Release 9.2.0.8.0 - Production
CORE 9.2.0.8.0 Production
TNS for 32-bit Windows: Version 9.2.0.8.0 - Production
NLSRTL Version 9.2.0.8.0 - Production

SQL>
SQL> select substr(comp_id,1,12) comp_id, status, substr(version,1,10) version,
2 substr(comp_name,1,40) comp_name from dba_registry order by 1;

COMP_ID STATUS VERSION COMP_NAME
------------ ----------- ---------- ----------------------------------------
AMD OPTION OFF 9.0.1.0.0 OLAP Catalog
CATALOG INVALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle9i Catalog Views
CATJAVA VALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle9i Java Packages
CATPROC INVALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle9i Packages and Types
CONTEXT VALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle Text
JAVAVM VALID 9.2.0.8.0 JServer JAVA Virtual Machine
ORDIM VALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle interMedia
OWM VALID 9.2.0.1.0 Oracle Workspace Manager
RAC INVALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle9i Real Application Clusters
SDO VALID 9.2.0.8.0 Spatial
WK LOADED 9.0.1.0.0 Ultrasearch
XML VALID 9.2.0.10.0 Oracle XDK for Java

12 rows selected.

SQL> SELECT SUBSTR(OWNER,1,12) OWNER, SUBSTR(OBJECT_NAME,1,30) OBJECT,
2 SUBSTR(OBJECT_TYPE,1,30) TYPE, STATUS
3 FROM DBA_OBJECTS
4 WHERE STATUS <> 'VALID';

SYS AQ$_AQ_EVENT_TABLE_E QUEUE INVALID
SYS AQ_EVENT_TABLE_Q QUEUE INVALID
SYS CATALOG_TYP TYPE INVALID
SYS CATALOG_TYP TYPE BODY INVALID
SYS CATINDEXMETHODS TYPE INVALID
SYS DBA_LOGSTDBY_PROGRESS VIEW INVALID
SYS DBMS_INTERNAL_LOGSTDBY PACKAGE BODY INVALID
SYS DBMS_LOGSTDBY PACKAGE BODY INVALID
SYS RULEINDEXMETHODS TYPE INVALID
SYS TEXTOPTSTATS TYPE INVALID
QS_ADM QS_APPLICATIONS PACKAGE BODY INVALID
11 rows selected.

SQL> SELECT * FROM NLS_DATABASE_PARAMETERS WHERE PARAMETER='NLS_NCHAR_CHARACTERSET';

NLS_NCHAR_CHARACTERSET AL16UTF16

Despite all the errors, the ERP Application was running fine. I had to fix the invalid database components and the AQ invalid objects. I immediately raised Priority Service Request (7020306.994) with Oracle Support for each of the invalid components.

The invalid objects were of 2 types:

  1. INVALID AQ objects
    Support first suggested dropping the AQ objects, as we don’t use them. Later, I suggested the Support to fix the object rather than deleting them (Spin off SR: 19434118.6). Then, I was told that we have a metadata corruption. To resolve the invalid AQ objects, I referred Metalink Note: 203225.1 (To Manually Cleanup Advanced Queuing Tables)
  2. INVALID Log Miner related objects
    To resolve the invalid objects pertaining to Log Miner, I was re-directed to Metalink Note: 309814.1 (Invalid SYS.DBMS_INTERNAL_LOGSTDBY Package Before or After Migrate)

SQL> select substr(comp_id,1,12) comp_id, status, substr(version,1,10) version,
2 substr(comp_name,1,40) comp_name from dba_registry order by 1;

COMP_ID STATUS VERSION COMP_NAME
------------ ----------- ---------- ----------------------------------------
AMD OPTION OFF 9.0.1.0.0 OLAP Catalog
CATALOG VALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle9i Catalog Views
CATJAVA VALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle9i Java Packages
CATPROC VALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle9i Packages and Types
CONTEXT VALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle Text
JAVAVM VALID 9.2.0.8.0 JServer JAVA Virtual Machine
ORDIM VALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle interMedia
OWM VALID 9.2.0.1.0 Oracle Workspace Manager
RAC INVALID 9.2.0.8.0 Oracle9i Real Application Clusters
SDO VALID 9.2.0.8.0 Spatial
WK LOADED 9.0.1.0.0 Ultrasearch
XML VALID 9.2.0.10.0 Oracle XDK for Java

12 rows selected.

To upgrade the Ultrasearch manually, the following steps were suggested by Oracle Support:

The simplest method to make Ultra Search VALID is to manually reinstall it.

Step1: Deinstall Ultra Search.Note 177203.1 How to Manually Install and Uninstall Ultra Search 9.0.1 Server Components.

Follow, "MANUAL DEINSTALLATION OF ULTRA SEARCH DATABASE OBJECTS" from the above Doc,Step2:

Install Ultra Search.Note 222517.1 How to Manually Install and Uninstall Ultra Search 9.2.0.x Server Components

Follow, "MANUAL INSTALL STEPS" from the above Doc.

