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Oracle9i Installation Planning

Oracle9i Database

The Oracle9i Database is an object-oriented relational database management system. It may be installed in one of the three installation types: Enterprise Edition, Standard Edition or Custom installation.

• Enterprise Edition: If you select this type, then the Oracle Universal Installer installs a preconfigured database, networking services, licensable Oracle Options, database configuration and management tools, the Oracle Enterprise Manager framework, including the Oracle Management Server, Oracle Intelligent Agent, Console, and licensable Management Packs, Oracle Utilities and online documentation. It also contains those products most commonly used for data warehousing and transaction processing.

• Standard Edition: If you select this type, then the Oracle Universal Installer installs a preconfigured database, networking services, the Oracle Enterprise Manager framework including the Oracle Management Server, Oracle Intelligent Agent, Console, Standard Management Packs, and Oracle Utilities.

• Custom: If you select this type, then the Oracle Universal Installer prompts you to select individual components to be installed from the components available with Enterprise Edition installation.

Oracle9i Client

Oracle9i Client is one of the front-end database applications that connects to the database through one or more application servers. There are three Client installation types: Administrator, Runtime and Custom.

• Administrator: If you select this type, then the Oracle Universal Installer installs the Oracle Enterprise Manager Console and licensable Management Packs, networking services, utilities, basic client software, the OLAP API, and online documentation.

• Runtime: If you select this type, then the Oracle Universal Installer installs networking services and support files.

• Custom: If you select this type, then the Oracle Universal Installer prompts you to select individual components to be installed from the components available with Administrator and Runtime.

Oracle9i Management and Integration

Oracle Management Server is a central processing and distributed system for management tasks. It enables distributed control between clients and managed nodes. Oracle9i Integration Server is a software suite that provides internet and intranet tools to integrate applications within and across organizations.

There are three Management and Integration installation types: Oracle Management Server, Oracle Internet Directory, and Custom.

• Oracle Management Server: If you select this type, then the Oracle Universal Installer installs the Oracle Management Server, Console and Management Packs. The Management Server processes all system management tasks and administers the distribution of these tasks to Intelligent Agents on managed nodes across the enterprise. In addition, the Installer installs basic client software and online documentation.

• Oracle Internet Directory: If you select this type, then the Oracle Universal Installer installs a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)-enabled Oracle Internet Directory Server, LDAP-enabled client tools and the Oracle Internet Directory database schema.

• Custom: If you select this type, then the Oracle Universal Installer prompts you to select individual components to be installed from the components available with Oracle Management Server, Oracle Internet Directory, and Oracle Integration Server.

Oracle HTTP Server Configuration Assistant

The Oracle HTTP Server Configuration Assistant starts the HTTP listener in non-SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) on port 7777. If port 7777 is not available, the Oracle HTTP Server Configuration Assistant defaults to port 7778.

Database Configuration Assistant

Database Configuration Assistant enables you to copy an Oracle9i preconfigured database, or create a fully customized database to match your selected environment and database configuration. It starts automatically after Oracle9i software has been installed during Oracle9i installation.

When installing Oracle9i software using any database configuration option other than the Custom and Software Only, the Oracle Universal Installer prompts for a global database name and System Identifier (SID). After Oracle9i installation is completed, the Database Configuration Assistant uses this information to create the database. In addition, the Database Configuration Assistant automatically configures the static service information for the Oracle9i database in the listener.ora file.

The following list provides descriptions of database configurations:

• General Purpose configuration: If you select this option with an Enterprise Edition or Standard Edition installation, the Database Configuration Assistant creates a preconfigured, ready-to-use, multipurpose database with the following:

  • Default initialization parameters using server parameter file and Automatic Undo Management

  • Automatic installation and configuration of Oracle Options and interMedia

  • Advanced Replication capabilities

  • Database configuration of dedicated server mode

  • Archiving mode of NOARCHIVELOG

• Transaction Processing option: If you select this, the Database Configuration Assistant creates a preconfigured, ready-to-use OLTP database.

• Data Warehouse option: If you select this, the Database Configuration Assistant creates a database that is fully enabled for data warehousing applications. The OLAP option, consisting of support for analytic workspaces and the OLAP catalog metadata repository (CWMLite), is included in the database.

• Customized installation option: If you select this, the Database Configuration Assistant guides you in creating a fully customized database. You can choose to configure options, Oracle Text components and advanced replication either automatically or manually.

