How standby database works

Question

Hi!!
I have created standby database (testcat) for primary database (test) using Duplicate Command of RMAN on same server (windows XP) on Oracle 11.2 . I know how to create standby database But i don't know how and when standby database works. I checked init.ora file of standby database it contains all parameters prefixed with *. as follow
*.db_create_file_dest='F:\app\Administrator\oradata'
*.db_domain=''
*.db_recovery_file_dest='F:\app\Administrator\flash_recovery_area'
*.db_recovery_file_dest_size=10737418240
*.db_unique_name='testcat'
*.DB_NAME='test'
*.control_files="D:\APP\ORACLE\ORADATA\TESTCAT\CONTROLFILE\CONTROL_STAND1.CTL‘'
While init.ora file of primary database contains entries like
db_create_file_dest=F:\app\Administrator\oradata
db_recovery_file_dest=F:\app\Administrator\flash_recovery_area
db_recovery_file_dest_size=4039114752
control_files="F:\APP\ADMINISTRATOR\ORADATA\TEST\CONTROLFILE\O1_MF_8TXW6QN0_.CTL"
So I want to know is
          1. IS  there any difference between  parameter that start with .* and start without .*
          2. Can i set db_create_file_dest parameter in init.ora of standby database to another location.
           3. How redo log will be applied to standby database when I run ALTER DATABASE RECOVER ..... command
          4. where archived log files of standby database will stored?

Answer 1

1. Fetch Archive Log (FAL) Client :- It requests for archived redo log files from the primary site.
That means FAL Client is required (should exist) on standby database server. Am i right here?
FAL Client is Standby database, FAL Client requre archived log from FAL Server (primary, Cascading standby database ) for Gap Resolution.
2. Fetch Archive Log (FAL) Server:- It requests for archive redo logs from FAL Client (Standby database).That means FAL Server is required (should exist) on primary database server.
If yes then, why it  is required because FAL Server request for archived redo logs from standby database while on other side standby database can not have redo logs as it runs in READ ONLY Access mode (So no DML and DDL) ?.
Also primary database will be  always one step ahead in terms of archive logs than standby database and hence there is no need to request for archived logs from stanby. Am i right here?
Yes you are right. Primary  is newer require archived log from  standby. You asked and answered.
Regards
Mahir M. Quluzade