Category: Grid Infrastructure

Bulk Exadata Patching

After more than 11 year from the launch Oracle Exadata Machine has become popular on many companies across industries, making administrators, developers and final users almost unanimously satisfied about performance and availability.

But also, on Exadata there are cumbersome maintenance activities like patching.

Most of my Exadata customers have acquired 2 non-full RACKs, which makes the patching effort quite reasonable; but recently I started working on a project with multiple full RACKs, with tens of Storage Servers, Compute Nodes and hundreds of Virtual Machines…

A very challenging environment, especially when it came to patching…

Patching all the systems using the standard patchmgr utiliy was not acceptable, therefore I had to replace my standard patching procedure with a new one offering automation and scalability.

At this subject Oracle provides few handy options:

Patching Exadata Infrastructure

  • Storage Server Patching via http/https server: starting with Oracle Exadata System Software release 18.1.0.0.0, it is possible to patch the Storage Servers using an external http server hosting the new software image. The activitiy can be scheduled up to one week before the installation, allowing on each Cell the Management Server (MS) to start downloading and run pre-checks in advance. MS interrupts the software upgrade and generates an alert if the Cell does not comply with all pre-requisites.
  • Unbreakable Linux Network: ULN offers software patches, updates, and fixes for Oracle Linux and Oracle VM. The implementation of a local YUM repository leverages the patch automation of the bare metal OS or dom0/domU.
  • InfiniBand Switch: standard rolling upgrade patching procedure using patchmgr.

Patching Grid Infrastructure & RDBMS

  • GI & RDBMS: those components are patched using the standard Oracle tools common to all platforms, but the entire process has been parallalized using OS tools like dcli commands.

Overview Bulk Exadata Patching

Main Patching Commands

Storage Server – Scheduling Automated Storage Server Update via HTTP/HTTPS

On the Storage Cell set the local Apache location hosting the cell software

[root@efucndb01-a ~]# dcli -l root -g ~/cells cellcli -e 'alter softwareUpdate store=\"http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw\"'
efucncel01-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel02-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel03-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel04-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel05-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel06-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel07-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel08-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel09-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel10-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel11-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel12-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel13-a: Software Update successfully altered.
efucncel14-a: Software Update successfully altered.
[root@efucndb01-a ~]#

Schedule the update

[root@efucndb01-a ~]# dcli -l root -g ~/cells cellcli -e 'alter softwareUpdate time=\"03:20 AM WEDNESDAY\"'
efucncel01-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel02-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel03-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel04-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel05-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel06-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel07-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel08-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel09-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel10-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel11-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel12-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel13-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
efucncel14-a: Software update is scheduled to begin at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00.
[root@efucndb01-a ~]#

Verify the scheduled upgrade

[root@efucndb01-a ~]# dcli -l root -g ~/cells cellcli -e 'list softwareupdate detail'
efucncel01-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel01-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel01-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel01-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel02-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel02-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel02-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel02-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel03-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel03-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel03-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel03-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel04-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel04-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel04-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel04-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel05-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel05-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel05-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel05-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel06-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel06-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel06-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel06-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel07-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel07-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel07-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel07-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel08-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel08-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel08-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel08-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel09-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel09-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel09-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel09-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel10-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel10-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel10-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel10-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel11-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel11-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel11-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel11-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel12-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel12-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel12-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel12-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel13-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel13-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel13-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel13-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel14-a: name: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
efucncel14-a: status: PreReq OK. Ready to update at: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
efucncel14-a: store: http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/cellsw
efucncel14-a: time: 2020-02-05T03:20:00+01:00
[root@efucndb01-a ~]#

Unbreakable Linux Network

dom0 checks

[root@efuconsole dbserver_patch_19.200120]# ./patchmgr -dbnodes ~/dom0 -precheck -yum_repo http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/yum/EngineeredSystems/exadata/dbserver/dom0/19.3.4.0.0/base/x86_64 -target_version 19.3.4.0.0.200130

NOTE patchmgr release: 19.200120 (always check MOS 1553103.1 for the latest release of dbserver.patch.zip)
NOTE
WARNING Do not interrupt the patchmgr session.
WARNING Do not resize the screen. It may disturb the screen layout.
WARNING Do not reboot database nodes during update or rollback.
WARNING Do not open logfiles in write mode and do not try to alter them.

2020-02-06 14:06:17 +0100 :Working: Verify SSH equivalence for the root user to node(s)
2020-02-06 14:06:19 +0100 :SUCCESS: Verify SSH equivalence for the root user to node(s)
2020-02-06 14:06:22 +0100 :Working: Initiate precheck on 8 node(s)
2020-02-06 14:07:36 +0100 :Working: Check free space on node(s)
2020-02-06 14:07:42 +0100 :SUCCESS: Check free space on node(s)
2020-02-06 14:08:07 +0100 :Working: dbnodeupdate.sh running a precheck on node(s).
2020-02-06 14:09:43 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate precheck on node(s).
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :SUCCESS: Completed run of command: ./patchmgr -dbnodes /root/dom0 -precheck -yum_repo http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/yum/EngineeredSystems/exadata/dbserver/dom0/19.3.4.0.0/base/x86_64 -target_version 19.3.4.0.0.200130
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : Precheck attempted on nodes in file /root/dom0: [efucndb01-a efucndb02-a efucndb03-a efucndb04-a efucndb05-a efucndb06-a efucndb07-a efucndb08-a]
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : Current image version on dbnode(s) is:
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : efucndb01-a: 19.2.6.0.0.190911.1
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : efucndb02-a: 19.2.6.0.0.190911.1
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : efucndb03-a: 19.2.6.0.0.190911.1
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : efucndb04-a: 19.2.6.0.0.190911.1
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : efucndb05-a: 19.2.6.0.0.190911.1
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : efucndb06-a: 19.2.6.0.0.190911.1
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : efucndb07-a: 19.2.6.0.0.190911.1
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : efucndb08-a: 19.2.6.0.0.190911.1
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : For details, check the following files in /EXAVMIMAGES/Patch/patchmgr_DBSERVER/dbserver_patch_19.200120:
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : - _dbnodeupdate.log
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : - patchmgr.log
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : - patchmgr.trc
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : Exit status:0
2020-02-06 14:09:45 +0100 :INFO : Exiting.
[root@efucndb01-a dbserver_patch_19.200120]#

dom0 upgrade

[root@efuconsole dbserver_patch_19.200120]# ./patchmgr -dbnodes ~/dom0 -upgrade -yum_repo http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/yum/EngineeredSystems/exadata/dbserver/dom0/19.3.4.0.0/base/x86_64 -target_version 19.3.4.0.0.200130

NOTE patchmgr release: 19.200120 (always check MOS 1553103.1 for the latest release of dbserver.patch.zip)
NOTE
NOTE Database nodes will reboot during the update process.
NOTE
WARNING Do not interrupt the patchmgr session.
WARNING Do not resize the screen. It may disturb the screen layout.
WARNING Do not reboot database nodes during update or rollback.
WARNING Do not open logfiles in write mode and do not try to alter them.

2020-02-06 14:29:11 +0100 :Working: Verify SSH equivalence for the root user to node(s)
2020-02-06 14:29:13 +0100 :SUCCESS: Verify SSH equivalence for the root user to node(s)
2020-02-06 14:29:15 +0100 :Working: Initiate prepare steps on node(s).
2020-02-06 14:29:17 +0100 :Working: Check free space on node(s)
2020-02-06 14:29:23 +0100 :SUCCESS: Check free space on node(s)
2020-02-06 14:29:59 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate prepare steps on node(s).
2020-02-06 14:29:59 +0100 :Working: Initiate update on 8 node(s).
2020-02-06 14:29:59 +0100 :Working: dbnodeupdate.sh running a backup on 8 node(s).
2020-02-06 14:36:16 +0100 :SUCCESS: dbnodeupdate.sh running a backup on 8 node(s).
2020-02-06 14:36:16 +0100 :Working: Initiate update on node(s)
2020-02-06 14:36:16 +0100 :Working: Get information about any required OS upgrades from node(s).
2020-02-06 14:36:28 +0100 :SUCCESS: Get information about any required OS upgrades from node(s).
2020-02-06 14:36:28 +0100 :Working: dbnodeupdate.sh running an update step on all nodes.
2020-02-06 14:56:38 +0100 :INFO : efucndb01-a is ready to reboot.
2020-02-06 14:56:38 +0100 :INFO : efucndb02-a is ready to reboot.
2020-02-06 14:56:38 +0100 :INFO : efucndb03-a is ready to reboot.
2020-02-06 14:56:38 +0100 :INFO : efucndb04-a is ready to reboot.
2020-02-06 14:56:38 +0100 :INFO : efucndb05-a is ready to reboot.
2020-02-06 14:56:38 +0100 :INFO : efucndb06-a is ready to reboot.
2020-02-06 14:56:38 +0100 :INFO : efucndb07-a is ready to reboot.
2020-02-06 14:56:38 +0100 :INFO : efucndb08-a is ready to reboot.
2020-02-06 14:56:39 +0100 :SUCCESS: dbnodeupdate.sh running an update step on all nodes.
2020-02-06 14:56:51 +0100 :Working: Initiate reboot on node(s)
2020-02-06 14:56:55 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate reboot on node(s)
2020-02-06 14:56:55 +0100 :Working: Waiting to ensure node(s) is down before reboot.
2020-02-06 14:58:20 +0100 :SUCCESS: Waiting to ensure node(s) is down before reboot.
2020-02-06 14:58:20 +0100 :Working: Waiting to ensure node(s) is up after reboot.
2020-02-06 15:04:23 +0100 :SUCCESS: Waiting to ensure node(s) is up after reboot.
2020-02-06 15:04:23 +0100 :Working: Waiting to connect to node(s) with SSH. During Linux upgrades this can take some time.
2020-02-06 15:27:46 +0100 :SUCCESS: Waiting to connect to node(s) with SSH. During Linux upgrades this can take some time.
2020-02-06 15:27:46 +0100 :Working: Wait for node(s) is ready for the completion step of update.
2020-02-06 15:31:29 +0100 :SUCCESS: Wait for node(s) is ready for the completion step of update.
2020-02-06 15:31:30 +0100 :Working: Initiate completion step from dbnodeupdate.sh on node(s)
2020-02-06 15:48:10 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate completion step from dbnodeupdate.sh on efucndb01-a
2020-02-06 15:48:14 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate completion step from dbnodeupdate.sh on efucndb02-a
2020-02-06 15:48:19 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate completion step from dbnodeupdate.sh on efucndb03-a
2020-02-06 15:48:30 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate completion step from dbnodeupdate.sh on efucndb04-a
2020-02-06 15:48:35 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate completion step from dbnodeupdate.sh on efucndb05-a
2020-02-06 15:48:46 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate completion step from dbnodeupdate.sh on efucndb06-a
2020-02-06 15:48:50 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate completion step from dbnodeupdate.sh on efucndb07-a
2020-02-06 15:49:02 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate completion step from dbnodeupdate.sh on efucndb08-a
2020-02-06 15:49:18 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate update on node(s).
2020-02-06 15:49:18 +0100 :SUCCESS: Initiate update on 0 node(s).
[INFO ] Collected dbnodeupdate diag in file: Diag_patchmgr_dbnode_upgrade_060220142909.tbz
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 6381043 Feb 6 15:49 Diag_patchmgr_dbnode_upgrade_060220142909.tbz
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :SUCCESS: Completed run of command: ./patchmgr -dbnodes /root/dom0 -upgrade -yum_repo http://uln-yum.emilianofusaglia.net/yum/EngineeredSystems/exadata/dbserver/dom0/19.3.4.0.0/base/x86_64 -target_version 19.3.4.0.0.200130
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : Upgrade attempted on nodes in file /root/dom0: [efucndb01-a efucndb02-a efucndb03-a efucndb04-a efucndb05-a efucndb06-a efucndb07-a efucndb08-a]
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : Current image version on dbnode(s) is:
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : efucndb01-a: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : efucndb02-a: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : efucndb03-a: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : efucndb04-a: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : efucndb05-a: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : efucndb06-a: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : efucndb07-a: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : efucndb08-a: 19.3.4.0.0.200130
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : For details, check the following files in /EXAVMIMAGES/Patch/patchmgr_DBSERVER/dbserver_patch_19.200120:
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : - _dbnodeupdate.log
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : - patchmgr.log
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : - patchmgr.trc
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : Exit status:0
2020-02-06 15:49:22 +0100 :INFO : Exiting.