  Select this option only if you are experienced with advanced database creation procedures. You will need to customize some or all of the following settings or parameters:

  • Data, control, and redo log file settings

  • Tablespace and extent sizes

  • Database memory parameters

  • Archiving modes, formats and destinations

  • Trace file destinations

  • Character set values

• Software Only option: If you select this, the Oracle Universal Installer installs only Oracle9i software. Database Configuration Assistant does not start after installation, and no preconfigured database is installed.

  
  

  See Also: "Using Database Configuration Assistant" for more information on running Database Configuration Assistant in a standalone mode. Oracle9i Globalization and National Language Guide for more information on database character sets.

  
  

Database Upgrade Assistant

Database Upgrade Assistant enables you to upgrade an existing database to Oracle9i when you have completed an Oracle9i installation. You must complete a number of steps prior to upgrading with Database Upgrade Assistant. These include performing a full backup of your current production database, and reviewing required planning and backup preparations prior to beginning an upgrade.

Oracle Enterprise Manager Configuration Assistant

Oracle Enterprise Manager Configuration Assistant configures the Oracle Management Server on a local system. It can create, upgrade or delete a repository, and edit existing configurations. A repository is a set of database tables that must be located in any Oracle database accessible to the Oracle Management Server. The Oracle Management Server uses a repository to store all system data, application data, and information on the state of managed nodes distributed throughout the environment.

Oracle Internet Directory Configuration Assistant

Oracle Internet Directory Configuration Assistant configures the Oracle Internet Directory on a local system. The configuration assistant automatically starts the Oracle Internet Directory Server. To make it easier to start the Oracle Internet Directory Server, the assistant loads the default Oracle Schema and Oracle Context, and creates a default subscriber Directory Information Tree.

Oracle Net Configuration Assistant

Oracle Net Configuration Assistant configures the Oracle client/server network environment. It modifies the configuration files located in the default
$ORACLE_HOME/network/admin directory. Review the Oracle Net Configuration Assistant procedure for your product installation choice.

Oracle9i Database Enterprise Edition and Standard Edition Installation

For Enterprise and Standard installations, the Oracle Net Configuration Assistant performs the following task:

• Configures the Oracle Net server environment by configuring the following files:

  • listener.ora: Oracle Net Services configures a listener with the name and protocol address you select. Oracle Net Services also configures a protocol address and static service information for external procedures.

  • sqlnet.ora: Oracle Net Services configures the server's network domain as the default domain, which is the same as the network domain of your system. The domain is automatically appended to any unqualified net service name given in the connect string. The sqlnet.ora file also configures the naming methods the server uses to resolve a name to connect descriptor.

  • tnsnames.ora: Oracle Net Services creates a net service name entry to use for external procedure connections.

Oracle9i Database Custom Installation

For Custom Database installation, Oracle Net Configuration Assistant guides you to:

• Complete directory server usage configuration. This requires that you enter a directory server type and location and specify which Oracle Context should be used by default. You are prompted for this information only if you have never configured the Oracle home directory for directory service usage.

• Create listeners to use for connecting to the database.

• Select the naming method to use when connecting to the local database. By default, the local naming method is selected. In most circumstances, Oracle Corporation recommends that you use this default. You also have the option to use one of the following naming methods: directory naming (if directory usage configuration was completed), Oracle Names, host naming, Network Information System naming, and Distributed Computing Environment's Cell Directory Service naming (listed only if /instcomp aso is passed from the Installer).

  Oracle Net Configuration Assistant automatically creates your Oracle Net server environment. This affects the following files:

  • listener.ora: Oracle Net Services configures a listener with the name and protocol address you select. Oracle Net Services also configures a protocol address and static service information for external procedures.

  • sqlnet.ora: Oracle Net Services configures the server's network domain as the default domain, which is the same as the network domain of your system. The domain is automatically appended to any unqualified net service name given in the connect string. The sqlnet.ora file also configures the naming methods the server uses to resolve a name to connect descriptor.

  • tnsnames.ora: Oracle Net Services creates a net service name entry to use for external procedure connections.

  • ldap.ora: Oracle Net Services configures parameters to access the directory server.

    
    

    See Also: Oracle9i Net Services Administrator's Guide for more information on installing, naming methods, service name configuration, and client configuration.

    
    

Client Installation

For Oracle9i Administrator and Runtime Client installations, the local or directory naming method is selected based on whatever you choose to use a directory service. For Oracle9i Custom Client installation, Oracle Net Configuration Assistant prompts you to:

Complete directory usage configuration if you have a directory server. Select a naming method to use for accessing the database.

• Local naming specifies a net service name to resolve network addresses. This name is configured and stored in configuration files on each client.

