Rolling upgrade of OS in Oracle Cluster

Hi Friends, hope you are doing well.

Recently I did rolling upgrade of OS from RHEL 6.4 to RHEL 7.4 in Oracle RAC 11gR2 (Two Nodes) environment. I wanted to share the approach that I followed considering to minimize the downtime as possible.

Please note that for OS upgrade from RHEL 6.4 to 7.4, servers has to be reimaged.

Oracle supports the rolling upgrade of the operating system in a cluster when both versions of the operating system are certified with the version of Oracle Database you are running.

Mixed operating system versions are only supported for the duration of an upgrade (i.e. within 24 hours). The cluster should never be operated with mixed operating systems for an extended period.

Followed the below steps for this OS upgrade. This is the two node Oracle RAC (11gR2) environment.

1.       Upgrade OS to RHL7.4 in Node2:

a.       Relocate all DB services from Node2 to Node1.

Example:

# srvctl relocate service -d DB_Name -s Service_Name -i DB_Instance_2 -t DB_Instance_1

b.      Remove the Node2 from cluster. Before removing the node2, please take the backup from node2 if anything needed.

c.       Reimage the server Node2 with RHEL 7.4 OS

d.      Add Node2 back to Oracle Cluster

2.       Upgrade OS to RHL7.4 in Node1:

a.       Relocate all DB services from Node1 to Node2

Example:

# srvctl relocate service -d DB_Name -s Service_Name -i DB_Instance_1 -t DB_Instance_2

b.      Remove Node1 from Cluster

c.       Reimage the server Node1 with RHEL 7.4 OS

d.      Add Node1 back to Oracle Cluster

References:

The below mentioned Oracle document provides detailed steps for adding and deleting cluster nodes on Linux.

https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E11882_01/rac.112/e41959/adddelclusterware.htm#CWADD1167

The below mentioned Oracle document provides more details on having mixed operating systems versions during upgrade.

https://support.oracle.com/epmos/faces/DocumentDisplay?id=1072552.1

Database Migration and Upgrade from Oracle 11g to 12c.

Hello Friends, hope you are doing well.

I recently did a database migration to new hardware/servers and then upgraded from 11.2.0.4 to 12.1.0.2.

For this migration and upgrade activity, followed the below approach to minimize the downtime as possible.

This migration and upgrade activity can be broadly split into two phases.

1.       Migrate the database to new hardware/servers. (e.g. OS version RHEL 6.x to 7.x)

2.       Upgrade the database from 11g to 12c

1.       Migrate the database to new servers

·         Setup two node Oracle 12c cluster in new servers

The below Oracle document can be referred to know how to setup Oracle 12c Cluster in new servers:

https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/12.2/cwlin/index.html

·         Install RDBMS software 11.2.0.4 in new servers.

This 11g Oracle home is needed to setup physical standby database first for migrating the 11g database from old server to this new server.

·         Setup a Physical standby database 11.2.0.4 in new servers so that both the databases in old and new servers are in synch with Data guard replication

The below Oracle document can be referred to know how to create Oracle 11g physical standby database and how to perform database switchover (Database role transitions):

https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E11882_01/server.112/e41134/title.htm

·         During the change window, activate physical standby database so that it will become primary database (Read and Write mode).

·         Now the 11g database is up and running in new servers

2.       Upgrade database from 11g to 12c in new servers

·         Install Oracle 12c RDBMS software in new servers.

·         Now upgrade this 11.2.0.4 database to 12c, in new servers (This 11g database has been migrated to this new servers as explained in above steps).

     By default upgraded database will be Non-CDB.

The below Oracle document can be referred to know how to upgrade the database to Oracle 12c:

https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/12.2/upgrd/index.html

References:

·    Oracle 12c Grid Infrastructure Installation and Upgrade Guide

https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/12.2/cwlin/index.html

·    Oracle 12c Database Upgrade Guide, for upgrading database to 12c

https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/12.2/upgrd/index.html

·      Oracle 11gR2 - Data Guard Concepts and Administration

https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E11882_01/server.112/e41134/title.htm

Network Requirements for RAC

Hi Friends, hope you are doing well.
Recently I learnt some more things while installing 2 nodes RAC environment.

After installation of RAC environment I could notice that the VIP was turning into OFFLINE status frequently and sometimes it fails over on another node.

I could find that VIP keeps restarting if “Default gateway” and VIP are in different subnet. Then I set the subnet for default gateway same as VIP which resolved the issue.

I have listed below the Network Hardware/IP Address requirements for RAC setup:

Network Hardware/IP Address requirements for RAC setup

• At least two network interface cards or network adapters needed for each node in RAC grid. One adapter is for the public network and the other adapter is for the private network
• Make sure network interfaces have the same name on all nodes
• At least three IP addresses needed for each node
  1. An IP address for the public interface
  2. An IP address for the private interface
  3. A Virtual IP address with an associated network name
• The VIP should be on the same subnet as your public interface and its address will be not be used currently in the network
• For public and virtual addresses register with an associated network name in DNS.
  If you do not have an available DNS, then record the all network names and interface names in the system hosts file (/etc/hosts)
• Ensure the Default gateway is on the same subnet as the VIP. Otherwise this can cause the VIP and listener to keep restarting

Hope this blog will provide you some information about Network requirements for RAC setup.

ITIL V3 Certification

Hi Friends, hope you are doing well.

Recently I cleared ITIL V3 Foundation Certification exam. It is quite easy. All you need to do is attend the training, read the training materials thoroughly, solve 2-3 practice papers and then take the certification exam.