InfiniBand Switch

IB switch checks

[root@efucndb01-a patch_switch_19.3.4.0.0.200130]# ./patchmgr -ibswitches ~/ibs -upgrade -ibswitch_precheck
2020-02-10 07:57:44 +0100 :Working: Verify SSH equivalence for the root user to node(s)
2020-02-10 07:57:46 +0100 :SUCCESS: Verify SSH equivalence for the root user to node(s)
2020-02-10 07:57:47 +0100 1 of 1 :Working: Initiate pre-upgrade validation check on InfiniBand switch(es).
----- InfiniBand switch update process started 2020-02-10 07:57:48 +0100 -----
[NOTE ] Log file at /EXAVMIMAGES/Patch/IBs_19.3.4.0.0/patch_switch_19.3.4.0.0.200130/upgradeIBSwitch.log
[INFO ] List of InfiniBand switches for upgrade: ( efucnsw-iba01-a efucnsw-ibb01-a )
[SUCCESS ] Verifying Network connectivity to efucnsw-iba01-a
[SUCCESS ] Verifying Network connectivity to efucnsw-ibb01-a
[SUCCESS ] Validating verify-topology output
[INFO ] Master Subnet Manager is set to "efucnsw-iba01-a" in all Switches
[INFO ] ---------- Starting with InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-iba01-a
[WARNING ] Infiniband switch meets minimal version requirements, but downgrade is only available to 2.2.13-2 with the current package.
To downgrade to other versions:
Manually download the InfiniBand switch firmware package to the patch directory
Set export variable "EXADATA_IMAGE_IBSWITCH_DOWNGRADE_VERSION" to the appropriate version
Run patchmgr command to initiate downgrade.
[SUCCESS ] Verify SSH access to the patchmgr host efucndb01-a.emilianofusaglia.net from the InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-iba01-a.
[INFO ] Starting pre-update validation on efucnsw-iba01-a
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that /tmp has 150M in efucnsw-iba01-a, found 492M
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that / has 20M in efucnsw-iba01-a, found 28M
[SUCCESS ] NTP daemon is running on efucnsw-iba01-a.
[INFO ] Manually validate the following entries Date:(YYYY-aM-DD) 2020-02-10 Time:(HH:MM:SS) 07:58:05
[INFO ] Validating the current firmware on the InfiniBand Switch
[SUCCESS ] Firmware verification on InfiniBand switch efucnsw-iba01-a
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that the patchmgr host efucndb01-a.emilianofusaglia.net is recognized on the InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-iba01-a through getHostByName
[SUCCESS ] Execute plugin check for Patch Check Prereq on efucnsw-iba01-a
[INFO ] Finished pre-update validation on efucnsw-iba01-a
[SUCCESS ] Pre-update validation on efucnsw-iba01-a
[SUCCESS ] Prereq check on efucnsw-iba01-a
[INFO ] ---------- Starting with InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-ibb01-a
[WARNING ] Infiniband switch meets minimal version requirements, but downgrade is only available to 2.2.13-2 with the current package.
To downgrade to other versions:
Manually download the InfiniBand switch firmware package to the patch directory
Set export variable "EXADATA_IMAGE_IBSWITCH_DOWNGRADE_VERSION" to the appropriate version
Run patchmgr command to initiate downgrade.
[SUCCESS ] Verify SSH access to the patchmgr host efucndb01-a.emilianofusaglia.net from the InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-ibb01-a.
[INFO ] Starting pre-update validation on efucnsw-ibb01-a
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that /tmp has 150M in efucnsw-ibb01-a, found 492M
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that / has 20M in efucnsw-ibb01-a, found 28M
[SUCCESS ] NTP daemon is running on efucnsw-ibb01-a.
[INFO ] Manually validate the following entries Date:(YYYY-aM-DD) 2020-02-10 Time:(HH:MM:SS) 07:58:25
[INFO ] Validating the current firmware on the InfiniBand Switch
[SUCCESS ] Firmware verification on InfiniBand switch efucnsw-ibb01-a
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that the patchmgr host efucndb01-a.emilianofusaglia.net is recognized on the InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-ibb01-a through getHostByName
[SUCCESS ] Execute plugin check for Patch Check Prereq on efucnsw-ibb01-a
[INFO ] Finished pre-update validation on efucnsw-ibb01-a
[SUCCESS ] Pre-update validation on efucnsw-ibb01-a
[SUCCESS ] Prereq check on efucnsw-ibb01-a
[SUCCESS ] Overall status
----- InfiniBand switch update process ended 2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 -----
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 1 of 1 :SUCCESS: Initiate pre-upgrade validation check on InfiniBand switch(es).
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 :SUCCESS: Completed run of command: ./patchmgr -ibswitches /root/ibs -upgrade -ibswitch_precheck
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 :INFO : upgrade attempted on nodes in file /root/ibs: [efucnsw-iba01-a efucnsw-ibb01-a]
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 :INFO : For details, check the following files in /EXAVMIMAGES/Patch/IBs_19.3.4.0.0/patch_switch_19.3.4.0.0.200130:
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 :INFO : - upgradeIBSwitch.log
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 :INFO : - upgradeIBSwitch.trc
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 :INFO : - patchmgr.stdout
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 :INFO : - patchmgr.stderr
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 :INFO : - patchmgr.log
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 :INFO : - patchmgr.trc
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 :INFO : Exit status:0
2020-02-10 07:58:42 +0100 :INFO : Exiting.
[root@efucndb01-a patch_switch_19.3.4.0.0.200130]#

