Conversion from single instance database to rac database

we can follow any of the following methods to convert a single instance database to rac database

using export and import method

using templates

using RMAN

using rconfig utility

In all them these methods, we have to install and configure rac setup before attempting to convert
single instance database to rac database

Using export and import method.

In this method we create an empty database using the DBCA utility from the rac environment

once the empty databases created we can take the full database export from the source the database
and import it on the empty target database which we created.

Using templates

in this method we use the templates option given in DBCA. From the source database create a template
with the data using DBCA. Copy the template file created to the target server which is our RAC .

Start the DBCA on the RAC environment, select template which we copied from the source database and
create a new rac database based on the template.

Using RMAN.

While using the RMAN , the suitable method is to use a clone database option.

As explained in this example create the backup on the target database.

Copy the backups to the target server

Startup and auxiiliary instance on the target instance

Clone the source database to the target database.

Startup the additional instances based on the number of nodes in the rac setup.
Add the database instances and the database to the cluster by using srvctl utility

RMAN is the preferred method in the following conditions

the source database size is huge

the source database is located on a different server

the source database on a local filesystem and we wanted to use ASM on the target database.

Conversion using RCONFIG utility

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1) Preferred method if the source database is on the same RAC server

2) The database and the database instance is added to the Cluster

3) Rconfig utility is located at $ORACLE_HOME/bin

4) Rconfig utility’s input is an xml , which contains the information of the source databases and the
target server details

5) The sample xml file location is $ORACLE_HOME/assistants/rconfig/samplexmls/

6) Two sample files are available in this location

1) ConvertToRAC_PolicyManaged.xml

2) ConvertToRAC_AdminManaged.xml

Working with rconfig utility

We can run the rconfig utility in 3 mode .

1) Verification mode

2) Verify and convert

3) Convert ( perform the conversion with out verification )

 This is accomplished by specifying ‘verify’ option in the xml input file

 YES: Checks to ensure all the prerequisites for converting a single-instance database to an
RAC database have been met before the conversion process starts
 NO: Bypasses the prerequisite checks and starts the conversion straightaway
 ONLY: Only prerequisite checks are performed; no actual conversion will take place

Steps

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1) Make a copy of the existing ConvertToRAC_AdminManaged.xml to another file

2) Change the parameters as required

3) $ rconfig ConvertToRAC_AdminManaged.xml

4) Check the log file for any errors

Behind Screen

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On the behind screen, rconfig does the following things

 Migrating the database to ASM, if specified

 Creating RAC database instances on all specified nodes in the cluster
 Configuring the Listener and NetService entries
 Registering services with CRS
 Starting up the instances and listener on all nodes