Re: What file can I use to determine if the instance is up ?

In our last gripping episode "Richard Elliott" <richard.a.elliott_at_williams.com> wrote:
> For 7.3 I have been using
> /usr/oracle/dbs/sgadef$SID.dbf
>
> For 8.x I have been using
> /usr/oracle/product/8.1.6/dbs/lk$SID ]
> but this morning I found this file existed but the instance was not
 up.
>
> Is there a more correct file or way to do this ?
>
>

Your file choice appears to be correct, however if the server crashes then ORACLE is not shut down properly and residual files, like your instance lock file, remain. You could create a file to indicate when the instance is up, however you will run into the same problem if the system crashes -- your file won't be removed and it will appear that the instance is up. It is likely that the autostart found the file and gave the error "Cannot start already running Oracle. Shut it down first." This would cause the situation you report -- a lock file exists yet the instance is not running.

If you have problems of this nature you may wish to modify your rc script that starts/stops Oracle to shutdown the database before it starts it. In most cases you'll receive an error from the shutdown (since the database is not running) but it could help when the server crashes by shutting down the instance before it tries to start it.

--
David Fitzjarrell
Oracle Certified DBA


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