Now check for the status and WKSYS invalid objects.select comp_id, comp_name, status, version from dba_registry;select object_name, object_type from dba_objects where status='INVALID' and owner='WKSYS';


To resolve the Invalid RAC component issue, the Oracle support redirected me to Metalink Note 312071.1 (RAC Option Invalid after Migration). Here, we didn’t have to do anything but leave it as it is. Why? You can refer the below RCA and Solution from the Metalink Note 312071.1:

Previous versions (8.1.7/9.0.1) didn’t use a registry for components.

During migration to 9.2 or 10g the registry (DBA_REGISTRY) was created with information from database.

For RAC, the entry in the registry is created if view V$PING exists in the database at migration time.

Unfortunately this view (V$PING) was created by catparr.sql, a script which could be used although RAC hadn't been installed.

Therefore if V$PING exists during migration to 9.2, 10g or 10gR2, a entry for RAC is created in DBA_REGISTRY. Later, cmpdbmig script checks DBA_REGISTRY and tries to upgrade all components, including RAC.

As really RAC is not installed, the component becomes invalid.

Solution
If you want to eliminate the line from registry you can:- downgrade to 8.1.7- remove view V$PING- upgrade to 9.2, 10g or 10gR2 againBut the best solution is to ignore this line if RAC is not installed in the database.


After resolving all the issues, I was now in a position to pronounce the production database migration from Oracle 9iR1 (9.0.1) to 9iR2 (9.2.0.8) as “Successful”.

SQL> select comp_id, comp_name, status, version from dba_registry;

COMP_ID COMP_NAME STATUS VERSION
------------------------------ --------------------------------------- ----------- ------------
CATALOG Oracle9i Catalog Views VALID 9.2.0.8.0
CATPROC Oracle9i Packages and Types VALID 9.2.0.8.0
JAVAVM JServer JAVA Virtual Machine VALID 9.2.0.8.0
CATJAVA Oracle9i Java Packages VALID 9.2.0.8.0
XML Oracle XDK for Java VALID 9.2.0.10.0
CONTEXT Oracle Text VALID 9.2.0.8.0
RAC Oracle9i Real Application Clusters INVALID 9.2.0.8.0
OWM Oracle Workspace Manager VALID 9.2.0.1.0
ORDIM Oracle interMedia VALID 9.2.0.8.0
SDO Spatial VALID 9.2.0.8.0
AMD OLAP Catalog OPTION OFF 9.0.1.0.0
WK Oracle Ultra Search VALID 9.2.0.8.0

12 rows selected.

SQL> ed
Wrote file afiedt.buf

1* select object_name, object_type from dba_objects where status='INVALID'
SQL> /

no rows selected

Now, I was in a position to pronounce the production database migration from Oracle 9iR1 (9.0.1) to 9iR2 (9.2.0.8) as “Successful”.

It’s been almost more than 10 months now, and we haven’t encountered any ORA-600 [25012] or ORA-600 [12209]. The Systems are running smooth, there are neglibible user performance complaints, and I have more control over the whole ERP Database.

Post upgrade, I was able to successfully implement Oracle RMAN Backup & Recovery. Despite the delay in procurement of new Hardware being (due to the global economic recession), we are now relatively comfortable to migrate the production database from Oracle 9i R2 (9.2.0.8) to either Oracle 10g R2 or Oracle 11g R1.

This is my “Journey from 9.0.1 to 9.2.0.8”. What I’ve learnt from this journey is that for a successful implementation you definitely need technical skills and functional skills, but as in my case, having strong people skills helps you overcome obstacles, by finding workarounds you'll never think of in a routine migration. I sincerely hope that “Journey from 9.0.1 to 9.2.0.8” will be of some use to the Oracle wayfarers, and look forward to sharing more accomplishments in the near future.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Journey from 9.0.1 to 9.2.0.8: Part-III

Within the first few weeks when I had joined the Company, it was brought to my attention that the System Crashes were quite frequent, and that I had to resolve it at the earliest to prevent downtimes having business impact. I had inquired and gathered enough non-technical information regarding the System Crash Issue from the perspective of the Developers, the IT Admins, and few of the users. I also had a glimpse of the Alert.log and found a peculiar error whose frequent occurrence was notable. Then it happened. The users started calling in that their sessions have hung and they were not able to login to open new sessions. Even the developers could not do anything. I had logged in using Toad with my sysdba account and even that session was frozen.

I remember rushing towards the Datacenter and coordinating with the IT Admins, as I did not have any remote access to control the database at my end. To my surprise, it was a pretty casual scenario there. We logged in to the server and I noticed that the CPU utilization was 99%-100%. I tried to connect using the sysdba privileges and was not able to login. Eventually, we decided to restart the server and then the System was back to normal.

