Creating Physical Standby Using RMAN DUPLICATE...FROM ACTIVE DATABASE My Oracle Support

Step by step guide on how to create a physical standby database using RMAN DUPLICATE FROM ACTIVE DATABASE command without shutting down the primary and using primary active database files (No need to take a backup)
This is feature available in Oracle11g onwards.

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Database Name :- chicago
Primary db_unique_name :- chicago
standby db_unique_name :- Boston

For duplicating a NON-Standby database, see :
   Note 452868.1 RMAN 'Duplicate From Active Database' Feature in 11G

Solution

1. Make the necessary changes to the primary database.
    a. Enable force logging.
    b. Creating the password file if one does not exist.
    c. Create standby redologs.
    d. Modify the parameter file suitable for Dataguard.
2. Ensure that the sql*net connectivity is working fine.
3. Create the standby database over the network using the active(primary) database files.
    a. Create the password file
    b. Create the initialization parameter file for the standby database (auxiliary database)
    c. Create the necessary mount points or the folders for the database files
    d. Run the standby creation ON STANDBY by connecting to primary as target database.

DUPLICATE TARGET DATABASE 
FOR STANDBY
FROM ACTIVE DATABASE
SPFILE
   PARAMETER_VALUE_CONVERT '', ''
   SET DB_FILE_NAME_CONVERT '', ''
   SET LOG_FILE_NAME_CONVERT '', ''
   SET SGA_MAX_SIZE 200M
   SET SGA_TARGET 125M;

4. Check the log shipping and apply.

PROCEDURE:

While creating the standby database we use the active database files i.e., this command will be useful in creating the physical standby database using active database files over the network.

1. Prepare the production database to be the primary database

a. Ensure that the database is in archivelog mode .

SQL> select log_mode from v$database;

LOG_MODE
------------
ARCHIVELOG

b. Enable force logging

SQL> ALTER DATABASE FORCE LOGGING;

c. Create standby redologs

SQL> alter database add standby logfile '' size ;

d. Modify the primary initialization parameter for dataguard on primary,

SQL> alter system set LOG_ARCHIVE_CONFIG='DG_CONFIG=(chicago,boston)';
System altered.

SQL> alter system set LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_1='LOCATION=/u01/app/oracle/databases/chicago/redo/ VALID_FOR=(ALL_LOGFILES,ALL_ROLES) DB_UNIQUE_NAME=chicago';
System altered.

SQL> alter system set LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_2='SERVICE=boston LGWR ASYNC VALID_FOR=(ONLINE_LOGFILES,PRIMARY_ROLE) DB_UNIQUE_NAME=boston';
System altered.

SQL> alter system set LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_STATE_1=ENABLE;
System altered.

SQL> alter system set FAL_SERVER=boston;
System altered.

SQL> alter system set FAL_CLIENT=chicago;
System altered.

SQL> alter system set DB_FILE_NAME_CONVERT='/u01/app/oracle/databases/boston/data/','/u01/app/oracle/databases/chicago/data' scope=spfile;
System altered.

SQL> alter system set LOG_FILE_NAME_CONVERT='/u01/app/oracle/databases/boston/redo/','/u01/app/oracle/databases/chicago/redo' scope=spfile;
System altered.

2. Ensure that the sql*net connectivity is working fine.

Insert a static entry for Boston in the listener.ora file of the standby system.

SID_LIST_LISTENER =
  (SID_LIST =
    (SID_DESC =
     (GLOBAL_DBNAME = boston.us.oracle.com)
     (ORACLE_HOME = /u01/app/oracle/product/OraHome111)
     (SID_NAME = boston)
    )
   )

LISTENER =
  (DESCRIPTION =
    (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = )(PORT = 1521))
  )

TNSNAMES.ORA for the Primary and Standby should have BOTH entries

CHICAGO =
  (DESCRIPTION =
    (ADDRESS_LIST =
      (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = )(PORT = 1521))
    )
    (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVICE_NAME = chicago.us.oracle.com))
  )

BOSTON =
  (DESCRIPTION =
    (ADDRESS_LIST =
      (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = )(PORT = 1521))
    )
    (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVICE_NAME = boston.us.oracle.com))
  )

Check with the SQL*Net configuration using the following commands on the Primary AND Standby

% tnsping chicago
% tnsping boston

3. Create the standby database

a. Copy the password file from the primary $ORACLE_HOME/dbs and rename it to the standby database name.

The username is required to be SYS and the password needs to be the same on the Primary and Standby.
The best practice for this is to copy the passwordfile as suggested.
The password file name must match the instance name/SID used at the standby site, not the DB_NAME.

b. Create a initialization parameter with only one parameter DB_NAME.

