DB Version upgrade with CreateDB/Import "Risky"???

Hello fellow Oracle DBAs,

I really need your opinion on this matter:

I routinely do upgrades of Oracle software and databases on all types of systems: Compaq Unix, Netware, Linux, etc. (as do we all from time to time). On one Windows/NT 4 system where I am presently doing an upgrade from a lower version of Oracle 8 to 8.1.7, I am dealing with a particular System Administrator for the NT box who knows a little about Oracle, but that is obviously laboring under some misconceptions.

He strongly believes that the ONLY way one should upgrade a database (once the software has been upgraded) is to do a "migration" (presumably as detailed in the Oracle Migration manual) and he is URGING me to do it this way.

On small databases (i.e. less than 10G) where downtime is not an issue, the way I have always done it and the way I intend to do it this case is:

(1) Take a full database "export" under the old version
(2) Install the Version 8.1.7 software
(3) Recreate from scratch the database under the new software
(4) Do a full database "import" to the new database.

For our systems, I as the DBA believe and have found this to be a fully reliable, quick, and clean method and the preferable way to do it, rather than go through the migration procedure. He on the other hand believes that NOT doing it via the "migration" route is very "risky".

Without going into a long spiel with him about what an upgrade IS as far as the database itself is concerned (i.e. the data dictionary objects being brought up to the new version), and why the way I intend to do it with a full import is perfectly acceptable to accomplish this, I'd like to just offer this person the opinions of some of you out there in ORACLE-L List Land where the Oracle DBA expertise is highly respected for its stature, I.E. so he doesn't have to believe me.

In other words, I don't want to try to convince him against his will......I'd rather have impartial competent experts give him unbiased testimony. Thus I humbly solicit your opinion on this matter. I believe that my above procedure is a simple and fully reliable way of bringing the database up to the new software level......or perhaps it is ***I*** that am laboring under the misconception??? May I please have your take on this.....

Much appreciate,

JDamiano

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Author: James Damiano
  INET: jadam_at_nhes.state.nh.us

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