3 Creating a Physical Standby Database

3.1.1 Enable Forced Logging

Place the primary database in FORCE LOGGING mode after database creation using the following SQL statement:

SQL> ALTER DATABASE FORCE LOGGING;

This statement can take a considerable amount of time to complete, because it waits for all unlogged direct write I/O to finish.

3.1.2 Configure Redo Transport Authentication

Data Guard uses Oracle Net sessions to transport redo data and control messages between the members of a Data Guard configuration. These redo transport sessions are authenticated using either the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol or a remote login password file.

SSL is used to authenticate redo transport sessions between two databases if:

• The databases are members of the same Oracle Internet Directory (OID) enterprise domain and it allows the use of current user database links

• The LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_n, and FAL_SERVER database initialization parameters that correspond to the databases use Oracle Net connect descriptors configured for SSL

• Each database has an Oracle wallet or supported hardware security module that contains a user certificate with a distinguished name (DN) that matches the DN in the OID entry for the database

If the SSL authentication requirements are not met, each member of a Data Guard configuration must be configured to use a remote login password file and every physical standby database in the configuration must have an up-to-date copy of the password file from the primary database.

3.1.3 Configure the Primary Database to Receive Redo Data

Although this task is optional, Oracle recommends that a primary database be configured to receive redo data when a Data Guard configuration is created. By following this best practice, your primary database will be ready to quickly transition to the standby role and begin receiving redo data.

See Section 6.2.3 for a complete discussion of how to configure a database to receive redo data.

3.1.4 Set Primary Database Initialization Parameters

On the primary database, you define initialization parameters that control redo transport services while the database is in the primary role. There are additional parameters you need to add that control the receipt of the redo data and apply services when the primary database is transitioned to the standby role.

Example 3-1 shows the primary role initialization parameters that you maintain on the primary database. This example represents a Data Guard configuration with a primary database located in Chicago and one physical standby database located in Boston. The parameters shown in Example 3-1 are valid for the Chicago database when it is running in either the primary or the standby database role. The configuration examples use the names shown in the following table:

DB_NAME=chicago
DB_UNIQUE_NAME=chicago
LOG_ARCHIVE_CONFIG='DG_CONFIG=(chicago,boston)'
CONTROL_FILES='/arch1/chicago/control1.ctl', '/arch2/chicago/control2.ctl'
LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_1=
 'LOCATION=/arch1/chicago/ 
  VALID_FOR=(ALL_LOGFILES,ALL_ROLES)
  DB_UNIQUE_NAME=chicago'
LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_2=
 'SERVICE=boston ASYNC
  VALID_FOR=(ONLINE_LOGFILES,PRIMARY_ROLE) 
  DB_UNIQUE_NAME=boston'
LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_STATE_1=ENABLE
LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_STATE_2=ENABLE
REMOTE_LOGIN_PASSWORDFILE=EXCLUSIVE
LOG_ARCHIVE_FORMAT=%t_%s_%r.arc
LOG_ARCHIVE_MAX_PROCESSES=30

These parameters control how redo transport services transmit redo data to the standby system and the archiving of redo data on the local file system. Note that the example specifies asynchronous (ASYNC) network transmission to transmit redo data on the LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_2 initialization parameter. These are the recommended settings and require standby redo log files (see Section 3.1.3, "Configure the Primary Database to Receive Redo Data").

Example 3-2 shows the additional standby role initialization parameters on the primary database. These parameters take effect when the primary database is transitioned to the standby role.

FAL_SERVER=boston
DB_FILE_NAME_CONVERT='boston','chicago'
LOG_FILE_NAME_CONVERT=
 '/arch1/boston/','/arch1/chicago/','/arch2/boston/','/arch2/chicago/' 
STANDBY_FILE_MANAGEMENT=AUTO

Specifying the initialization parameters shown in Example 3-2 sets up the primary database to resolve gaps, converts new datafile and log file path names from a new primary database, and archives the incoming redo data when this database is in the standby role. With the initialization parameters for both the primary and standby roles set as described, none of the parameters need to change after a role transition.

The following table provides a brief explanation about each parameter setting shown in Example 3-1 and Example 3-2.

3.1.5 Enable Archiving

If archiving is not enabled, issue the following statements to put the primary database in ARCHIVELOG mode and enable automatic archiving:

SQL> SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE;
SQL> STARTUP MOUNT;
SQL> ALTER DATABASE ARCHIVELOG;
SQL> ALTER DATABASE OPEN;

See Oracle Database Administrator's Guide for information about archiving.

3.2.1 Create a Backup Copy of the Primary Database Datafiles

You can use any backup copy of the primary database to create the physical standby database, as long as you have the necessary archived redo log files to completely recover the database. Oracle recommends that you use the Recovery Manager utility (RMAN).

See Oracle Database High Availability Architecture and Best Practices for backup recommendations and Oracle Database Backup and Recovery User's Guide to perform a database backup operation.