IB switch upgrade

[root@efucndb01-a patch_switch_19.3.4.0.0.200130]# ./patchmgr -ibswitches ~/ibs -upgrade
2020-02-10 07:59:22 +0100 :Working: Verify SSH equivalence for the root user to node(s)
2020-02-10 07:59:24 +0100 :SUCCESS: Verify SSH equivalence for the root user to node(s)
2020-02-10 07:59:25 +0100 1 of 1 :Working: Initiate upgrade of InfiniBand switches to 2.2.14-1. Expect up to 40 minutes for each switch
----- InfiniBand switch update process started 2020-02-10 07:59:25 +0100 -----
[NOTE ] Log file at /EXAVMIMAGES/Patch/IBs_19.3.4.0.0/patch_switch_19.3.4.0.0.200130/upgradeIBSwitch.log
[INFO ] List of InfiniBand switches for upgrade: ( efucnsw-iba01-a efucnsw-ibb01-a )
[SUCCESS ] Verifying Network connectivity to efucnsw-iba01-a
[SUCCESS ] Verifying Network connectivity to efucnsw-ibb01-a
[SUCCESS ] Validating verify-topology output
[INFO ] Proceeding with upgrade of InfiniBand switches to version 2.2.14_1
[INFO ] Master Subnet Manager is set to "efucnsw-iba01-a" in all Switches
[INFO ] ---------- Starting with InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-iba01-a
[WARNING ] Infiniband switch meets minimal version requirements, but downgrade is only available to 2.2.13-2 with the current package.
To downgrade to other versions:
Manually download the InfiniBand switch firmware package to the patch directory
Set export variable "EXADATA_IMAGE_IBSWITCH_DOWNGRADE_VERSION" to the appropriate version
Run patchmgr command to initiate downgrade.
[SUCCESS ] Verify SSH access to the patchmgr host efucndb01-a.emilianofusaglia.net from the InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-iba01-a.
[INFO ] Starting pre-update validation on efucnsw-iba01-a
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that /tmp has 150M in efucnsw-iba01-a, found 492M
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that / has 20M in efucnsw-iba01-a, found 26M
[SUCCESS ] Service opensmd is running on InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-iba01-a
[SUCCESS ] NTP daemon is running on efucnsw-iba01-a.
[INFO ] Manually validate the following entries Date:(YYYY-aM-DD) 2020-02-10 Time:(HH:MM:SS) 07:59:41
[INFO ] Validating the current firmware on the InfiniBand Switch
[SUCCESS ] Firmware verification on InfiniBand switch efucnsw-iba01-a
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that the patchmgr host efucndb01-a.emilianofusaglia.net is recognized on the InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-iba01-a through getHostByName
[SUCCESS ] Execute plugin check for Patch Check Prereq on efucnsw-iba01-a
[INFO ] Finished pre-update validation on efucnsw-iba01-a
[SUCCESS ] Pre-update validation on efucnsw-iba01-a
[INFO ] Package will be downloaded at firmware update time via scp
[SUCCESS ] Execute plugin check for Patching on efucnsw-iba01-a
[INFO ] Starting upgrade on efucnsw-iba01-a to 2.2.14_1. Please give upto 15 mins for the process to complete. DO NOT INTERRUPT or HIT CTRL+C during the upgrade
[INFO ] Rebooting efucnsw-iba01-a to complete the firmware update. Wait for 15 minutes before continuing. DO NOT MANUALLY REBOOT THE INFINIBAND SWITCH
Connection to efucndb01-a closed by remote host.
Connection to efucndb01-a closed.
2020-02-10 08:27:49 +0100 :Working: Verify SSH equivalence for the root user to node(s)
2020-02-10 08:27:51 +0100 :SUCCESS: Verify SSH equivalence for the root user to node(s)
2020-02-10 08:27:52 +0100 1 of 1 :Working: Initiate upgrade of InfiniBand switches to 2.2.14-1. Expect up to 40 minutes for each switch
----- InfiniBand switch update process started 2020-02-10 08:27:52 +0100 -----
[NOTE ] Log file at /EXAVMIMAGES/Patch/IBs_19.3.4.0.0/patch_switch_19.3.4.0.0.200130/upgradeIBSwitch.log
[INFO ] List of InfiniBand switches for upgrade: ( efucnsw-iba01-a efucnsw-ibb01-a )
[SUCCESS ] Verifying Network connectivity to efucnsw-iba01-a
[SUCCESS ] Verifying Network connectivity to efucnsw-ibb01-a
[INFO ] InfiniBand switch efucnsw-iba01-a is already at target version.
[SUCCESS ] Validating verify-topology output
[INFO ] Proceeding with upgrade of InfiniBand switches to version 2.2.14_1
[INFO ] Master Subnet Manager is set to "efucnsw-ibb01-a" in all Switches
[INFO ] ---------- Starting with InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-ibb01-a
[WARNING ] Infiniband switch meets minimal version requirements, but downgrade is only available to 2.2.13-2 with the current package.
To downgrade to other versions:
Manually download the InfiniBand switch firmware package to the patch directory
Set export variable "EXADATA_IMAGE_IBSWITCH_DOWNGRADE_VERSION" to the appropriate version
Run patchmgr command to initiate downgrade.
[SUCCESS ] Verify SSH access to the patchmgr host efucndb01-a.emilianofusaglia.net from the InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-ibb01-a.
[INFO ] Starting pre-update validation on efucnsw-ibb01-a
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that /tmp has 150M in efucnsw-ibb01-a, found 492M
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that / has 20M in efucnsw-ibb01-a, found 26M
[SUCCESS ] Service opensmd is running on InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-ibb01-a
[SUCCESS ] NTP daemon is running on efucnsw-ibb01-a.
[INFO ] Manually validate the following entries Date:(YYYY-aM-DD) 2020-02-10 Time:(HH:MM:SS) 08:28:07
[INFO ] Validating the current firmware on the InfiniBand Switch
[SUCCESS ] Firmware verification on InfiniBand switch efucnsw-ibb01-a
[SUCCESS ] Verifying that the patchmgr host efucndb01-a.emilianofusaglia.net is recognized on the InfiniBand Switch efucnsw-ibb01-a through getHostByName
[SUCCESS ] Execute plugin check for Patch Check Prereq on efucnsw-ibb01-a
[INFO ] Finished pre-update validation on efucnsw-ibb01-a
[SUCCESS ] Pre-update validation on efucnsw-ibb01-a
[INFO ] Package will be downloaded at firmware update time via scp
[SUCCESS ] Execute plugin check for Patching on efucnsw-ibb01-a
[INFO ] Starting upgrade on efucnsw-ibb01-a to 2.2.14_1. Please give upto 15 mins for the process to complete. DO NOT INTERRUPT or HIT CTRL+C during the upgrade
[INFO ] Rebooting efucnsw-ibb01-a to complete the firmware update. Wait for 15 minutes before continuing. DO NOT MANUALLY REBOOT THE INFINIBAND SWITCH
Connection to efucndb01-a closed by remote host.
Connection to efucndb01-a closed.

Exadata Deployment with Elastic Configuration

Recently, for one of my customers, I had the chance to install a couples of Exadata X7-2 using the new Elastic Configuration. The major benefits of using Elastic Configuration consists in the possibility to acquire the Exadata Machine with almost any possible combination of Database Nodes and Storage Cells.

In the past we were used to standard Oracle pre-defined Exadata Machine configurations: Eighth Rack, Quarter Rack, Half Rack and Full Rack, which is still possible, but not flexible enough.

The pictures below highlight the differences between the two configurations:

Edadats_Classiv_vs_Elastic

source: Oracle Data Sheet Exadata Database Machine X7-2

 

Deployment Exadata Elactic Configuration

The elastic configuration process automates the initial IP address allocations to databasenodes and storage cells, regardless the ordered configuration.  The Exadata Machine is connected to the InfiniBand switches using a standard cabling methodology which allows to determinate the node’s location in the rack. This information is therefore used when the nodes are powered up for the first time in order to assign the initial default IPs.

[root@exatest-iba0 ~]# ibhosts
Ca : 0x579b0123796ba0 ports 2 "node10 elasticNode 192.168.10.17,192.168.10.18 ETH0"
Ca : 0x579b01237966e0 ports 2 "node8 elasticNode 192.168.10.15,192.168.10.16 ETH0"
Ca : 0x579b0123844ab0 ports 2 "node6 elasticNode 192.168.10.11,192.168.10.12 ETH0"
Ca : 0x579b0123845e50 ports 2 "node5 elasticNode 192.168.10.7,192.168.10.8 ETH0"
Ca : 0x579b0123845fe0 ports 2 "node4 elasticNode 192.168.10.40,172.16.2.40 ETH0"
Ca : 0x579b0123845ea0 ports 2 "node3 elasticNode 192.168.10.9,192.168.10.10 ETH0"
Ca : 0x579b0123812b90 ports 2 "node2 elasticNode 192.168.10.1,192.168.10.2 ETH0"
Ca : 0x579b0123812970 ports 2 "node1 elasticNode 192.168.10.3,192.168.10.4 ETH0"
[root@exatest-iba0 ~]#

 

 

Because the Virtualization option was required,  it has to be activated at this stage:

[root@node8 ~]# /opt/oracle.SupportTools/switch_to_ovm.sh
2019-03-07 01:05:22 -0800 [INFO] Switch to DOM0 system partition /dev/VGExaDb/LVDbSys3 (/dev/mapper/VGExaDb-LVDbSys3)
2019-03-07 01:05:22 -0800 [INFO] Active system device: /dev/mapper/VGExaDb-LVDbSys1
2019-03-07 01:05:22 -0800 [INFO] Active system device in boot area: /dev/mapper/VGExaDb-LVDbSys1
2019-03-07 01:05:23 -0800 [INFO] Set active system device to /dev/VGExaDb/LVDbSys3 in /boot/I_am_hd_boot
2019-03-07 01:05:23 -0800 [INFO] Creating /.elasticConfig on DOM0 boot partition /boot
2019-03-07 01:05:34 -0800 [INFO] Reboot has been initiated to switch to the DOM0 system partition
Connection to 192.168.1.8 closed by remote host.
Connection to 192.168.1.8 closed.
✘

 

After the switch to OVM command it is time to reclaim the space initially used by the Linux bare metal Logical Volumes:

[root@node8 ~]# /opt/oracle.SupportTools/reclaimdisks.sh -free -reclaim
Model is ORACLE SERVER X7-2
Number of LSI controllers: 1
Physical disks found: 4 (252:0 252:1 252:2 252:3)
Logical drives found: 1
Linux logical drive: 0
RAID Level for the Linux logical drive: 5
Physical disks in the Linux logical drive: 4 (252:0 252:1 252:2 252:3)
Dedicated Hot Spares for the Linux logical drive: 0
Global Hot Spares: 0
[INFO ] Check for DOM0 with inactive Linux system disk
[INFO ] Valid DOM0 with inactive Linux system disk is detected
[INFO ] Number of partitions on the system device /dev/sda: 3
[INFO ] Higher partition number on the system device /dev/sda: 3
[INFO ] Last sector on the system device /dev/sda: 3509760000
[INFO ] End sector of the last partition on the system device /dev/sda: 3509759966
[INFO ] Remove inactive system logical volume /dev/VGExaDb/LVDbSys1
[INFO ] Remove logical volume /dev/VGExaDb/LVDbOra1
[INFO ] Extend logical volume /dev/VGExaDb/LVDbExaVMImages
[INFO ] Resize ocfs2 on logical volume /dev/VGExaDb/LVDbExaVMImages
[INFO ] XEN boot version and rpm versions are in sync
[INFO ] XEN EFI files will not be updated
[INFO ] Force setup grub
[root@node8 ~]#

 

Check the success of the reclaim disks procedure:

[root@node8 ~]# /opt/oracle.SupportTools/reclaimdisks.sh -check
Model is ORACLE SERVER X7-2
Number of LSI controllers: 1
Physical disks found: 4 (252:0 252:1 252:2 252:3)
Logical drives found: 1
Linux logical drive: 0
RAID Level for the Linux logical drive: 5
Physical disks in the Linux logical drive: 4 (252:0 252:1 252:2 252:3)
Dedicated Hot Spares for the Linux logical drive: 0
Global Hot Spares: 0
Valid. Disks configuration: RAID5 from 4 disks with no global and dedicated hot spare disks.
Valid. Booted: DOM0. Layout: DOM0.
[root@node8 ~]#

 

Upload the Oracle Exadata Database Machine Deployment Assistant configuration files to the database server, together with all software images, and run the One command procedure.

