This topic describes special considerations for linking Oracle physical standby databases.

The Delphix Engine supports linking both physical and logical standby databases. In previous versions of the Delphix Engine, limitations were placed upon support for Oracle RAC physical standby databases in Real Time Apply mode. In version 3.0 of the Delphix Engine, these restrictions have been lifted.

Physical Standby Database Support Matrix

Level Backup Mode for SnapSync

By default, the Delphix Engine's SnapSync feature uses SCN Backup mode and is designed to not interfere with other backups that may already be in use. However, in cases where RMAN is not being used outside of the Delphix Engine, the Delphix Engine can use the Level Backup mode that improves SnapSync behavior on Oracle 11g physical standby databases. In this mode, redo apply does not have to be stopped during SnapSync. See Advanced Data Management Settings for Oracle dSources for more information about SnapSync settings.

Requirements for Using Level Backup Mode

 Customer not backing up their physical standby with RMAN:

• Set CONTROL_FILE_RECORD_KEEP_TIME to 365

 OR all of the following:

• Physical standby database running Oracle 11.2.0.2 or later version
• All RMAN backups must use tags
• RMAN CROSSCHECK commands must specify tags
• RMAN DELETE commands must specify tags
• RMAN DUPLICATE commands must specify tags
• Set CONTROL_FILE_RECORD_KEEP_TIME to 365

Stopping and Restarting Redo Apply

Oracle bug 10146187 requires stopping of redo apply before an SCN-based incremental backup can be issued. These scripts can be used as pre- and post-scripts during the dSource linking process to stop and restart Redo Apply. For more information about scripts, see Customizing Oracle Management with Hook Operations

• SnapSync pre-script: stopStandbyApply.sh.template
• SnapSync post-script: startStandbyApply.sh.template

These scripts must be modified for local use, particularly in regard to whether the physical standby database operates in MOUNTED or OPEN mode.

Linking and Provisioning a Mounted Standby

For databases that are in the mounted state, the Delphix database user account must be SYS (having the SYSDBA role), SYSBACKUP (having the SYSBACKUP role) or SYSDG (having the SYSDG role).

However, for an open standby (Active Data Guard) database, only a regular database user account is required.

Connecting to a mounted standby with a SYS user account requires that the mounted standby be configured with a password file. Delphix does not capture the password file during SnapSync, and for this reason cannot provision or sync validate a database with a SYS user. A secondary, regular database user account can be specified through either the Delphix Admin application or CLI. This database user will then be used to connect to the database during provisioning and validated sync. Note that the SYS user is still required to perform snapshots of the source database.

In the Delphix Admin application, the non-SYS user can be specified from within the Add dSource wizard, or on the back of the Oracle dSource Card after linking.

Setting the Non-Sys User on the Oracle dSource Card

1. Create the delphix_db user in the primary database.
2. Log into the Delphix Admin application using delphix_admin credentials.
3. In the  Manage  menu, select  Databases > My Databases .
4. From the Configuration tab select the Oracle dSource for which you want to add a non-SYS user.
5. Click the dSource's  icon to open the dSource information pane.
6. Click the Edit button next to Non-SYS User.
7. Enter a non-SYS user and credentials that exist on the standby.
8. Click the Accept button to save this user and associated credentials.

The non-SYS user will be used to connect to all VDBs provisioned from snapshots of this dSource that are created after the non-Sys user has been set.

Updating repository for applied patches with the Command Line Interface

1. Select the repository of the database

   delphix> repository select '/opt/app/oracle/product/11.2.0.2/db_1'

2. Execute the update command.

   delphix repository ''/opt/app/oracle/product/11.2.0.2/db_1''> update

3. Set appliedPatches to list of current patches applied to repository.

   delphix repository ''/opt/app/oracle/product/11.2.0.2/db_1''update *> set appliedPatches=13075226

4. Commit the operation. 

   delphix repository ''/opt/app/oracle/product/11.2.0.2/db_1''update *> commit

Setting the Non-Sys User with the Command Line Interface

1. Select the source config of the mounted standby.

   delphix> sourceconfig select pomme

2. Execute the update command.

   delphix sourceconfig "pomme"> update

3. Set the nonSysUser and nonSysCredentials to a non-SYS user that exists on the standby.

   delphix sourceconfig "pomme" update *> set nonSysUser=<non-sys-username>
   delphix sourceconfig "pomme" update *> set nonSysCredentials.type=PasswordCredential
   delphix sourceconfig "pomme" update *> set nonSysCredentials.password=<non-sys-password>

4. Commit the operation. 

   delphix sourceconfig "pomme" update *> commit
   

Related Links

• Linking an Oracle Data Source
• Advanced Data Management Settings for Oracle dSources