Migrate Exadata X3 to Exadata X8 using Standby

Here are some pre-configuration high-level steps that one should consider before installing an Exadata X8 system:

Verify that the hardware and software meet the minimum requirements for Exadata X8. One can find the hardware and software requirements in the Oracle Exadata Database Machine Installation Guide: https://docs.oracle.com/en/engineered-systems/exadata-database-machine/exadata-database-machine-installation-guide/

Review the Exadata X8 installation documentation and familiarize yourself with the installation process. One can find the installation documentation here: https://docs.oracle.com/en/engineered-systems/exadata-database-machine/exadata-database-machine-installation-guide/

Plan the network configuration for the Exadata X8 system. This includes configuring the Ethernet and InfiniBand networks, assigning IP addresses and hostnames, and setting up DNS and NTP servers. One can find detailed information on network configuration in the Oracle Exadata Database Machine Installation and Configuration Guide: Network Configuration: https://docs.oracle.com/en/engineered-systems/exadata-database-machine/exadata-database-machine-installation-configuration-guide/network-configuration.html

Prepare the existing Oracle databases for migration to Exadata X8. This includes identifying any database features or configurations that may need to be modified, such as database parameters or storage settings. One can find information on migrating databases to Exadata in the Oracle Exadata Database Machine Migration Guide: https://docs.oracle.com/en/engineered-systems/exadata-database-machine/exadata-database-machine-migration-guide/

Ensure that one have the necessary administrative privileges to install and configure the Exadata X8 system. This includes the ability to install software, configure hardware, and create and manage database users and roles.

If one plan to use Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) with Exadata X8, one should also review the OCI documentation and familiarize yourself with the OCI console and API. One can find the OCI documentation here: https://docs.oracle.com/en-us/iaas/Content/home.htm

These are just a few of the pre-configuration steps that one should consider before installing an Exadata X8 system. I would recommend consulting the Oracle documentation for a more comprehensive list of pre-installation tasks.

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Install and configure the Exadata X8 hardware components, including the database nodes, storage cells, InfiniBand switches, and PDUs.

Oracle Exadata Database Machine Installation Guide: https://docs.oracle.com/en/engineered-systems/exadata-database-machine/exadata-database-machine-installation-guide/

Configure the network settings, including IP addresses, subnet masks, and hostnames for the database nodes and storage cells.

Oracle Exadata Database Machine Installation and Configuration Guide: Network Configuration: https://docs.oracle.com/en/engineered-systems/exadata-database-machine/exadata-database-machine-installation-configuration-guide/network-configuration.html

Install and configure the Oracle Linux operating system on the database nodes and storage cells.

Oracle Exadata Database Machine Installation and Configuration Guide: Operating System Installation: https://docs.oracle.com/en/engineered-systems/exadata-database-machine/exadata-database-machine-installation-configuration-guide/operating-system-installation.html

Install the Oracle Database software on the database nodes and configure the Oracle Grid Infrastructure.

Oracle Grid Infrastructure Installation Guide: https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/19/cwlin/oracle-grid-infrastructure-installation-guide-for-linux.html

Configure the Exadata Storage Software on the storage cells, including setting up the Exadata Storage Server Software.

Oracle Exadata Database Machine Installation and Configuration Guide: Storage Configuration: https://docs.oracle.com/en/engineered-systems/exadata-database-machine/exadata-database-machine-installation-configuration-guide/storage-configuration.html

Please note that the above steps are high-level and there may be additional configuration steps or considerations specific to the environment. I would recommend consulting with an Oracle certified professional for assistance with setting up an Exadata X8 system.

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The commands to create a standby database on Exadata X8 while the primary database is on Exadata X3:

On the primary database on Exadata X3, create a standby control file:

sql

Code

SQL> ALTER DATABASE CREATE STANDBY CONTROLFILE AS '<file path>';

Replace <file path> with the full path and file name for the standby control file.

Copy the standby control file to the Exadata X8 system:

Use a file transfer utility, such as scp or sftp, to copy the standby control file from the Exadata X3 system to the Exadata X8 system.

On the Exadata X8 system, create a standby database using the standby control file:

sql

Code

SQL> CREATE CONTROLFILE REUSE SET DATABASE <database name> RESETLOGS ARCHIVELOG;

SQL> STARTUP NOMOUNT;

SQL> ALTER DATABASE SET STANDBY DATABASE TO '<primary database TNS alias>'';

SQL> ALTER DATABASE MOUNT STANDBY DATABASE;

Replace <database name> with the name of the standby database, and <primary database TNS alias> with the TNS alias for the primary database on the Exadata X3 system.

Configure the standby database to receive redo data from the primary database:

Configure the necessary Oracle Data Guard parameters, such as the LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_2 parameter, to allow the standby database to receive redo data from the primary database.

Start the managed recovery process:

sql

Code

SQL> ALTER DATABASE RECOVER MANAGED STANDBY DATABASE DISCONNECT;

This will start the managed recovery process, which will apply redo data from the primary database to the standby database.

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To convert the database on Exadata X3 as the primary and create a standby database on Exadata X8, perform the following steps:

Convert the database on Exadata X3 to a primary database: On the Exadata X3 system, log in to the database as a privileged user and issue the following command to convert the database to a primary database:

sql

Code

SQL> ALTER DATABASE COMMIT TO SWITCHOVER TO PRIMARY;

This will prepare the database for a switchover to a primary role.

Create a standby database on Exadata X8: On the Exadata X8 system, create a new standby database using Oracle Data Guard. This can be done by following the same steps as for creating a standby database on Exadata X3.

Configure the standby database on Exadata X8: Once the standby database is created, configure it to receive redo data from the primary database on Exadata X3. This involves setting up a network connection between the two systems and configuring the necessary Oracle Data Guard parameters.

Start the standby database: Once the standby database is configured, start it up and make sure that it is synchronized with the primary database on Exadata X3.

Switchover to the new primary database: On the Exadata X3 system, issue the following command to perform a switchover to the new primary database on Exadata X8:

sql

Code

SQL> ALTER DATABASE COMMIT TO SWITCHOVER TO STANDBY;

This will switch the roles of the two databases, making the standby database on Exadata X8 the new primary database.

Verify the switchover: Once the switchover is complete, verify that the new primary database is functioning correctly and that all data is being replicated properly to the standby database on Exadata X8.

Delete the old primary database: Once the switchover is complete and verified, the old primary database on Exadata X3 can be deleted or repurposed as needed.

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