List of all Steps

[root@exatestdbadm01 linux-x64]# ./install.sh -cf TVD-exatest.xml -l
Initializing

1. Validate Configuration File
2. Update Nodes for Eighth Rack
3. Create Virtual Machine
4. Create Users
5. Setup Cell Connectivity
6. Calibrate Cells
7. Create Cell Disks
8. Create Grid Disks
9. Install Cluster Software
10. Initialize Cluster Software
11. Install Database Software
12. Relink Database with RDS
13. Create ASM Diskgroups
14. Create Databases
15. Apply Security Fixes
16. Install Exachk
17. Create Installation Summary
18. Resecure Machine
[root@exatestdbadm01 linux-x64]#

 

Run Step One to validate the setup

This example includes the creation of three different Clusters.

[root@exatestdbadm01 linux-x64]# ./install.sh -cf TVD-exatest.xml -s 1
Initializing
Executing Validate Configuration File
Validating cluster: Cluster-EFU
Locating machines...
Verifying operating systems...
Validating cluster networks...
Validating network connectivity...
Validating private ips on virtual cluster
Validating NTP setup...
Validating physical disks on storage cells...
Validating users...
Validating cluster: Cluster-PR1
Locating machines...
Verifying operating systems...
Validating cluster networks...
Validating network connectivity...
Validating private ips on virtual cluster
Validating NTP setup...
Validating physical disks on storage cells...
Validating users...
Validating cluster: Cluster-VAL
Locating machines...
Verifying operating systems...
Validating cluster networks...
Validating network connectivity...
Validating private ips on virtual cluster
Validating NTP setup...
Validating physical disks on storage cells...
Validating users...
Validating platinum...
Validating switches...
Checking disk reclaim status...
Checking Disk Tests Status....
Completed validation...

SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.40 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x9.xx.55 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.41 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x9.xx.56 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.45 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.46 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.44 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.43 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.42 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.40 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.55 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.41 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.56 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.45 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.46 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.44 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.43 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.42 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.40 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.55 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.41 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.56 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.45 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.46 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.44 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.43 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.42 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.40 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.55 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.41 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.56 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.45 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.46 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.44 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.43 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.42 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.47 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x9.xx.57 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.48 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x9.xx.58 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.52 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.51 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.53 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.50 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.49 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.47 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.57 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.48 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.58 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.52 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.51 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.53 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.50 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.49 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.47 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.57 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.48 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.58 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.52 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.51 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.53 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.50 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.49 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.47 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.57 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.48 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.58 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.52 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.51 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.53 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.50 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.49 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.54 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x9.xx.59 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.55 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x9.xx.60 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.58 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.60 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.59 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.57 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: Ip address: 10.x8.xx.56 is configured correctly
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.54 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.59 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.55 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.60 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.58 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.60 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.59 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.57 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.56 configured correctly on exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.54 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.59 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.55 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.60 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.58 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.60 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.59 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.57 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.56 configured correctly on exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.54 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.59 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.55 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x9.xx.60 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.58 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.60 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.59 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.57 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: 10.x8.xx.56 configured correctly on exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: Validated NTP server 10.x3.xx.xx0
SUCCESS: Validated NTP server 10.x3.xx.xx1
SUCCESS: Required file /EXAVMIMAGES/onecommand/linux-x64/WorkDir/p28514222_122118_Linux-x86-64.zip exists...
SUCCESS: Required file /EXAVMIMAGES/onecommand/linux-x64/WorkDir/p28762988_12201181016GIOCT2018RU_Linux-x86-64.zip exists...
SUCCESS: Required file /EXAVMIMAGES/onecommand/linux-x64/WorkDir/p28762989_12201181016DBOCT2018RU_Linux-x86-64.zip exists...
SUCCESS: Required file config/exachk.zip exists...
SUCCESS: Found Operating system LinuxPhysical and configuration file expects LinuxPhysical on machine exatestceladm03.my.domain.com, machine type: storage
SUCCESS: Found Operating system LinuxPhysical and configuration file expects LinuxPhysical on machine exatestceladm02.my.domain.com, machine type: storage
SUCCESS: Found Operating system LinuxPhysical and configuration file expects LinuxPhysical on machine exatestceladm01.my.domain.com, machine type: storage
SUCCESS: Expected machine exatestdbadm01.my.domain.com to have OS Type of Linux Dom0, and found OsType LinuxDom0
SUCCESS: Expected machine exatestdbadm02.my.domain.com to have OS Type of Linux Dom0, and found OsType LinuxDom0
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestceladm02.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestceladm01.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestceladm03.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestdbadm01.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestdbadm02.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: Sufficient memory for all the guests on database node exatestdbadm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: Sufficient memory for all the guests on database node exatestdbadm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: Expected machine exatestdbadm02.my.domain.com to have OS Type of Linux Dom0, and found OsType LinuxDom0
SUCCESS: Found Operating system LinuxPhysical and configuration file expects LinuxPhysical on machine exatestceladm01.my.domain.com, machine type: storage
SUCCESS: Found Operating system LinuxPhysical and configuration file expects LinuxPhysical on machine exatestceladm02.my.domain.com, machine type: storage
SUCCESS: Expected machine exatestdbadm01.my.domain.com to have OS Type of Linux Dom0, and found OsType LinuxDom0
SUCCESS: Found Operating system LinuxPhysical and configuration file expects LinuxPhysical on machine exatestceladm03.my.domain.com, machine type: storage
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestceladm03.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestceladm01.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestceladm02.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestdbadm02.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestdbadm01.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: Sufficient memory for all the guests on database node exatestdbadm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: Sufficient memory for all the guests on database node exatestdbadm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: Found Operating system LinuxPhysical and configuration file expects LinuxPhysical on machine exatestceladm03.my.domain.com, machine type: storage
SUCCESS: Found Operating system LinuxPhysical and configuration file expects LinuxPhysical on machine exatestceladm02.my.domain.com, machine type: storage
SUCCESS: Found Operating system LinuxPhysical and configuration file expects LinuxPhysical on machine exatestceladm01.my.domain.com, machine type: storage
SUCCESS: Expected machine exatestdbadm02.my.domain.com to have OS Type of Linux Dom0, and found OsType LinuxDom0
SUCCESS: Expected machine exatestdbadm01.my.domain.com to have OS Type of Linux Dom0, and found OsType LinuxDom0
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestceladm03.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestceladm02.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestceladm01.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestdbadm01.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: NTP servers on machine exatestdbadm02.my.domain.com verified successfully
SUCCESS: Sufficient memory for all the guests on database node exatestdbadm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: Sufficient memory for all the guests on database node exatestdbadm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: Switch IP 10.x9.xx.51 resolves successfully to host exatest-iba0.my.domain.com on node exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS:
SUCCESS: Switch IP 10.x9.xx.51 resolves successfully to host exatest-iba0.my.domain.com on node exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: Switch IP 10.x9.xx.52 resolves successfully to host exatest-ibb0.my.domain.com on node exatestceladm03.my.domain.com
SUCCESS:
SUCCESS:
SUCCESS:
SUCCESS: Switch IP 10.x9.xx.52 resolves successfully to host exatest-ibb0.my.domain.com on node exatestceladm02.my.domain.com
SUCCESS:
SUCCESS: Switch IP 10.x9.xx.51 resolves successfully to host exatest-iba0.my.domain.com on node exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS: Switch IP 10.x9.xx.52 resolves successfully to host exatest-ibb0.my.domain.com on node exatestceladm01.my.domain.com
SUCCESS:
SUCCESS: X7 compute node exatestdbadm01.my.domain.com has updated Broadcom firmware
SUCCESS: X7 compute node exatestdbadm02.my.domain.com has updated Broadcom firmware
SUCCESS: Disk Tests are not running/active on any of the Storage Servers.
SUCCESS: Cluster Version 12.2.0.1.181016 is compatible with OL7 on exatestdbadm01
SUCCESS: Cluster Version 12.2.0.1.181016 is compatible with OL7 on exatestdbadm02
SUCCESS: Cluster Version 12.2.0.1.181016 is compatible with OL7 on exatestdbadm01
SUCCESS: Cluster Version 12.2.0.1.181016 is compatible with OL7 on exatestdbadm02
SUCCESS: Cluster Version 12.2.0.1.181016 is compatible with OL7 on exatestdbadm01
SUCCESS: Cluster Version 12.2.0.1.181016 is compatible with OL7 on exatestdbadm02
SUCCESS: Disk size 10000GB on cell exatestceladm01.my.domain.com matches the value specified in the OEDA configuration file
SUCCESS: Disk size 10000GB on cell exatestceladm02.my.domain.com matches the value specified in the OEDA configuration file
SUCCESS: Disk size 10000GB on cell exatestceladm03.my.domain.com matches the value specified in the OEDA configuration file
SUCCESS: Disk size 10000GB on cell exatestceladm04.my.domain.com matches the value specified in the OEDA configuration file
SUCCESS: Disk size 10000GB on cell exatestceladm05.my.domain.com matches the value specified in the OEDA configuration file
SUCCESS: Disk size 10000GB on cell exatestceladm06.my.domain.com matches the value specified in the OEDA configuration file
Successfully completed execution of step Validate Configuration File [elapsed Time [Elapsed = 250301 mS [4.0 minutes] Thu Mar 07 12:35:31 CET 2019]]
[root@exatestdbadm01 linux-x64]#

 

 

Execution of all remaining steps

Than, because we felt confident, we decide to invoke all remaining steps together:

root@exatestdbadm01 linux-x64]# ./install.sh -cf TVD-exatest.xml -r 1-18
...
..

 

The final result is the Exadata Machine installed with six Oracle VMs, and three Grid Infrastructure clusters each one running a test RAC database.

 

 

Grid Management DB filling up ASM disk space

Recently I discovered on Oracle Grid Infrastructure 12cR2 that the ASM disk group hosting the Management DB (-MGMTDB) was filling up the disk space very quickly.

This is due to a bug on the oclumon data purge procedure.

To fix the problem, two possibilities are available:

  1. Recreate the Management DB
  2. Manually truncate the tables not purged and shrinking the Tablespace Size

 

Below are described the two options.

