Installation features

After determining server requirements, the DBA needs to become familiar with Oracle’s installation features. Oracle Database 10g supports the industry trend toward grid computing. It includes an automatic hardware and software compatibility check, direct integration of the Oracle MetaLink service into the Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM), and options for database management, file storage, and backup and recovery.

There are many installation features in Oracle 10g.

a. Database management

The Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM) Database Control, which is included with Oracle Database 10g, can be used to manage local databases. In order to centrally manage several databases across multiple servers, install the OEM Grid Control from the Oracle Enterprise Manager CD. OEM Grid Control enables the configuration and management of multiple hosts, databases, and other Oracle services.

b. Preinstallation compatibility check

Performing an Oracle Database 10g installation using the Oracle Universal Installer (OUI)invokes a preinstallation system check utility, which ensures that the system meets the minimum requirements for installation, including hardware, free disk space, and operating system version. The utility may be launched separately, either as an independent system check or as part of a manual installation.

c. File storage
Three options are available through the OUI to configure database file storage:

• The File Systems option specifies that database file systems will follow the standard method for managing files and directories as specified by the operating system.

• Automatic Storage Management (ASM) combines the functionality of a Logical Volume Manager (LVM) with the simplicity of a traditional file system. To use the ASM management option, either specify an existing ASM disk group or add a set of disks to be used in a new ASM disk
group.

• The Raw Devices option enables shared storage on raw disk volumes or partitions for databases stored in Real Application Clusters (RACs) when a Cluster File System (CFS) is not present on the system. In order to use the Raw Devices option during installation, a raw device must first be created for each datafile, log file, and control file in the database.

d. Backup and recovery

Automatic backups may be enabled or disabled during installation. In order to enable backups, a backup location and a user’s name and password credentials must be provided.

e. User passwords

The SYS, SYSTEM, DBSNMP, and SYSMAN database management schemas may use a single password specified during installation, or different passwords may be created for each account.

f. Cluster Ready Services(CRSs)

Provide Oracle Database 10g administrators with a native tool for RAC and platform services management.

g. Enterprise Configuration Management Tool(ECMT)

Available only on systems using the OEM Grid Control. ECMT simplifies the tasks of collecting host and database information and performing enterprise configuration.

h. Oracle MetaLink integration

Administrators with valid Oracle MetaLink accounts may store their account credentials within the OEM to receive automatic software patch advisories, manage downloaded patches, and administer patch applications.

i. Cloning

The Oracle Database 10g OEM provides a Clone Database utility to safely and easily duplicate existing databases. In addition, OEM Grid Control users can duplicate an existing Oracle Database 10g database on one or more servers, greatly simplifying the process of cloning an entire software installation, or Oracle Home directory, to multiple locations, while automatically adjusting critical environment variables, such as host names and IP addresses.