DB_NAME=chicago
DB_UNIQUE_NAME=boston
DB_BLOCK_SIZE=

c. Create the necessary directories in the standby location to place database files and trace files ($ADR_HOME).

d. Set the environment variable ORACLE_SID to the standby service and start the standby-instance.

% export ORACLE_SID=boston
% sqlplus "/ as sysdba"
SQL> startup nomount pfile=$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/initcore1.ora

NOTE : Use either PFILE or SPFILE

# Addtl. comment
# If DUPLICATE without TARGET connection is used you cannot use SPFILE
# else getting

RMAN-05537: DUPLICATE without TARGET connection when auxiliary instance is started with spfile cannot use SPFILE clause

e. Verify if the connection 'AS SYSDBA' is working

% sqlplus /nolog
SQL> connect sys/SQL> connect sys/@chicago AS SYSDBA

f. On the primary system invoke the RMAN executable and connect to the primary and the auxiliary database ( i.e., the standby)

$ rman target sys/sys@chicago auxiliary sys/sys@boston

connected to target database: CHICAGO (DBID=761464750)
connected to auxiliary database: CHICAGO (not mounted)

RMAN> run {
allocate channel prmy1 type disk;
allocate channel prmy2 type disk;
allocate channel prmy3 type disk;
allocate channel prmy4 type disk;
allocate auxiliary channel stby type disk;

duplicate target database for standby from active database
spfile
  parameter_value_convert 'chicago','boston'
  set db_unique_name='boston'
  set db_file_name_convert='/chicago/','/boston/'
  set log_file_name_convert='/chicago/','/boston/'
  set control_files='/u01/app/oracle/oradata/control01.ctl'
  set log_archive_max_processes='5'
  set fal_client='boston'
  set fal_server='chicago'
  set standby_file_management='AUTO'
  set log_archive_config='dg_config=(chicago,boston)'
  set log_archive_dest_2='service=chicago ASYNC valid_for=(ONLINE_LOGFILE,PRIMARY_ROLE) db_unique_name=chicago'
;
}

using target database control file instead of recovery catalog
allocated channel: prmy1
channel prmy1: SID=147 device type=DISK

allocated channel: prmy2
channel prmy2: SID=130 device type=DISK

allocated channel: prmy3
channel prmy3: SID=137 device type=DISK

allocated channel: prmy4
channel prmy4: SID=170 device type=DISK

allocated channel: stby
channel stby: SID=98 device type=DISK

Starting Duplicate Db at 19-MAY-08

contents of Memory Script:
{
backup as copy reuse
file '/u02/app/oracle/product/11.1.0/db_1/dbs/orapwcore' auxiliary format'/u02/app/oracle/product/11.1.0/db_1/dbs/orapwcore1'
file'/u02/app/oracle/product/11.1.0/db_1/dbs/spfilecore.ora' auxiliary format'/u02/app/oracle/product/11.1.0/db_1/dbs/spfilecore1.ora' ;
sql clone "alter system set spfile= ''/u02/app/oracle/product/11.1.0/db_1/dbs/spfilecore1.ora''";
}
executing Memory Script

Starting backup at 19-MAY-08
Finished backup at 19-MAY-08

sql statement: alter system set spfile= ''/u02/app/oracle/product/11.1.0/db_1/dbs/spfilecore1.ora''

contents of Memory Script:
{
sql clone "alter system set audit_file_dest =''/u02/app/oracle/admin/boston/adump'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set dispatchers =''(PROTOCOL=TCP) (SERVICE=core1XDB)'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set log_archive_dest_2 =''service=core11 arch async VALID_FOR=(ONLINE_LOGFILES,PRIMARY_ROLE) db_unique_name=boston'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set db_unique_name =''boston'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set db_file_name_convert =''/chicago/'', ''/boston/'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set log_file_name_convert =''/chicago/'', ''/boston/'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set control_files =''/u01/app/oracle/oradata/control01.ctl'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set log_archive_max_processes =5 comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set fal_client =''boston'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set fal_server =''chicago'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set standby_file_management =''AUTO'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set log_archive_config =''dg_config=(chicago,boston)'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
sql clone "alter system set log_archive_dest_2 =''service=chicago ASYNC valid_for=(ONLINE_LOGFILE,PRIMARY_ROLE) db_unique_name=chicago'' comment='''' scope=spfile";
shutdown clone immediate;
startup clone nomount ;
}
executing Memory Script

sql statement: alter system set audit_file_dest = ''/u02/app/oracle/admin/boston/adump'' comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set dispatchers = ''(PROTOCOL=TCP) (SERVICE=core1XDB)'' comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set log_archive_dest_2 = ''service=core11 arch async VALID_FOR=(ONLINE_LOGFILES,PRIMARY_ROLE) db_unique_name=boston'' comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set db_unique_name = ''boston'' comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set db_file_name_convert = ''/chicago/'', ''/boston/'' comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set log_file_name_convert = ''/chicago/'', ''/boston/'' comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set control_files = ''/u01/app/oracle/oradata/control01.ctl'' comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set log_archive_max_processes = 5 comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set fal_client = ''boston'' comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set fal_server = ''chicago'' comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set standby_file_management = ''AUTO'' comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set log_archive_config = ''dg_config=(chicago,boston)'' comment= '''' scope=spfile
sql statement: alter system set log_archive_dest_2 = ''service=chicago ASYNC valid_for=(ONLINE_LOGFILE,PRIMARY_ROLE) db_unique_name=chicago'' comment= '''' scope=spfile