3.2.2 Create a Control File for the Standby Database

If the backup procedure required you to shut down the primary database, issue the following SQL*Plus statement to start the primary database:

SQL> STARTUP MOUNT;

Then, create the control file for the standby database, and open the primary database to user access, as shown in the following example:

SQL> ALTER DATABASE CREATE STANDBY CONTROLFILE AS '/tmp/boston.ctl';
SQL> ALTER DATABASE OPEN;

3.2.3 Prepare an Initialization Parameter File for the Standby Database

Perform the following steps to create a standby initialization parameter file.

Step 1   Copy the primary database parameter file to the standby database.

Create a text initialization parameter file (PFILE) from the server parameter file (SPFILE) used by the primary database; a text initialization parameter file can be copied to the standby location and modified. For example:

SQL> CREATE PFILE='/tmp/initboston.ora' FROM SPFILE;

Later, in Section 3.2.5, you will convert this file back to a server parameter file after it is modified to contain the parameter values appropriate for use with the physical standby database.

Step 2   Set initialization parameters on the physical standby database.

Although most of the initialization parameter settings in the text initialization parameter file that you copied from the primary system are also appropriate for the physical standby database, some modifications need to be made.

Example 3-3 shows the portion of the standby initialization parameter file where values were modified for the physical standby database. Parameter values that are different from Example 3-1 and Example 3-2 are shown in bold typeface. The parameters shown in Example 3-3 are valid for the Boston database when it is running in either the primary or the standby database role.

.
.
.
DB_NAME=chicago
DB_UNIQUE_NAME=boston
LOG_ARCHIVE_CONFIG='DG_CONFIG=(chicago,boston)'
CONTROL_FILES='/arch1/boston/control1.ctl', '/arch2/boston/control2.ctl'
DB_FILE_NAME_CONVERT='chicago','boston'
LOG_FILE_NAME_CONVERT=
 '/arch1/chicago/','/arch1/boston/','/arch2/chicago/','/arch2/boston/'
LOG_ARCHIVE_FORMAT=log%t_%s_%r.arc
LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_1=
 'LOCATION=/arch1/boston/
  VALID_FOR=(ALL_LOGFILES,ALL_ROLES) 
  DB_UNIQUE_NAME=boston'
LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_2=
 'SERVICE=chicago ASYNC
  VALID_FOR=(ONLINE_LOGFILES,PRIMARY_ROLE) 
  DB_UNIQUE_NAME=chicago'
LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_STATE_1=ENABLE
LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_STATE_2=ENABLE
REMOTE_LOGIN_PASSWORDFILE=EXCLUSIVE
STANDBY_FILE_MANAGEMENT=AUTO
FAL_SERVER=chicago
.
.
.

Ensure the COMPATIBLE initialization parameter is set to the same value on both the primary and standby databases. If the values differ, redo transport services may be unable to transmit redo data from the primary database to the standby databases. In a Data Guard configuration, COMPATIBLE must be set to a minimum of 9.2.0.1.0. However, if you want to take advantage of new Oracle Database 11g features, set the COMPATIBLE parameter to 11.0.0.

It is always a good practice to use the SHOW PARAMETERS command to verify no other parameters need to be changed.

The following table provides a brief explanation about the parameter settings shown in Example 3-3 that have different settings from the primary database.

3.2.4 Copy Files from the Primary System to the Standby System

Use an operating system copy utility to copy the following binary files from the primary system to the standby system:

• Backup datafiles created in Section 3.2.1

• Standby control file created in Section 3.2.2

• Initialization parameter file created in Section 3.2.3

3.2.5 Set Up the Environment to Support the Standby Database

Perform the following steps to create a Windows-based service, create a password file, set up the Oracle Net environment, and create a SPFILE.

Step 1   Create a Windows-based service.

If the standby database will be hosted on a Windows system, use the ORADIM utility to create a Windows service. For example:

WINNT> oradim –NEW –SID boston –STARTMODE manual

See Oracle Database Platform Guide for Microsoft Windows for more information about using the ORADIM utility.

Step 2   Copy the remote login password file from the primary database system to the standby database system

If the primary database has a remote login password file, copy it to the appropriate directory on the physical standby database system. Note that the password file must be re-copied each time the SYSDBA or SYSOPER privilege is granted or revoked and whenever the login password of a user with these privileges is changed.

This step is optional if operating system authentication is used for administrative users and if SSL is used for redo transport authentication

Step 3   Configure listeners for the primary and standby databases.

On both the primary and standby sites, use Oracle Net Manager to configure a listener for the respective databases.

To restart the listeners (to pick up the new definitions), enter the following LSNRCTL utility commands on both the primary and standby systems:

% lsnrctl stop
% lsnrctl start

See Oracle Database Net Services Administrator's Guide.

Step 4   Create Oracle Net service names.

On both the primary and standby systems, use Oracle Net Manager to create a network service name for the primary and standby databases that will be used by redo transport services.

The Oracle Net service name must resolve to a connect descriptor that uses the same protocol, host address, port, and service that you specified when you configured the listeners for the primary and standby databases. The connect descriptor must also specify that a dedicated server be used.