 

Option 1 – Recreate the Management DB

As root user on each cluster node:

# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/crsctl stop res ora.crf -init
# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/crsctl modify res ora.crf -attr ENABLED=0 -init

 

As Grid from the local node hosting the Management Database Instance run the commands:

$ /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl status mgmtdb
$ /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/dbca -silent -deleteDatabase -sourceDB -MGMTDB
Connecting to database
4% complete
9% complete
14% complete
19% complete
23% complete
28% complete
47% complete
Updating network configuration files
48% complete
52% complete
Deleting instance and datafiles
76% complete
100% complete

 

How to recreate the MGMTDB:

$ /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/dbca -silent -createDatabase -createAsContainerDatabase true -templateName MGMTSeed_Database.dbc
-sid -MGMTDB
-gdbName _mgmtdb
-storageType ASM
-diskGroupName GIMR
-datafileJarLocation <GI HOME>/assistants/dbca/templates
-characterset AL32UTF8
-autoGeneratePassword           
-skipUserTemplateCheck

 

Create the pluggable GIMR database

$ /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/mgmtca -local

 

 

Option 2 – Manually truncate the tables

 

As root user stop and disable ora.crf resource on each cluster node:

# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/crsctl stop res ora.crf -init
# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/crsctl modify res ora.crf -attr ENABLED=0 -init

 

Connect to MGMTDB and identify the segments to truncate:

export ORACLE_SID=-MGMTDB
$ORACLE_HOME/bin/sqlplus / as sysdba
SQL> select pdb_name from dba_pdbs where pdb_name!='PDB$SEED';

SQL> alter session set container=GIMR_DSCREP_10;

Session altered.

SQL> col obj format a50
SQL> select owner||'.'||SEGMENT_NAME obj, BYTES from dba_segments where owner='CHM' order by 2 asc;

 

Likely those two tables are much bigger than the rest :

  • CHM.CHMOS_PROCESS_INT_TBL
  • CHM.CHMOS_DEVICE_INT_TBL

Truncate the tables:

SQL> truncate table CHM.CHMOS_PROCESS_INT_TBL;
SQL> truncate table CHM.CHMOS_DEVICE_INT_TBL;

 

Then if needed shrink the tablespace and job done!

 

 

Exadata Storage Snapshots

This post describes how to implement Oracle Database Snapshot Technology on Exadata Machine.

Because Exadata Storage Cell Smart Features, Storage Indexes, IORM and Network Resource Manager work at level of ASM Volume Manager only, (and they don’t work on top of ACFS Cluster File System), the implementation of the snapshot technology is different compared to any other non-Exadata environment.

At this purpuse Oracle has developed a new type of ASM Disk Group called SPARSE Disk Group. It uses ASM SPARSE Grid Disk based on Thin Provisioning to save the database snapshot copies and the associated metadata, and it supports non-CDB and PDB snapshot copy.

The implementation requires the following minimal software versions :

  • Exadata Storage Software version 12.1.2.1.0.
  • Oracle Database version 12.1.0.2 with bundle patch 5.
One major restriction applies to Exadata Storage Sanpshot compared to ACFS;
the source database must be a shared copy open on read only and called Test Master. The Test Master Database can not be modified or deleted as long the latest child snapshot is in use.
This restriction exists because Exadata Snapshot technology uses “allocate on first write”, and not “copy on write” (like for ACFS), and the snapshot is per-database-datafile.
When a child snapshot issue a write, the write goes to a private copy of that block inside the snapshot, preserving the original block value which can be accessed by other child snapshots of the same Test Master.

How to Implement Exadata Storage Snapshots in a PDB Environment

Check the celldisks for available free space to allocate to a new SPARSE Disk Group

[root@strgceladm01 ~]# cellcli -e list celldisk attributes name,freespace
 CD_00_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 CD_01_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 CD_02_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 CD_03_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 CD_04_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 CD_05_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 CD_06_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 CD_07_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 CD_08_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 CD_09_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 CD_10_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 CD_11_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 FD_00_strgceladm01 0
 FD_01_strgceladm01 0
 FD_02_strgceladm01 0
 FD_03_strgceladm01 0
[root@strgceladm01 ~]#


[root@strgceladm02 ~]# cellcli -e list celldisk attributes name,freespace
 CD_00_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 CD_01_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 CD_02_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 CD_03_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 CD_04_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 CD_05_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 CD_06_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 CD_07_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 CD_08_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 CD_09_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 CD_10_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 CD_11_strgceladm02 853.34375G
 FD_00_strgceladm02 0
 FD_01_strgceladm02 0
 FD_02_strgceladm02 0
 FD_03_strgceladm02 0
[root@strgceladm02 ~]#


[root@strgceladm03 ~]# cellcli -e list celldisk attributes name,freespace
 CD_00_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 CD_01_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 CD_02_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 CD_03_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 CD_04_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 CD_05_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 CD_06_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 CD_07_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 CD_08_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 CD_09_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 CD_10_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 CD_11_strgceladm03 853.34375G
 FD_00_strgceladm03 0
 FD_01_strgceladm03 0
 FD_02_strgceladm03 0
 FD_03_strgceladm03 0
[root@strgceladm03 ~]#

For each Storage Cell Create a SPARSE Grid Disks as described below

[root@strgceladm01 ~]# cellcli -e CREATE GRIDDISK ALL PREFIX=SPARSE, sparse=true, SIZE=853.34375G
Cell disks were skipped because they had no freespace for grid disks: FD_00_strgceladm01, FD_01_strgceladm01, FD_02_strgceladm01, FD_03_strgceladm01.
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_00_strgceladm01 successfully created
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_01_strgceladm01 successfully created
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_02_strgceladm01 successfully created
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_03_strgceladm01 successfully created
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_04_strgceladm01 successfully created
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_05_strgceladm01 successfully created
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_06_strgceladm01 successfully created
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_07_strgceladm01 successfully created
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_08_strgceladm01 successfully created
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_09_strgceladm01 successfully created
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_10_strgceladm01 successfully created
GridDisk SPARSE_CD_11_strgceladm01 successfully created
[root@strgceladm01 ~]#

For each Storage Cell List all Grid Disks

[root@strgceladm01 ~]# cellcli -e list griddisk attributes name,size
 DATAC1_CD_00_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 DATAC1_CD_01_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 DATAC1_CD_02_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 DATAC1_CD_03_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 DATAC1_CD_04_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 DATAC1_CD_05_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 DATAC1_CD_06_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 DATAC1_CD_07_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 DATAC1_CD_08_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 DATAC1_CD_09_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 DATAC1_CD_10_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 DATAC1_CD_11_strgceladm01 6.294586181640625T
 FGRID_FD_00_strgceladm01 2.0717315673828125T
 FGRID_FD_01_strgceladm01 2.0717315673828125T
 FGRID_FD_02_strgceladm01 2.0717315673828125T
 FGRID_FD_03_strgceladm01 2.0717315673828125T
 RECOC1_CD_00_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 RECOC1_CD_01_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 RECOC1_CD_02_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 RECOC1_CD_03_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 RECOC1_CD_04_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 RECOC1_CD_05_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 RECOC1_CD_06_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 RECOC1_CD_07_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 RECOC1_CD_08_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 RECOC1_CD_09_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 RECOC1_CD_10_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 RECOC1_CD_11_strgceladm01 1.78143310546875T
 SPARSE_CD_00_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 SPARSE_CD_01_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 SPARSE_CD_02_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 SPARSE_CD_03_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 SPARSE_CD_04_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 SPARSE_CD_05_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 SPARSE_CD_06_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 SPARSE_CD_07_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 SPARSE_CD_08_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 SPARSE_CD_09_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 SPARSE_CD_10_strgceladm01 853.34375G
 SPARSE_CD_11_strgceladm01 853.34375G
[root@strgceladm01 ~]#

From ASM Instance Create a SPARSE Disk Group

SQL> CREATE DISKGROUP SPARSEC1 EXTERNAL REDUNDANCY DISK 'o/*/SPARSE_CD_*'
ATTRIBUTE
'compatible.asm' = '12.2.0.1',
'compatible.rdbms' = '12.2.0.1',
'cell.smart_scan_capable'='TRUE',
'cell.sparse_dg' = 'allsparse',
'AU_SIZE' = '4M';

Diskgroup created.

Set the following ASM attributes on the Disk Group hosting the Test Master Database

ALTER DISKGROUP DATAC1 SET ATTRIBUTE 'access_control.enabled' = 'true';

Grant access to the OS RDBMS user used to access to the Disk Group

ALTER DISKGROUP DATAC1 ADD USER 'oracle';

From an ASM Instance Set ownership permissions for every file that belongs solely to the PDB being snapped cloned as per example below

alter diskgroup DATAC1 set ownership owner='oracle' for file '+DATAC1/CDBT/<xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>/DATAFILE/system.xxx.xxxxxxx';
alter diskgroup DATAC1 set ownership owner='oracle' for file '+DATAC1/CDBT/<xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>/DATAFILE/sysaux.xxx.xxxxxxx';
alter diskgroup DATAC1 set ownership owner='oracle' for file '+DATAC1/CDBT/<xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>/DATAFILE/users.xxx.xxxxxxx';
...
..

Restart the Master Test PDB in Read Only

alter pluggable database PDBTESTMASTER close immediate instances=all;
alter pluggable database PDBTESTMASTER open read only;

Create the first PDB Snapshot Copy on Exadata SPARSE Disk Group

Create pluggable database PDBDEV01 from PDBTESTMASTER tempfile reuse create_file_dest='+SPARSEC1' snapshot copy;

Feedback of the Exadata Storage Snapshots

The ability to create storage efficient database copies in a few seconds, independently from the size of the Test Master is very useful for today IT departments; but such extreme velocity and flexibility is not entirely free. In fact performance tests on a I/O bound workload have highlighted important performance degradation. This reminds us that as defined by Oracle Corporation, the Snapshot Technology, included on Exadata Machine remains a non-production option.

Feedback of Modern Consolidated Database Environment

 

Since the launch of Oracle 12c R1 Beta Program (August 2012) at Trivadis, we have been intensively testing, engineering and implementing Multitenant architectures for our customers.

Today, we can provide our feedbacks and those of our customers!

