Oracle - R.A.C Installation

Oracle RAC Installation — Colorful Guide

🛠️ Oracle RAC Installation Guide 🎨

Installing Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC) requires careful preparation and step-by-step execution. This colorful guide simplifies the RAC installation process for DBAs who want to achieve a robust, highly available environment.

📋 Pre-Installation Checklist

  • ✅ Minimum of two servers (nodes) with supported OS.
  • ✅ Shared storage configured (ASM or SAN).
  • ✅ Public, private (interconnect), and virtual IP addresses.
  • ✅ DNS or GNS for node name resolution.
  • ✅ Oracle Grid Infrastructure software.

🔧 Step 1 — Configure Operating System

Ensure the operating system is properly tuned for RAC installation:

  • Set kernel parameters as per Oracle documentation.
  • Create required OS groups (oinstall, dba, etc.).
  • Configure SSH equivalence between cluster nodes.
  • Disable firewall and SELinux (if required).

📦 Step 2 — Install Oracle Grid Infrastructure

  1. Run the Oracle Universal Installer (OUI) for Grid Infrastructure.
  2. Choose Install and Configure Oracle Grid Infrastructure for a Cluster.
  3. Provide node names, public/private IPs, and SCAN name.
  4. Configure ASM for shared storage.
  5. Complete installation and verify Clusterware is running using crsctl stat res -t.

💾 Step 3 — Install Oracle RAC Database Software

  1. Run the OUI for Oracle Database software installation.
  2. Select Oracle Real Application Clusters Database Installation.
  3. Choose all nodes for installation.
  4. Configure Oracle ASM for data storage.
  5. Complete the software installation on all cluster nodes.

🗄️ Step 4 — Create RAC Database

  1. Launch dbca (Database Configuration Assistant).
  2. Select Create Database → RAC Database.
  3. Provide database name (DB_NAME & DB_UNIQUE_NAME).
  4. Choose ASM disk groups for storage.
  5. Enable FRA (Fast Recovery Area) for backup and recovery.
  6. Finish and verify database runs across all nodes.

🚨 Troubleshooting RAC Installation

  • VIP Issues: Ensure correct DNS or GNS setup.
  • Interconnect Failures: Check private network configuration.
  • ASM Disk Problems: Verify ownership and permissions.
  • Cluster Services Not Starting: Check logs under $GRID_HOME/log.

💡 Pro Tips for Smooth Installation

  • Run cluvfy stage -pre crsinst -n node1,node2 before starting installation.
  • Keep NTP or Chrony synchronized across all nodes.
  • Use ASMlib or ASMLib replacement for stable storage management.
  • Document all IP addresses and storage mappings beforehand.

✨ Final Thoughts

Installing Oracle RAC may seem complex, but with proper planning, configuration, and validation, it becomes a smooth process. Once deployed, RAC provides a highly available, scalable, and resilient Oracle Database environment for mission-critical applications.