See the Oracle Database Net Services Administrator's Guide and the Oracle Database Administrator's Guide.

Step 5   Create a server parameter file for the standby database.

On an idle standby database, use the SQL CREATE statement to create a server parameter file for the standby database from the text initialization parameter file that was edited in Step 2. For example:

SQL> CREATE SPFILE FROM PFILE='initboston.ora';

Step 6   Copy the primary database encryption wallet to the standby database system

If the primary database has a database encryption wallet, copy it to the standby database system and configure the standby database to use this wallet.

Note:

The database encryption wallet must be copied from the primary database system to each standby database system whenever the master encryption key is updated.

Encrypted data in a standby database cannot be accessed unless the standby database is configured to point to a database encryption wallet or hardware security module that contains the current master encryption key from the primary database.

See Also:

Oracle Database Advanced Security Administrator's Guide for more information about transparent database encryption

3.2.6 Start the Physical Standby Database

Perform the following steps to start the physical standby database and Redo Apply.

Step 1   Start the physical standby database.

On the standby database, issue the following SQL statement to start and mount the database:

SQL> STARTUP MOUNT;

Step 2   Prepare the Standby Database to Receive Redo Data

Prepare the standby database to receive and archive redo data from the primary database, by performing the steps described in Section 6.2.3.

Step 3   Create an Online Redo Log on the Standby Database

Although this step is optional, Oracle recommends that an online redo log be created when a standby database is created. By following this best practice, a standby database will be ready to quickly transition to the primary database role.

The size and number of redo log groups in the online redo log of a standby database should be chosen so that the standby database performs well if it transitions to the primary role.

Step 4   Start Redo Apply.

On the standby database, issue the following command to start Redo Apply:

SQL> ALTER DATABASE RECOVER MANAGED STANDBY DATABASE USING CURRENT LOGFILE - 
> DISCONNECT FROM SESSION;

The statement includes the DISCONNECT FROM SESSION option so that Redo Apply runs in a background session. See Section 7.3, "Applying Redo Data to Physical Standby Databases" for more information.

The statement also includes the USING CURRENT LOGFILE clause so that redo can be applied as soon as it has been received. See Section 7.3.1, "Starting Redo Apply" for more information.

3.2.7 Verify the Physical Standby Database Is Performing Properly

Once you create the physical standby database and set up redo transport services, you may want to verify database modifications are being successfully transmitted from the primary database to the standby database.

To see that redo data is being received on the standby database, you should first identify the existing archived redo log files on the standby database, force a log switch and archive a few online redo log files on the primary database, and then check the standby database again. The following steps show how to perform these tasks.

Step 1   Identify the existing archived redo log files.

On the standby database, query the V$ARCHIVED_LOG view to identify existing files in the archived redo log. For example:

SQL> SELECT SEQUENCE#, FIRST_TIME, NEXT_TIME -
>  FROM V$ARCHIVED_LOG ORDER BY SEQUENCE#;

 SEQUENCE# FIRST_TIME         NEXT_TIME
---------- ------------------ ------------------
         8 11-JUL-07 17:50:45 11-JUL-07 17:50:53
         9 11-JUL-07 17:50:53 11-JUL-07 17:50:58
        10 11-JUL-07 17:50:58 11-JUL-07 17:51:03

3 rows selected.

Step 2   Force a log switch to archive the current online redo log file.

On the primary database, issue the ALTER SYSTEM SWITCH LOGFILE statement to force a log switch and archive the current online redo log file group:

SQL> ALTER SYSTEM SWITCH LOGFILE;

Step 3   Verify the new redo data was archived on the standby database.

On the standby database, query the V$ARCHIVED_LOG view to verify the redo data was received and archived on the standby database:

SQL> SELECT SEQUENCE#, FIRST_TIME, NEXT_TIME -
> FROM V$ARCHIVED_LOG ORDER BY SEQUENCE#;

 SEQUENCE# FIRST_TIME         NEXT_TIME
---------- ------------------ ------------------
         8 11-JUL-07 17:50:45 11-JUL-07 17:50:53
         9 11-JUL-07 17:50:53 11-JUL-07 17:50:58
        10 11-JUL-07 17:50:58 11-JUL-07 17:51:03
        11 11-JUL-07 17:51:03 11-JUL-07 18:34:11
4 rows selected.

The archived redo log files are now available to be applied to the physical standby database.

Step 4   Verify that received redo has been applied.

On the standby database, query the V$ARCHIVED_LOG view to verify that received redo has been applied:

SQL> SELECT SEQUENCE#,APPLIED FROM V$ARCHIVED_LOG -
> ORDER BY SEQUENCE#;

SEQUENCE# APP
--------- ---
        8 YES
        9 YES
       10 YES
       11 IN-MEMORY

4 rows selected.

Note:

The value of the APPLIED column for the most recently received log file will be either IN-MEMORY or YES if that log file has been applied.