I had to do something, where we do not need to restart the server every time and avoid the Crashes from happening. Two questions that were haunting me, and I was desperately seeking answer to them were:

  1. What could have caused the server CPU utilization to shoot up at 99-100%?
  2. Why wasn’t I able to login using my sysdba privileges, despite being part of the ORA_DBA group?
A detailed study of the Alert.log revealed that the instance raised a series of errors “ORA-600 [25012]”, and immediately after that the instance crashed, or the server was restarted. Further investigation revealed that the error was being raised since 2005. And the subsequent occurrences increased gradually. Then a few weeks later another similar incident occurred. This time we could see ORA-600 [12209] and ORA-600 [17281] in the Alert.log and the trace files. I immediately raised a Service Request [6434255.992] with the Oracle Support.

The Oracle Support pointed out that we were hitting a Bug [2622690] and there are many reasons why it could occur, in our cases this time it was because of Call stack and Circumstances Match. And, they could not do anything more as we were running the database on a Desupported version of Oracle. The last supported Release was Oracle 9iR2 [9.2.0.8.0]. Below is the update from Oracle Support on the issue:

You are hitting bug 2622690.

Details:

ORA-600 [12209] can occur when using shared servers (MTS) if the client connection aborts.

In this case the database crashed because PMON had problems cleaning up the Shared server process. There is a fix created on top of 9.0.1.4 for ms windows. The patch should be located under 3183731. However, you must first install patchset 9.0.1.4

The bug is fixed in 10g, but I could find no occurrences for the bug in 9.2.0 either.
Therefore, my recommendation is to install and upgrade to a supported release. Which is 9.2.0.8 or 10g.The bug is fixed in 10g and should not reoccur in 9.2.0.8.

However should it reoccur, we can request a backport.

A new note was created, which can be accessed via Metalink [452099.1].

My Analysis with using all information in hand to my first question was that when the Bug was being hit and the CPU utilization increased up to 99-100%, a dump file was being generated by Oracle until the server was restarted, the size of which would usually vary from 25 MB to 300MB (based on the last 3-4 known cases).

Later, I found out the max_dump_file_size parameter to be set to UNLIMITED. I changed it to 100MB and monitored the effect of the change for the ORA-600 errors encountered. Based on the findings, I further reduced the max_dump_file_size parameter to 10MB. After this change, I would rarely restart the server. I could restart the database via remote access. You can call this a temporary work-around to the ORA-600 being encountered.

With respect to the second question, I suppose the login failure could be because of the increased CPU utilization to 99-100%, and oracle prioritizing the dump file creation, such that oracle probably did not have sufficient resources to allow the establishment of the new connections (be it sys or any other account).

To fix this issue permanently, we had to migrate the database to the latest supported release, i.e. Oracle 10gR2. But due to resource constraints on the server, especially the available Memory (1.5 GB) and to some extent the storage, the only way we could migrate to 10gR2 would be if we could migrate to a new server with optimal configurations. And if we were to fix the issue, we had to at least apply the patch 3183731 over Oracle 9iR1 (9.0.1.4) as suggested by Oracle Support or migrate to Oracle 9iR2 (9.2.0.8) on the same server. Oracle Support recommended moving to Oracle 9iR2 [9.2.0.8].

I prepared a Root Cause Analysis Report on the Incident, and a Management Summary depicting the Average Loss (in terms of Cost) that the company is incurring due to the Downtimes resulting from these incidents. And, build up a case to migrate to Oracle 9iR2 [9.2.0.8].

What I had to do next was, to draft the action plan for the migration from Oracle 9iR1 [9.0.1] to Oracle 9iR2 [9.2.0.8]. And then, carry out a serious of tests to ensure that I tackle all the issues related to migration before hand, especially bearing in mind that we have an OLTP ERP Database, and to ensure that the ORA-600 nightmares don't occur post migration. Parallely, I had to, any how, upgrade the RAM on the server to have a smooth migration as well as to address the performance issues related to resource constraints.

In a nutshell, my Action Plan for the migration/upgrade on the same server was as follows:

  1. Firstly, to install Oracle 9iR2 [9.2.0] base home in a separate location on the database server,
  2. Then, to patch the Oracle 9iR2 [9.2.0] base home with 9.2.0.8 patchset,
  3. Before beginning the upgrade process, to ensure a cold backup of Oracle 9iR1 [9.0.1] Database is taken,
  4. Then, using either DBUA or Manual process, to upgrade the Oracle 9iR1 [9.0.1] database to Oracle 9iR2 [9.2.0.8],
  5. If everything is perfect, then to take a post upgrade cold backup,
  6. If any major issues are encountered during the upgrade process, then to restore the cold backup prior to upgrade and point the database to the old home Oracle 9iR1 [9.0.1].

In the final part to "Journey from 9.0.1 to 9.2.0.8" series, I will update my experience in Oracle 9iR2 [9.2.0.8] production upgrade, and how I tackled the post-upgrade issues.