11 Configuring the Server Parameter File in Real Application Clusters Environments

Location of The Server Parameter File

The default location of the server parameter file when the database creates it from a PFILE is:

$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/spfile$ORACLE_SID.ora

The default location of the server parameter file is inappropriate for RAC databases if you use raw devices because all instances must use the same server parameter file.

Instead, Oracle recommends that you use a PFILE in the following directory:

$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/init$ORACLE_SID.ora

This path is valid for each instance and it refers to a single, shared initialization parameter file. The file must contain the following entry if you use raw storage:

SPFILE='/dev/vx/rdsk/oracle_dg/dbspfile'

However, if you use a cluster file system, then use the following alternate file location:

SPFILE='$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/spfile.ora'

If you use ASM, then the file location will be:

SPFILE='+disk_group_name/dbunique_name/spfile<dbname>.ora

You must use the same value of SPFILE so that all instances use the same server parameter file at startup.

To use the DBCA to create your database and to use the server parameter file, on the Initialization Parameters page select Create server parameter file (spfile) under the File Locations tab which is visible only if you are using raw storage. Then enter either a shared file system filename or the raw device path name in the Server Parameters Filename field.

Server Parameter File Placement in Real Application Clusters

For single-node cluster-enabled configurations, or if you are using a cluster file system, place the server parameter file on a file system. Otherwise, place the server parameter file on a shared raw device that is at least 5MB in size.

Procedures for Migrating to the Server Parameter File

Migrate to the server parameter file by completing the following procedures:

1. Combine the initialization parameter files for all instances into one initdbname.ora file by copying all shared IFILE contents as is. All parameters defined in your IFILE parameter files are global. Therefore, create them as "parameter=value" without sid prefixes.

2. Copy all instance-specific parameter definitions from initsid.ora files using the following syntax where sid is the sid of the instance:

   sid.parameter=value
   

3. If you are using a cluster file system, then create the server parameter file using the CREATE SPFILE statement as in the following example:

   CREATE SPFILE='?/dbs/spfile_dbname.ora'
   FROM PFILE='?/dbs/initdbname.ora'
   
   

   If you use ASM, then use the following syntax to create the server parameter file:

   CREATE SPFILE='/+disk_group_name/db_uniquename/spfiledbname.ora'
   FROM PFILE='?/dbs/initdbname.ora'
   
   

   If you use raw storage, then use the following syntax to create the server parameter file on a raw device:

   CREATE SPFILE='/dev/vx/rdsk/oracle_dg/dbspfile'
   FROM PFILE='?/dbs/initdbname.ora'
   
   

   These statements read your combined initdbname.ora file that you created by merging your IFILEs. Then it transfers the settings for the parameters from the merged file into your server parameter file.

4. Oracle recommends that you use the server parameter file by executing the STARTUP command as in this example:

   STARTUP PFILE=$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/initsid.ora
   
   

   Where the file initsid.ora contains the entry:

   SPFILE='/dev/vx/rdsk/oracle_dg/dbspfile'
   
   

   If you use this STARTUP command syntax, then Oracle uses the server parameter file entry specified in initsid.ora.