| Lesson 2 | Preparation for this module |
| Objective | Prepare the Environment that you need in order to create a Database |
Oracle Database Environment Preparation
If you intend to work through the process of creating a database, there are some things that you should make sure of before you proceed through this module. Some of you may be taking this course without access to the Oracle software. In that case, you do not need to worry about any of the preperation described in this lesson. You should still work through this module. It contains important information that you need to know as a DBA. Assuming that you do intend to work through the process of creating a database, please make sure of the following:
The easiest way to prepare for this module would be to get a copy of Oracle for Windows and install it, taking all the default options. The Windows installation is very easy to do, as compared with UNIX, and using Windows should enable you to use some machine other than your production server for this course. If you want to use UNIX, you will need an experienced DBA to help you install the software, and to help you set up the proper access and permissions that you need in order to create a database. Before continuing, be sure you have completed the necessary steps listed above.
- If you haven't yet installed the Oracle database software on your system, you should do that now.
- Be sure that you know the passwords for the
SYSTEMandSYSusers - Make sure you have access to a text editor such as vi (UNIX) or NotePad (Windows NT), and that you know how to use it.
The easiest way to prepare for this module would be to get a copy of Oracle for Windows and install it, taking all the default options. The Windows installation is very easy to do, as compared with UNIX, and using Windows should enable you to use some machine other than your production server for this course. If you want to use UNIX, you will need an experienced DBA to help you install the software, and to help you set up the proper access and permissions that you need in order to create a database. Before continuing, be sure you have completed the necessary steps listed above.
Oracle Inventory Directory
The Oracle inventory directory stores the inventory of Oracle software installed on the server.
This directory is required and is shared among all installations of Oracle software on a server. When you first install Oracle, the installer
checks to see whether there is an existing OFA-compliant directory structure in the format /u[01-09]/app. If such a
directory exists, then the installer creates an Oracle inventory directory, such as
/u01/app/oraInventory
If the ORACLE_BASE variable is defined for the oracle operating system (OS) user, then the installer creates a directory for the location of Oracle inventory, as follows:
ORACLE_BASE/../oraInventory
For example, if ORACLE_BASE is defined as /ora01/app/oracle, then the installer defines the location of Oracle inventory as
/ora01/app/oraInventory
If the installer does not find a recognizable OFA-compliant directory structure or an ORACLE_BASE variable, then the location for Oracle inventory is created under the HOME directory of the oracle user. For instance, if the HOME directory is /home/oracle, then the location of Oracle inventory is
/home/oracle/oraInventory