Oracle instance shut down

connected to auxiliary database (not started)
Oracle instance started

Total System Global Area 845348864 bytes

Fixed Size 1303188 bytes
Variable Size 482348396 bytes
Database Buffers 356515840 bytes
Redo Buffers 5181440 bytes

contents of Memory Script:
{
backup as copy current controlfile for standby auxiliary format '/u01/app/oracle/oradata/control01.ctl';
sql clone 'alter database mount standby database';
}
executing Memory Script

Starting backup at 19-MAY-08
channel prmy1: starting datafile copy
copying standby control file
output file name=/u02/app/oracle/product/11.1.0/db_1/dbs/snapcf_chicago.f tag=TAG20080519T173406 RECID=2 STAMP=655148053
channel prmy1: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:03
Finished backup at 19-MAY-08

sql statement: alter database mount standby database

contents of Memory Script:
{
set newname for tempfile 1 to"/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/temp01.dbf";
switch clone tempfile all;
set newname for datafile 1 to "/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/system01.dbf";
set newname for datafile 2 to "/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/sysaux01.dbf";
set newname for datafile 3 to "/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/undotbs01.dbf";
set newname for datafile 4 to "/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/users01.dbf";
backup as copy reuse
datafile 1 auxiliary format "/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/system01.dbf"
datafile 2 auxiliary format "/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/sysaux01.dbf"
datafile 3 auxiliary format "/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/undotbs01.dbf"
datafile 4 auxiliary format "/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/users01.dbf" ;
sql 'alter system archive log current';
}
executing Memory Script

executing command: SET NEWNAME

renamed tempfile 1 to /u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/temp01.dbf in control file

executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME
executing command: SET NEWNAME

Starting backup at 19-MAY-08
channel prmy1: starting datafile copy
input datafile file number=00001 name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/chicago/system01.dbf
channel prmy2: starting datafile copy
input datafile file number=00002 name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/chicago/sysaux01.dbf
channel prmy3: starting datafile copy
input datafile file number=00003 name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/chicago/undotbs01.dbf
channel prmy4: starting datafile copy
input datafile file number=00004 name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/chicago/users01.dbf
output file name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/undotbs01.dbf tag=TAG20080519T173421 RECID=0 STAMP=0
channel prmy3: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:24
output file name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/users01.dbf tag=TAG20080519T173421 RECID=0 STAMP=0
channel prmy4: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:00:16
output file name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/system01.dbf tag=TAG20080519T173421 RECID=0 STAMP=0
channel prmy1: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:02:32
output file name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/sysaux01.dbf tag=TAG20080519T173421 RECID=0 STAMP=0
channel prmy2: datafile copy complete, elapsed time: 00:02:32
Finished backup at 19-MAY-08

sql statement: alter system archive log current

contents of Memory Script:
{
switch clone datafile all;
}
executing Memory Script

datafile 1 switched to datafile copy
input datafile copy RECID=2 STAMP=655148231 file name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/system01.dbf
datafile 2 switched to datafile copy
input datafile copy RECID=3 STAMP=655148231 file name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/sysaux01.dbf
datafile 3 switched to datafile copy
input datafile copy RECID=4 STAMP=655148231 file name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/undotbs01.dbf
datafile 4 switched to datafile copy
input datafile copy RECID=5 STAMP=655148231 file name=/u02/app/oracle/oradata/boston/users01.dbf
Finished Duplicate Db at 19-MAY-08
released channel: prmy1
released channel: prmy2
released channel: prmy3
released channel: prmy4

4. Start managed recovery

Connect to standby using SQL*Plus and start the MRP (Managed Recovery Process). Compare the primary last sequence and MRP (Managed Recovery Process) applying sequence.

Example :

SQL> alter database recover managed standby database disconnect from session;

5. Open standby database in Read Only (active dataguard)

If you are licensed to use Active Dataguard (ADG) than open the Standby Database in READ ONLY and start the recovery.

SQL> alter database recover managed standby database cancel;
SQL> alter database open;
SQL> alter database recover managed standby database disconnect;