The overall feedback related to Oracle Multitenant is very positive, customers have been able to increase flexibility and automation, improving the efficiency of the software development life cycles.

Even the Single-tenant configuration (free of charge) brings few advantages compared to the non-CDB architecture. Therefore, from a technology point of view I recommend adopting the Container Database (CDB) architecture for all Oracle databases.

 

Examples of Multitenant architectures implemented

Having defined Oracle Multitenant a technological revolution on the space of relational databases, when combined with others 12c features it becomes a game changer for flexibility, automation and velocity.

Here are listed few examples of successful architectures implemented with our customers, using Oracle Container Database (CDB):

 

  • Database consolidation without performance and stability compromise here.

 

  • Multitenant and DevOps here.

 

  • Operating Database Disaster Recovery in Multitenant environment here.

 

 

 

RHEL 7.4 fails to mount ACFS File System due to KMOD package

After a fresh OS installation or an upgrade to RHEL 7.4, any attempt to install ACFS drivers will fail with the following message: “ACFS-9459 ADVM/ACFS is not supported on this OS version”

The error persists even if the Oracle Grid Infrastructure software includes the  Patch 26247490: 12.2 ACFS MODULE ERRORS & CRASH DURING MODULE LOAD & UNLOAD WITH OL7U4 RHCK.

 

This problem has been identified by Oracle with  BUG 26320387 – 7.4 kmod weak-modules not checking kABI compatibility correctly

And by Red Hat  Bugzilla bug:  1477073 – 7.4 kmod weak-modules –dry-run changed output format missing ‘is compatible’ messages.

root@oel7node06:/u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/crs/install# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/acfsroot install
ACFS-9459: ADVM/ACFS is not supported on this OS version: '3.10.0-514.6.1.el7.x86_64'

root@oel7node06:~# /sbin/lsmod | grep oracle
oracleadvm 776830 7
oracleoks 654476 1 oracleadvm
oracleafd 205543 1

 

The current Workaround consists in downgrade the version of the kmod  RPM to  kmod-20-9.el7.x86_64.

root@oel7node06:~# yum downgrade kmod-20-9.el7

 

After the package downgrade the ACFS drivers are correcly loaded:

root@oel7node06:~# /sbin/lsmod | grep oracle
oracleacfs 4597925 2
oracleadvm 776830 8
oracleoks 654476 2 oracleacfs,oracleadvm
oracleafd 205543 1

 

 

 

 

Adding Pluggable Databases to an existing Multitenant Data Guard environment

We all know the benefits of the Oracle Multitenant cosolidation “Many-as-One”, one container (CDB) operation for wich many Pluggable Databases (PDBs) can take benefit; for example one CDB backup protects all PDBs stored inside the container itself.

While among the DBAs the setup of Oracle Data Guard is become more than a standandard routine,  described in thousands of Internet pages and blogs (one example available here), this post explains how to add new Pluggable Databases (PDBs) to an existing Multitenant environment protected by Data Guard.

 

How to create PDBs in Oracle Multitenant environment protected by Data Guard

There are multiple scenarios of PDB creation and they differently integrate within the Data Guard architecture. The easiest way to proceed consists in creating a new Pluggable Database using the SEED PDB:

  • PDB creation from SEED
    The creation of a brand new empty pluggable database is automatically replicated to each physical standby database. No additional action is required.

 

Unfortunately, this option is not always applicable because the new PDB should be a clone of an existing one. Therefore, it is important for the DBA to understand how integrating new non-empty Pluggable Database on a Multitenant and Data Guard environment without impacting the pre-existing setup.

 

  • PDB clone 

Cloning a PDB in a Data Guard environment requires few additional steps, which changes across the different Oracle versions and when Active Data Guard option is in use. While remote cloning the PDB the option STANDBYS=NONE should be used to defer the PDB replica to the Standby container. Then it is possible to replicate and protect the newly cloned PDB with Data Guard.

A full example of how to perform those tasks is reported below.

 

Cloning a PDB via DB Link using the STANDBYS=NONE option

create pluggable database PCJORD from PCLORD@ccls01_PCLORD tempfile reuse STANDBYS=NONE;

 

Open the newly cloned PDB

alter pluggable database PCJORD open instances=all;

 

On the Standby Container Restore PDB from Primary

run{
set newname for pluggable database PCJORD to new;
restore pluggable database PCJORD from service CMJP01;
switch datafile all;
}

 

Connect to the Standby container and STOP the Apply Process

dgmgrl
connect sys/xxxxxxxx@CMJP01
edit database 'CMJS01' set state='APPLY-OFF';

 

If Active Data Guard is in use, re-start the Standby container in MOUNT

srvctl stop database -db CMJS01 

sqlplus / as sysdba
startup mount

 

Enable the PDB recovery on the Standby Container

alter session set container=PCJORD;
alter pluggable database enable recovery;

 

Connect to the Standby container and RE-START the Apply Process

dgmdrl
connect sys/xxxxxxxx@CMJP01
edit database 'CMJS01' set state='APPLY-ON';

 

If Active Data Guard is in use Open the Container in Read Only

alter database open;

 

 

 

 

Adding flexibility to Oracle GI Implementing Multiple SCANs

Nowadays the business requirements force the IT to implement the more and more sophisticated and consolidated environments without compromising availability, performance and flexibility of each application running on it.

In this post, I explain how to improve the Grid Infrastructure Network flexibility, implementing multiple SCANs and how to associate one or multiple networks to the Oracle databases.

To better understand the reasons for such type of implementation, below are listed few common use cases:

  • Applications are deployed on different/dedicated subnets.
  • Network isolation due to security requirement.
  • Different database protocols are in use (TCP, TCPS, etc.).

 

 

Single Client Access Name (SCAN)

By default on each Oracle Grid Infrastructure cluster, indipendently from the number of nodes, one SCAN with 3 SCAN VIPs is created.

Below is depicted the default Oracle Clusterware network/SCAN configuration.

 

Single_Scan_Listener

 

Multiple Single Client Access Name (SCAN) implementation

Before implemeting additional SCANs, the OS provisioning of new network interfaces or new VLAN Tagging has to be completed.

The current example uses the second option (VLAN Tagging), and the bond0 interface is an Active/Active setup of two 10gbe cards, to which a VLAN tag has been added.

Below is represented the customized Oracle Clusterware network/SCAN configuration, having added a second SCAN.

 

Multi_Scan_Listeners

 

Step-by-step implementation

After completing the OS network setup, as grid owner add the new interface to the Grid Infrastructure:

grid@host01a:~# oifcfg setif -global bond0.764/10.15.69.0:public

grid@host01a:~# oifcfg getif
eno49 192.168.7.32 global cluster_interconnect,asm
eno50 192.168.9.48 global cluster_interconnect,asm
bond0 10.11.8.0 global public
bond0.764 10.15.69.0 global public
grid@host01a:~#

 

Then as root create the network number 2 and disply the configuration:

root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl add network -netnum 2 -subnet 10.15.69.0/255.255.255.0/bond0.764 -nettype STATIC

root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl config network -netnum 2
Network 2 exists
Subnet IPv4: 10.15.69.0/255.255.255.0/, static
Subnet IPv6:
Ping Targets:
Network is enabled
Network is individually enabled on nodes:
Network is individually disabled on nodes:

 

As root user add the node VIPs:

root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl add vip -node host01a -netnum 2 -address host01b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net/255.255.255.0
root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl add vip -node host02a -netnum 2 -address host02b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net/255.255.255.0
root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl add vip -node host03a -netnum 2 -address host03b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net/255.255.255.0
root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl add vip -node host04a -netnum 2 -address host04b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net/255.255.255.0
root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl add vip -node host05a -netnum 2 -address host05b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net/255.255.255.0
root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl add vip -node host06a -netnum 2 -address host06b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net/255.255.255.0

 

As grid user  create a new listener based on the network number 2:

grid@host01a:~# srvctl add listener -listener LISTENER2 -netnum 2 -endpoints "TCP:1532"

 

As root user add the new SCAN to the network number 2:

 root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl add scan -scanname scan-02.emilianofusaglia.net -netnum 2

 

As root user start the new node VIPs:

root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl start vip -vip host01b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net
root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl start vip -vip host02b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net
root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl start vip -vip host03b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net
root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl start vip -vip host04b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net
root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl start vip -vip host05b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net
root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl start vip -vip host06b-vip.emilianofusaglia.net

 

As grid user start the new node Listeners:

grid@host01a:~# srvctl start listener -listener LISTENER2
grid@host01a:~# srvctl status listener -listener LISTENER2
Listener LISTENER2 is enabled
Listener LISTENER2 is running on node(s): host01a,host02a,host03a,host04a,host05a,host06a

 

As root user start the new SCAN and as grid user check the configuration:

root@host01a:~# /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid/bin/srvctl start scan -netnum 2

grid@host01a:~# srvctl config scan -netnum 2
SCAN name: scan-02.emilianofusaglia.net, Network: 2
Subnet IPv4: 10.15.69.0/255.255.255.0/, static
Subnet IPv6:
SCAN 1 IPv4 VIP: 10.15.69.44
SCAN VIP is enabled.
SCAN VIP is individually enabled on nodes:
SCAN VIP is individually disabled on nodes:
SCAN 2 IPv4 VIP: 10.15.69.45
SCAN VIP is enabled.
SCAN VIP is individually enabled on nodes:
SCAN VIP is individually disabled on nodes:
SCAN 3 IPv4 VIP: 10.15.69.43
SCAN VIP is enabled.
SCAN VIP is individually enabled on nodes:
SCAN VIP is individually disabled on nodes:

grid@host01a:~# srvctl status scan -netnum 2
SCAN VIP scan1_net2 is enabled
SCAN VIP scan1_net2 is running on node host02a
SCAN VIP scan2_net2 is enabled
SCAN VIP scan2_net2 is running on node host01a
SCAN VIP scan3_net2 is enabled
SCAN VIP scan3_net2 is running on node host03a

 

As grid user add the SCAN Listener and check the configuration:

grid@host01a:~# srvctl add scan_listener -netnum 2 -listener LISTENER2 -endpoints TCP:1532

grid@host01a:~# srvctl config scan_listener -netnum 2
SCAN Listener LISTENER2_SCAN1_NET2 exists. Port: TCP:1532
Registration invited nodes:
Registration invited subnets:
SCAN Listener is enabled.
SCAN Listener is individually enabled on nodes:
SCAN Listener is individually disabled on nodes:
SCAN Listener LISTENER2_SCAN2_NET2 exists. Port: TCP:1532
Registration invited nodes:
Registration invited subnets:
SCAN Listener is enabled.
SCAN Listener is individually enabled on nodes:
SCAN Listener is individually disabled on nodes:
SCAN Listener LISTENER2_SCAN3_NET2 exists. Port: TCP:1532
Registration invited nodes:
Registration invited subnets:
SCAN Listener is enabled.
SCAN Listener is individually enabled on nodes:
SCAN Listener is individually disabled on nodes:

 

As grid user start the SCAN Listener2 and check the status:

grid@host01a:~# srvctl start scan_listener -netnum 2

grid@host01a:~# srvctl status scan_listener -netnum 2
SCAN Listener LISTENER2_SCAN1_NET2 is enabled
SCAN listener LISTENER2_SCAN1_NET2 is running on node host02a
SCAN Listener LISTENER2_SCAN2_NET2 is enabled
SCAN listener LISTENER2_SCAN2_NET2 is running on node host01a
SCAN Listener LISTENER2_SCAN3_NET2 is enabled
SCAN listener LISTENER2_SCAN3_NET2 is running on node host03a

 

Defining the multi SCANs configuration per database

Once the above configuration is completed, it remains to define which SCAN/s should be used by each database.

