Re: Using symbolic links for data files ??

Glad to see some support for symbolic link use, especially for databases on raw partitions.

Oracle consulting has long published an Oracle document (Part # A19308-2) that defines the Optimal Flexible Architecture (OFA). In it Cary describes some of the possible uses for symbolic links to ease the administrative burden. (OFA describes how to organize your UNIX system to make long term management of your Oracle database as clean as possible.)

An internal benchmarking team has been using a technique quite similar to the one Jgreene describes to organize datafiles at a number of customer benchmarks and proof of concepts demonstrations. I am documenting this method in the next edition of the Oracle for UNIX, Performance Tuning Tips OFA Appendix, coming sometime soon. When using raw partions, it is a good idea to keep links to the spare character special files in the same directory (or a sub-directory) so when you need to move something, you know what is available. (You did make all of your raw devices one or two standard sizes so your spares are useful, didn't you? :-)

The only caution is: there may be some performance consequences on some platforms. (this is not confirmed)

If you think using symbolic links causes problems, let me know quickly (by email -- I don't look at net-news often), I hope to publish soon.

Thanks.

Mark Johnson
Oracle Corp. Received on Fri Dec 30 1994 - 05:26:08 CET