Here I am going to give an overview about ITIL, Examination Institute, Testing centre, How to register for exam, Credit values, ITIL Logo and ITIL Pins.

What is ITIL?

ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library) is a public framework that describes Best Practice in IT Service Management. It is the most widely accepted approach to IT Service Management in the world.
The initial version of ITIL consisted of a library of 31 associated books covering all aspects of IT service provision. This initial version was revised and replaced by seven books and this version is known as ITIL V2. In 2007, ITIL V2 was superseded by an enhanced and consolidated third version of ITIL, consisting of five core books. This version is known as ITIL V3. The five core books cover each stage of the Service Life Cycle i.e. Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operation and Continual Service Improvement.

EXIN is the leading Examination Institute for ITIL certification:
EXIN, the Examination Institute for Information Science, is a global, independent IT examination provider offering qualification programs for ISO/IEC 20000, ISO/IEC 27000, ITIL, MOF, ASL, BiSL, TMap and SCP. It's EXIN's mission to improve the quality of the IT sector, the IT professionals and the IT users, by means of independent testing and certification.

EXIN testing centers for ITIL exam:
The global Testing Centers of both Pearson VUE and Prometric, provide on line testing services for several EXIN Foundation exams in various languages. The examination process via these Testing Centers, situated all over the world, is fully automated and the candidate will receive the result immediately after having taken the computer based multiple choice examination.

How to register for exam:
You only need to access http://www.pearsonvue.com/ or http://www.prometric.com/ to arrange an examination. This can be done up to 24 hours before an examination. You will need to use a credit card.
OR
You can visit to any Prometric testing centre and register for exam.

Training providers:
Click on below link to search for a training provider in youur region.
http://www.exin-exams.com/training-providers/search-training-providers.aspx

Discontinuation ITIL V2:
The introduction of ITIL V3 exams has led to the question about a possible stop date for ITIL-V2. EXIN has received a considerable amount of requests from customers asking for an extension of the ITIL V2 lifespan. The ITIL Qualification Board is now considering the discontinuation of ITIL V2.

ITIL Logo:
The internationally recognized ITIL-logo has adorned the covers of ITIL books for years. The four fields of familiar diamond represent the four main subject areas in ITIL: Service Support, Service Delivery, Infrastructure Management and IT Management. However, the square fields around a central area 'service provision' also symbolize the four parties involved in the ITIL standard: in the center ITIL literature (with OGC as owner), around the center the users (represented by ITSMF), the examination institutions (e.g. EXIN) and finally the trainers and suppliers of ITIL related services.

ITIL Pins:
It has been a well-known tradition for years that passing an EXIN exam in IT Service Management (based on ITIL) does not only result in a certificate, but is also accompanied by the presentation of a metal pin which can be attached to a collar or lapel.

ITIL V2 Pins:

Green, for the Foundation Certificate
Blue, for the Practitioner's Certificate
Red, for with the Manager's Certificate


ITIL V3 Pins:
ITIL V3 Pins from left to right:
Foundation, Capability, Lifecycle, Expert, and Master
Note: At this time, only the Foundation, Capability, Lifecycle and Expert pins are available.

Credit values
Each V3 certification has been assigned a numerical credit value. Credit values across all levels can be accumulated to achieve the required minimum twenty two (22) in order for a candidate to achieve the ITIL Expert level achievement certification. Once the ITIL Expert Level is achieved, a candidate can pursue the Advanced Level certification, which is currently in development.

Credit profile

Hope this blog will provide you some information about ITIL V3 Certification.

How to create Notification Rules in OEM 10g

Overview:

Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM) 10g can send the Email Notifications to administrators when an alert is occurred. Alerts are notifications when particular metrics thresholds are crossed. For example, when a tablespace becomes 97 percent full this can be considered undesirable and have Oracle to generate a critical alert.

Notification Rules are defined sets of alerts on metrics. Metrics are automatically applied to a target when it is discovered by Enterprise Manager.

Enterprise Manager provides a series of default rules. We can modify these default rules or we can create the new rules to monitor only specific metrics for specific targets.

Here I am going to explain “How to create a Notification rule in OEM 10g”.

Please click the below link for Oracle document that explains “How to set up Email Notifications for alerts in OEM”. This setup involves mail server, user accounts and email account configuration in OEM.
http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/oem/pdf/BestPractices-Notifications.pdf


Steps to create a Notification Rule in OEM 10g:

Step 1:

Open OEM console and click “Preferences” link at top-right corner.

Step 2:
Click on “Rules” link on left hand side.


Step 3:
Click on “Create” button on top.

Step 4:

Enter Rule Name, Description and target type that needs to be monitored (e.g. Database Instance).

Select Make Public if you want to allow other administrators to subscribe to this rule.

Select option:
“Apply rule to all Database Instance Targets” if you want to monitor all the registered database instances in OEM with this rule.
“Apply rule to specified Database Instance Targets” if you want to monitor only specific Database Instances. On selecting this option a button with label as “Add” will appear on screen. Click on “Add” button to select specific database instances.

After completing configurations in “General” tab, the screen looks as below:

Step 5:
Similar to Step 4, configure the Availability, Metrics, Policies and Jobs pages.

Step 6:
Click on the last tab “Methods”.
This page displays the E-Mail Notification Method and other available notification methods setup in OEM.
Select the option “Send Me E-mail”
If you select option “Send Repeat notifications for E-mail”, OEM can send E-mail notifications repeatedly for all metric alerts and availability states.

Step 7:
Click “OK”.
The new Notification rule is created. It can be seen in rules list.