When multiple SCANs exists, by default the CRS populate the LISTENER_NETWORKS parameter to register the database against all SCANs and LISTENERs.

To overwrite this default behavior, allowing for example the authentication of a specific database only against the SCAN scan-02.emilianofusaglia.net, the database parameter LISTENER_NETWORKS should be manually configured.
The parameter LISTENER_NETWORKS can be dynamically set but the new value is enforced during the next instance restart.

 

 

ASM Filter Driver (ASMFD)

 

ASM Filter Driver is a Linux kernel module introduced in 12c R1. It resides in the I/O path of the Oracle ASM disks providing the following features:

  • Rejecting all non-Oracle I/O write requests to ASM Disks.
  • Device name persistency.
  • Node level fencing without reboot.

 

In 12c R2 ASMFD can be enabled from the GUI interface of the Grid Infrastructure installation, as shown on this post GI 12c R2 Installation at the step #8 “Create ASM Disk Group”.

Once ASM Filter Driver is in use, similarly to ASMLib the disks are managed using the ASMFD Label Name.

 

Here few examples about the implementation of ASM Filter Driver.

--How to create an ASMFD label in SQL*Plus
SQL> Alter system label set 'DATA1' to '/dev/mapper/mpathak';

System altered.


--How to create an ASM Disk Group with ASMFD
CREATE DISKGROUP DATA_DG EXTERNAL REDUNDANCY DISK 'AFD:DATA1' SIZE 30720M
ATTRIBUTE 'SECTOR_SIZE'='512','LOGICAL_SECTOR_SIZE'='512','compatible.asm'='12.2.0.1',
'compatible.rdbms'='12.2.0.1','compatible.advm'='12.2.0.1','au_size'='4M';

Diskgroup created.

 

ASM Filter Driver can also be managed from the ASM command line utility ASMCMD

--Check ASMFD status
ASMCMD> afd_state
ASMCMD-9526: The AFD state is 'LOADED' and filtering is 'ENABLED' on host 'oel7node06.localdomain'


--List ASM Disks where ASMFD is enabled
ASMCMD> afd_lsdsk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Label                    Filtering                Path
================================================================================
DATA1                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpathak
DATA2                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpathan
DATA3                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpathw
DATA4                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpathac
GIMR1                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpatham
GIMR2                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpathaj
GIMR3                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpathal
GIMR4                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpathaf
GIMR5                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpathai
RECO3                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpathy
RECO1                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpathab
RECO2                      ENABLED                /dev/mapper/mpathx
ASMCMD>


--How to remove an ASMFD label in ASMCMD
ASMCMD> afd_unlabel DATA4

 

 

 

Installing Oracle Grid Infrastructure 12c R2

It has been an exciting week, Oracle 12c R2 came out and suddenly was time to refresh the RAC test environments. My friend Jacques opted for an upgrade from 12.1.0.2 to 12.2.0.1 (here the link to his blog post),  I started with a fresh installation, because I also upgraded the Operating System to OEL  7.3.

Compared to 12c R1 there are new options on the installation process, but general speaking the wizard is quite similar.

The first breakthrough is about the installation simplified with an image based, no more runIstaller.sh to invoke but …

Unpack the .Zip file directly inside the Grid Infrastructure Home of the first cluster node as described below:

[grid@oel7node06 ~]$ mkdir -p /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid 
[grid@oel7node06 ~]$ chown grid:oinstall /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid 
[grid@oel7node06 ~]$ cd /u01/app/12.2.0.1/grid 
[grid@oel7node06 grid]$ unzip -q download_location/grid_home_image.zip

# From an X session invoke the Grid Infrastructure wizard: 
[grid@oel7node06 grid]$ ./gridSetup.sh

 

01

 

 

The second screenshot list the new Cluster typoligies available on 12c R2:

  • Oracle Standalone Cluster
  • Oracle Cluster Domain
    • Oracle Domain Services Cluster
    • Oracle Member Clusters
      • Oracle Member Cluster for Oracle Database
      • Oracle Member Cluster for Applications

 

In my case I’m installing an Oracle Standalone Cluster

02

 

 

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And now time for testing.

 

 

New Oracle version (12.2.0.1) old BUG!

 

In June 2016 I posted the following BUG: Bug on Oracle 12c Multitenant & PDB Clone as Snapshot Copy, promising to post an update once the version 12cR2 is available, because in the service request, originally opened with the version 12.1.0.2 Oracle stated that the bug would be fixed in 12cR2.

I was so impatient, that just few hours after the general availability of the Oracle Database 12c Release 2  I created a new cluster and tested the resolution.

 

For the record, it states that the resolution of this bug is important for one of my clients, where we have implemented the snapshot PDB on the application development lifecycle.

 

So let’s see if the bug has been fixed!

SQL*Plus: Release 12.2.0.1.0 Production on Wed Mar 1 21:06:54 2017

Copyright (c) 1982, 2016, Oracle. All rights reserved.

Connected to:
Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition Release 12.2.0.1.0 - 64bit Production


SQL> CREATE PLUGGABLE DATABASE PDBACFS1_SNAP1 from PDBACFS1 SNAPSHOT COPY;

Pluggable database created.

SQL> ALTER PLUGGABLE DATABASE PDBACFS1_SNAP1 OPEN instances=all;

Pluggable database altered.

SQL> select CON_ID, NAME, OPEN_MODE, SNAPSHOT_PARENT_CON_ID from v$pdbs where NAME in ('PDBACFS1','PDBACFS1_SNAP1');

 CON_ID     NAME               OPEN_MODE  SNAPSHOT_PARENT_CON_ID
---------- ------------------- ---------- ----------------------
 5          PDBACFS1            READ WRITE
 6          PDBACFS1_SNAP1      READ WRITE               <-- This should be 5 but is NULL

2 rows selected.

 

To a certain point of view progress has been made, in version 12.1.0.2 the column SNAPSHOT_PARENT_CON_ID was always zero (0) now is null!

I’m sorry for my customer, I’ll keep testing hoping …

 

 

Linux for DBA: How disable the ssh banner for a given user

Ready to install a new Oracle RAC cluster, but the ssh banner (in /etc/issue.net protected by root privileges) is compromising the non-interactive ssh commands issued by grid & oracle?

Here the trick to disable it:

--Add this empty file to the grid and oracle UNIX home
touch ~/.hushlogin 

--or
mkdir -p .ssh
chmod 700 .ssh 
echo "LogLevel quiet" > ~/.ssh/config

Oracle DB stored on ASM vs ACFS

Nowadays a new Oracle database environment with Grid Infrastructure has three main storage options:

  1. Third party clustered file system
  2. ASM Disk Groups
  3. ACFS File System

While the first option was not in scope, this blog compares the result of the tests between ASM and ACFS, highlighting when to use one or the other to store 12c NON-CDB or CDB Databases.

The tests conducted on different environments using Oracle version 12.1.0.2 July PSU have shown controversial results compared to what Oracle  is promoting for the Oracle Database Appliance (ODA) in the following paper: “Frequently Asked Questions Storing Database Files in ACFS on Oracle Database Appliance”

 

Outcome of the tests

ASM remains the preferred option to achieve the best I/O performance, while ACFS introduces interesting features like DB snapshot to quickly and space efficiently provision new databases.

The performance gap between the two solutions is not negligible as reported below by the  AWR – TOP Timed Events sections of two PDBs, sharing the same infrastructure, executing the same workload but respectively using ASM and ACFS storage:

  • PDBASM: Pluggable Database stored on  ASM Disk Group
  • PDBACFS:Pluggable Database stored on ACFS File System

 

 

PDBASM AWR – TOP Timed Events and Other Stats

topevents_asm

fg_asm

 

 

PDBACFS AWR – TOP Timed Events and Other Stats

TopEvents_ACFS.png

fg_acfs

 

Due to the different characteristics and results when ASM or ACFS is in use, it is not possible to give a generic recommendation. But case by case the choise should be driven by business needs like maximum performance versus fast and efficient database clone.

 

 

 

 

Severe Oracle instability due to new RedHat 7.2 feature which releases IPC objects

I have recently installed a two node RAC version 12.1.0.2 on top of RedHat 7.2 and few hours after the initial setup I started experiencing ASM and database crashes.

Checking in the alert log I found the following errors:

Tue Oct 04 05:25:17 2016
Dumping diagnostic data in directory=[cdmp_20161004052517], requested by (instance=1, osid=84872 (MMAN)), summary=[abnormal instance termination].
Tue Oct 04 05:25:18 2016
Instance terminated by USER, pid = 84872
Tue Oct 04 05:25:18 2016
Errors in file /oams/base/diag/rdbms/txdop/txdop1/trace/txdop1_mman_84872.trc:
ORA-27300: OS system dependent operation:semctl failed with status: 22
ORA-27301: OS failure message: Invalid argument
ORA-27302: failure occurred at: sskgpwrm1
ORA-27157: OS post/wait facility removed
ORA-27300: OS system dependent operation:semop failed with status: 43
ORA-27301: OS failure message: Identifier removed
ORA-27302: failure occurred at: sskgpwwait1

 

The errors pointed to the OS and in particular to the possibility that semaphores in use by Oracle have been removed.