• Directory naming specifies a directory server to resolve net service names and database services. Clients then use the information registered with the directory service to connect to Oracle9i databases.

Depending on the naming method you select, you are prompted to provide additional information.

Oracle Net Configuration Assistant then creates your Oracle Net client environment by configuring the following files:

• sqlnet.ora: configures the naming methods a client uses to resolve a name to a connect descriptor. The Assistant configures the client's domain as the default domain. This domain is automatically appended to any unqualified net service name given in the connect string.

• tnsnames.ora: configures a net service name if using local naming.

• ldap.ora: is configured if you chose to use a directory server.

Oracle Workflow Configuration Assistant

The Oracle Workflow Configuration Assistant automatically creates an Oracle Workflow database account to which the Oracle Workflow database objects are installed. Oracle Workflow is only installed automatically if you install it at the same time as you create your database. If you run the Oracle Universal Installer to install Oracle Workflow on an existing database, then the Oracle Universal Installer only copies the Oracle Workflow files to your file system; it does not automatically run those files to perform the installation. You must manually run an installation/upgrade script to complete the installation. This precaution helps ensure that any previous installation of Oracle Workflow in an existing database is upgraded correctly.

Upgrading Existing Oracle Databases

Upgrading is the process of installing a new database server version and using the Database Upgrade Assistant or the Export/Import utility to convert an existing database to the new version. Upgrade if you want to test a new installation with a copy of your old database prior to bringing it online in a production environment.

Oracle8 release 8.0.6 or later databases and Oracle8i release 8.1.5 or later databases can be upgraded directly to Oracle9i. Oracle8 databases earlier than 8.0.6 must be upgraded to Oracle8 release 8.0.6, and then to Oracle9i. Use the Database Upgrade Assistant when upgrading your data.

All Oracle8i versions are supported for upgrading to Oracle9i release 2.

Upgrade Issues

If you have an existing Oracle installation, Oracle Corporation recommends that you install Oracle9i 9.2.0.1.0 into a new Oracle home directory.

It is not possible to have more than one Oracle release in the same Oracle home. If you must install Oracle9i into an Oracle home directory that contains previously installed Oracle8i products, then use the Oracle Universal Installer to remove the previously installed products before beginning the new installation.

Installing in Character Mode

You cannot perform an Oracle9i installation using character mode. You can, however, configure the Oracle Universal Installer to perform a non-interactive ("silent") installation. Non-interactive mode can be run directly from an X Window System console, or through an X terminal or PC X terminal on a remote system.

Writing To File Systems

Oracle9i Server must be able to verify that writes to a disk were completed successfully. NFS file systems may not be able to guarantee that writes to a disk were completed successfully, and this may lead to possible data file corruption. Oracle Corporation recommends that you do not have data files located on NFS mount points unless your storage vendor and storage device are listed in the Oracle Storage Compatibility Program list. This list can be accessed from the following Web site:

http://www.oracle.com/ip/deploy/database/storage/

Using Hummingbird Exceed X Window Emulator

An X Window emulator is a software package that emulates the X Window System, which is a network-based graphics window system that is the industry standard windowing system for UNIX systems. If you intend to install Oracle9i on a server from a client terminal whose operating system is a non-UNIX system, such as Microsoft Windows, then you must obtain an X Window emulator.

If you use the Hummingbird Exceed X Window emulator while installing and using Oracle9i, then set the window manager to run in Native mode so that Microsoft Windows functions as the window manager. See your Exceed documentation for instructions on configuring the window manager.

The following are common problems with the Hummingbird Exceed X Window emulator:

• Exceed does not handle screen coordinates correctly. The Installer window and related Installer dialogs and configuration assistants can encounter display problems when run through the emulator. If Exceed causes display problems, then exit the entire X Window session and start a new session.

• For some dialog windows the text fields appear truncated when viewed through Exceed and display correctly when viewed through a native X Window on a UNIX system.

  To correct any problems with hidden dialog fields, perform the following steps:

  1. Select the xconfig application under the Exceed Program Group from the Windows Start Menu.

  2. Select the Fonts applet.

  3. Select the Font Database button in the Font Settings dialog.

  4. Deselect the Automatic Font Substitution option in the Font Database dialog.

  5. Select the Add… button.

     The Add Font Directory dialog is displayed.

  6. Select the Server radio button in the Add Font Directory dialog.

  7. Enter the host name for your machine in the Host Name field in the Add Font Server dialog.

  8. Leave all other entries at their default settings.

  9. Select OK.

  10. Select Close on all dialogs to save the settings.