Re: Multiple installed versions of Oracle

On Apr 5, 2005 3:55 PM, Tracy Rahmlow <tracy.rahmlow_at_aexp.com> wrote:
> Several occasions where server and db crashed due to dba administering db
> in an incorrect manner. IE mistook one version for the other. Applied
> the incorrect maintenance patch to the incorrect instance.

I've worked in a number of shops where one machine hosts a number of instances, sometimes a dozen or more per machine.

I can think of one occasion where something similar to what your systems manager described has happened. A contractor (employed from an overseas agency, because they were cheap) logged into the wrong database and essentially 'dropped' it and deleted the datafiles. He realised what he'd done, tried to fix it, realised that he couldn't without revealing what he'd done so covered his tracks then disapeared back to his home country. Because of him covering his tracks we never discovered what he'd actually done, the agency never told us what became of him. The only solution was to restore the previous backups then apply the redo logs (which had, fortunately, survived.

As it happened the databases were on entirely different machines, they just had similar names (one was the live production database and the other was a QA/reporting copy that was refreshed once a week) so that puts a bullet in the idea that putting them on different servers makes them safe.

The best protection seems to be to encourage everyone to think before they do and to make sure that they have enough time to think. Rushed people make mistakes.

Oh, and don't go for the cheap option, it's not cheap.

>
> Several occasions where db versions did not play nice together 7.3.4 and
> 8i.

I've had 7.3.4 and 8i together ont he same machine under Windows 2000, HPUX 9 and Solaris 7 through 9 with no problems. Where I've seen peoole having problems it's usually been down to things like trying to install both versions into the same home. If I had a cent for every time I've seen someone try to do that (or I've had to clear up the mess after they've tried it) then I'd have $3.67.

A case of engage brain before putting fingers into gear.

Stephen

-- 
It's better to ask a silly question than to make a silly assumption.
--
http://www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l