Because this is a fresh installation and I was the only person using the cluster, it was easy to exclude any third party activity. Then I double-checked the kernel parameters and all other system pre-requisites without finding any wrong configuration.

Finally, on MOS and I found the followinfg note “ALERT: Setting RemoveIPC=yes on Redhat 7.2 Crashes ASM and Database Instances as Well as Any Application That Uses a Shared Memory Segment (SHM) or Semaphores (SEM) (Doc ID 2081410.1)”

Redhat 7.2, systemd-logind service introduced a new feature to remove all IPC objects when a user fully logs out.
The feature is controled by the option RemoveIPC in the /etc/systemd/logind.conf configuration file, see man logind.conf(5) for details.

The default value for RemoveIPC in RHEL7.2 is yes.

As a result, when the last oracle or grid user disconnects, the OS removes shared memory segments and semaphores for those users.
As Oracle ASM and Databases use shared memory segments for SGA, removing shared memory segments will crash the Oracle ASM and database instances.

 

New to Oracle Multitenant?

Multitenant is the biggest architectural change of Oracle 12c and the enabler of many new database options in the years to come. Therefore I have decided to write over the time, few blog posts with basic examples of what should be done and not in a multitenant database environment.

 

Rule #1   – What should not be done

If you are a CDB DBA, always pay attention to which container you are connected to and remember that application data should be stored on Application PDB only!

Unfortunately this golden rule is not-enforced by the RDBMS, but it is left in our responsibility as shown on the example below:

oracle@lxoel7n01:~/ [CDB_TEST] sqlplus / as sysdba

SQL*Plus: Release 12.1.0.2.0 Production on Wed Sep 21 18:28:23 2016

Copyright (c) 1982, 2014, Oracle. All rights reserved.


Connected to:
Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition Release 12.1.0.2.0 - 64bit Production
With the Partitioning, Automatic Storage Management, OLAP, Advanced Analytics
and Real Application Testing options

CDB$ROOT SQL>
CDB$ROOT SQL> show user
USER is "SYS"
CDB$ROOT SQL> show con_name

CON_NAME
------------------------------
CDB$ROOT

 

Once connected to the ROOT container let see if I can mistakenly create an application table:

CDB$ROOT SQL> CREATE TABLE EMP_1
(emp_id NUMBER,
emp_name VARCHAR2(25),
start_date DATE,
emp_status VARCHAR2(10) DEFAULT 'ACTIVE',
resume CLOB); 2 3 4 5 6

Table created.

CDB$ROOT SQL> desc emp_1
 Name                                Null?    Type
 ----------------------------------- -------- ----------------------------
 EMP_ID                                        NUMBER
 EMP_NAME                                      VARCHAR2(25)
 START_DATE                                    DATE
 EMP_STATUS                                    VARCHAR2(10)
 RESUME                                        CLOB


CDB$ROOT SQL> insert into emp_1 values (1, 'Emiliano', sysdate, 'active', ' ');

1 row created.

CDB$ROOT SQL> commit;

Commit complete.


CDB$ROOT SQL> select * from emp_1;

EMP_ID     EMP_NAME                  START_DAT EMP_STATUS RESUME
---------- ------------------------- --------- ---------- ----------------
 1          Emiliano                  21-SEP-16 active

CDB$ROOT SQL> show con_name

CON_NAME
------------------------------
CDB$ROOT

The answer is “YES” and the consequences can be devastating…

 

Rule #2   – Overview of Local and Common Entities

Non-schema entities can be created as local or common.  Local entities exist only in one PDB similar to a non-CDB architecture, while Common entities exist in every current and future container.

List of possible Local / Common entities in a Multitenant database:

  • Users
  • Roles
  • Profiles
  • Audit Policies

All Local entities are created from the local PDB and all Common entities are created from the CDB$ROOT container.

Common-user-defined Users, Roles and Profiles require a standard database prefix, defined by the spfile parameter COMMON_USER_PREFIX:

SQL> show parameter common_user_prefix

NAME                              TYPE        VALUE
--------------------------------- ----------- -----------------
common_user_prefix                string      C##

 

Example of Common User creation:

SQL> CREATE USER C##CDB_DBA1 IDENTIFIED BY PWD CONTAINER=ALL;

User created.


SQL> SELECT con_id, username, user_id, common

  2  FROM cdb_users where username='C##CDB_DBA1'  ORDER BY con_id;

    CON_ID USERNAME                USER_ID COMMON
---------- -------------------- ---------- ------
         1 C##CDB_DBA1               102    YES
         2 C##CDB_DBA1               101    YES
         3 C##CDB_DBA1               107    YES
         4 C##CDB_DBA1               105    YES
         5 C##CDB_DBA1               109    YES
         ...

 

Example of Local user creation:

SQL> show con_name

CON_NAME
------------------------------
MYPDB

SQL> CREATE USER application IDENTIFIED BY pwd CONTAINER=CURRENT;

User created.

If we try to create a Local User from the CDB$ROOT container the following error occurs: ORA-65049: creation of local user or role is not allowed in CDB$ROOT

SQL> show con_name

CON_NAME
------------------------------
CDB$ROOT

SQL> CREATE USER application IDENTIFIED BY pwd   CONTAINER=CURRENT;

CREATE USER application IDENTIFIED BY pwd   CONTAINER=CURRENT

                                      *

ERROR at line 1:
ORA-65049: creation of local user or role is not allowed in CDB$ROOT

 

 

Rule #3  – Application should connect through user-defined database services only

We have been avoiding to create user-defined database services for many years, sometimes even for RAC databases. But in Multitenet or Singletenant architecture the importance of user-defined database service is even greater. For each CDB and PDB Oracle is still automatically creating a default service, but as in the past the default services should never be exposed to the applications.

 

To create user-defined database service in stand-alone environment use the package DBMS_SERVICE while connected to the corresponding PDB:

BEGIN
 DBMS_SERVICE.CREATE_SERVICE(
     SERVICE_NAME     => 'mypdb_app.emilianofusaglia.net',
     NETWORK_NAME     => 'mypdb_app.emilianofusaglia.net',
     FAILOVER_METHOD  =>
     ...
      );
 DBMS_SERVICE.START_SERVICE('mypdp_app.emilianofusaglia.net ');
END;
/

The database services will not start automatically after opening a PDB!  Create a database trigger for this purpose.

 

To create user-defined database service in clustered environment use the srvctl utility from the corresponding RDBMS ORACLE_HOME:

oracle@oel7n01:~/ [EFU1] srvctl add service -db EFU \
> -pdb MYPDB -service mypdb_app.emilianofusaglia.net \
> -failovertype SELECT -failovermethod BASIC \
> -failoverdelay 2 -failoverretry 90

 

List all CDB database services order by Container ID:

SQL> SELECT con_id, name, pdb FROM v$services ORDER BY con_id;

    CON_ID NAME                                     PDB
---------- --------------------------------------- -----------------

         1 EFUXDB                                   CDB$ROOT   <-- CDB Default Service 
         1 SYS$BACKGROUND                           CDB$ROOT   <-- CDB Default Service 
         1 SYS$USERS                                CDB$ROOT   <-- CDB Default Service 
         1 EFU.emilianofusaglia.net                 CDB$ROOT   <-- CDB Default Service 
         1 EFU_ADMIN.emilianofusaglia.net           CDB$ROOT   <-- CDB User-defined Service  
         3 mypdb.emilianofusaglia.net               MYPDB      <-- PDB Default Service 
         3 mypdb_app.emilianofusaglia.net           MYPDB      <-- PDB User-defined Service  

7 rows selected.

 

EZCONNECT to a PDB using the user-defined service:

sqlplus <username>/<password>@<host_name>:<local-listener-port>/<service-name>
sqlplus application/pwd@oel7c-scan:1522/mypdb_app.emilianofusaglia.net

 

 

Rule #4  –  Backup/Recovery strategy in Multitenant

As database administrator one of the first responsibility to fulfil is the “Backup/Recovery” strategy. The migration to multitenant database, due to the high level of consolidation density requires to review existing procedures. Few infrastructure operations, like creating a Data Guard or executing a backup, have been shifted from per-database to per-container consolidating the number of tasks.

RMAN in 12c covers all CDB, PDB backup/restore combinations, even though the best practice suggests to run the daily backup at CDB level, and in case of restore needed, the granularity goes down to the single block of one PDB.  Below are reported few basic backup/restore operations in Multitenant environment.

 

Backup a full CDB:

RMAN> connect target /;
RMAN> backup database plus archivelog;

 

Backup a list of PDBs:

RMAN> connect target /;
RMAN> backup pluggable database mypdb, hrpdb plus archivelog;

 

Backup one PDB directly connecting to it:

RMAN> connect target sys/manager@mypdb.emilianofusaglia.net;
RMAN> backup incremental level 0 database;

 

Backup a PDB tablespace:

RMAN> connect target /;
RMAN> backup tablespace mypdb:system;

 

Generate RMAN report:

RMAN> report need backup pluggable database mypdb;

 

Complete PDB Restore

RMAN> connect target /;
RMAN> alter pluggable database mypdb close;
RMAN> restore pluggable database mypdb;
RMAN> recover pluggable database mypdb;
RMAN> alter pluggable database mypdb open;

 

 

Rule #5  –  Before moving to Multitenant

Oracle Multitenant has introduced many architectural changes that force the DBA to evolve how databases are administered. My last golden rule suggests to thoroughly study the multitenant/singletenant architecture before starting any implementation.

During my experiences implementing multitenant/singletenant architectures, I found great dependencies with the following database areas:

  • Provisioning/Decommissioning
  • Patching and Upgrade
  • Backup/recovery
  • Capacity Planning and Management
  • Tuning
  • Separation of duties between CDB and PDB