I am a new Oracle DBA that has been tasked with creating some single node databases for our programmers to connect to. I have never built a database, only upgraded. I will be using a Dell 610 with 10.2.0.4 software. I have been reading the install guides but cannot find a definitive answer for how to create the raw partitions. I have a SAN that I can utilize and my current db is set up with RAID 6 like so:

Disk 2 300 GB 1 Extended 300 GB and 5 logical, 100MB, 30 MB, 100 GB, 100 GB, 100 GB
Disk 3 100GB 1 Extended 100 GB and 3 logical 100 MB, 30 MB, 100 GB

Can anyone explain to me why the old DBA partitioned this way? I am not good with storage and know that I need to understand before I build new databases so I do not duplicate something that is wrong. I was reading articles that recommend SAME but would not know how to do that on the SAN.

I will be using data pump to export the database and import to the new server. I was looking at using transportable tablespaces to do this. Would you recommend that from the cluster to the standalone?

I was looking at buying the Oracle RAC pack. Will that help me if I am running Oracle on Windows? I have been Unix until now...

Thanks for any help or reading material you can provide!!

Hi Jamie,

>> I have never built a database, only upgraded.

No problem! Here is a template:

http://www.dba-oracle.com/oracle_tips_db_copy.htm

*****************************************
>> but cannot find a definitive answer for how to create the raw partitions.

That's a GREAT question! Only the diosk vendor can tell you . . .

*****************************************
>> I have a SAN that I can utilize and my current db is set up with RAID 6 like so:

You can use whatever you want, but the standard for Oracle is SAME (RAID-10):

http://dba-oracle.com/googlesearchsite_pro...;q=raid-10+same

**********************************************
>> SAME but would not know how to do that on the SAN.

Oh, use ASM: Automated storage management:

http://dba-oracle.com/googlesearchsite_pro...UTF-8&q=asm

*****************************************
>> I was looking at buying the Oracle RAC pack.

Which one?

Rampant sells a RAC Pack (books) and Oracle Corporation sells a RAC pack for $40,000.00.

*******************************************
>> I will be using data pump to export the database and import to the new server.

Too slow . . . Clone them instead:

http://www.dba-oracle.com/oracle_tips_db_copy.htm

****************************************
>> I was looking at using transportable tablespaces to do this. Would you recommend that from the cluster to the standalone?

It depends. If the surce database is shut down transportable tablespaces are fine, but if you can clone by simply copying the datafile, that's easy and faster . . .

In Sum,

- Your DELL is just a glorified personal computer, don't get too fancy.

- With only two disk platters, you are guaranteed to get I/O contention no matter what you do. Just stick with plain JFS files for now.

- If you get I/O bound, plan on adding RAM chips to the Dell servers. Make sure that they are 64-bit and that there is room for at least 64 gig of RAM chips, in case you need a large data buffer.

- Stick with UNIX, trust me, you DO NOT want to go with Oracle Windows!

- You don't need RAC unless that system has a downtime > $100,000 per minute

- For books, get the Easy Oracle Jumpstart pack:

http://www.rampant-books.com/menu_six_packs_bundles.htm#easy

If you want one of my experts to help you, call 800-766-1884 and you can get a DBA to walk you through it . . .

Good Luck!

Thank you so much for the input! I will look through everything and see where I am at

I am only utilizing windows because that is how they have everything configured and they won't let me change it. I would much rather be back in Unix land But they are very specific with requirements, RAC being one of them. Do you think I would be better off with the Jumpstart pack or RAC pack?

I will definitely look into your Oracle support/mentoring. I would love to have that but not sure if my company will pay for it. I just got told an hour ago that we have to move servers from one VLAN to another. I have a 2 node cluster that is on private ip/subnet so I am thinking we can configure the private VLAN the same and not have to make any changes to the database? I know Oracle does not support changing the ip or hostname so I am hoping that can be our workaround.

Again thank you very much!

Hi Jamie,

>> I am only utilizing windows because that is how they have everything configured and they won't let me change it.

As you know, any Maroon can click buttons on a GUI, and UNIX is far more difficult, but infinitely mnore flexible.

Please read, I write this page just for you:

http://www.dba-oracle.com/t_justify_migrat...ndows_linux.htm

BTW, there is a new book just out: Linux for the Orackle DBA:

http://www.rampant-books.com/book_1001_linux_oracle_dba.htm

I wholeheartedly agree with you on the article. I know a lot of managers that think that Windows is better. I think in part because that is what they are comfortable with and in part because they are not technical and GUI's are pretty

I ordered the Oracle Easy Pack so I am looking forward to getting to sit down with those.

Thanks for the forum and all the helpful articles! I have spent many hours so far reading through them