Standby config

Question

Hi everybody
this is physical standby ,i want to know one thing is that what is right purpose of this physical standby database,
because i want to check that ,is the changes are made in primary database making the changes in standby database ?
the step that is follows are:
startup nomount pfile='/u01/standby.ora';
alter database mount standby database ;
alter database recover managed standby database disconnect from session;
then next i have made the changes in primary database ,i just create a table & insert some data and next i made
alter system archive log current;
archives are applying to standby database ,but i want to make standby database read only by using this command
select open_mode from v$database;
open_mode
MOUNTED
ALTER DATABASE OPEN READ ONLY ;
ORA 01154 DATABASE BUSY,OPEN,CLOSE,MOUNT AND DISMOUNT NOT ALLOWED HERE
i also want to check on standby database
select * from stadby;
ora 01219 database not open quries allowed on fixed table /view only
i want to open or want to check that is changes are made
so pls anybody guide me for this

Answer 1

Hi..
Do the following steps on the standby
1. alter database recover managed standby database cancel;
2. alter database open read only;
3. select * from <owner>.<table_name>;
After performing the select, terminate all the active user sessions and then
ALTER DATABASE RECOVER MANAGED STANDBY DATABASE DISCONNECT FROM SESSION;
For reference
[http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B10501_01/server.920/a96653/manage_ps.htm#1017113]
HTH
Anand