What is Control file ?

Hi Gurus,
Please explain me that what is Control file and what was the purpose of it in SAP Oracle DataBase.
Thanks.

Hi Kalyan
What Is a Control File?
Every Oracle Database has a control file, which is a small binary file that records the physical structure of the database. The control file includes:
The database name
Names and locations of associated datafiles and redo log files
The timestamp of the database creation
The current log sequence number
Checkpoint information
The control file must be available for writing by the Oracle Database server whenever the database is open. Without the control file, the database cannot be mounted and recovery is difficult.
The control file of an Oracle Database is created at the same time as the database. By default, at least one copy of the control file is created during database creation. On some operating systems the default is to create multiple copies. You should create two or more copies of the control file during database creation. You can also create control files later, if you lose control files or want to change particular settings in the control files.
Guidelines for Control Files
This describes guidelines you can use to manage the control files for a database, and contains the following topics:
Provide Filenames for the Control Files
Multiplex Control Files on Different Disks
Back Up Control Files
Manage the Size of Control Files
Role of Control File will remain the same even when you use Oracle with SAP. Just there will be some more entries in the file.
Refer the link below as well:
http://download-east.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14231/control.htm#i1006143
Hope this should clear you doubt.
Regards
Sumit Jain
[Reward with points if useful]
Message was edited by:
Sumit Jain

Similar Messages

What data/control files to backup?

Dear All,
I can't perfom the proper backup - no room at the servers at the moment so I thought of making physical copies of datafiles and maybe control files. Though I'm not sure whether it's save or not and actually what files I have to take. Should I shutdown the database first hand?
If anyone did the same thing before please help)))
Thanks in advance
Marina

Hi,
Before planning the backup, Check for the following things.
1. Archiving mode of database(archive log or nonarchivelog).
2. How critical is the database.
If the database is in noarchivelog mode then you should shutdown the database first and then take the physical backup of All datafiles, control files and Parameter file.
If the database is in archivelog mode then you can simply take a online hot backup of the database. In the documentation you can get the method of taking hot backup.
Hope it helps.

Sqlldr and control file

Howdy:
I'm running Oracle 9i (9.0.2) on Redhat Linux 7.3.
I am trying to append data from a flat file into a
table where one of the field is timestamp(6).
The data has fractional seconds and looks like so:
[snip data]
2002-12-08 22:29:38.216712
[snip data]
I want to use sqlldr to load the data, but when
I try to create the control file, I am getting
errors telling me my method is wrong.
In my control file, I am trying to do things like:
[snip versions of the 'UPDATED' timestamp field]
* UPDATED TIMESTAMP "YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS"
* UPDATED TIMESTAMP "YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS.FFF"
* UPDATED POSITION(132:151)"TO_DATE(:UPDATED, 'YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS')"
[snip versions ...]
I am having no success.
Can someone give an example of how to create
a control file for sqlldr when defining a
timestamp field with fractional seconds six
digits past the decimal?
Thanks!
-X

--update:
--this is pretty much for my notes (as i'm
--sure i will need this info again).
--i have figured out how to fix my problem.
--re-cap:
--so, i'm running Oracle 9i (9.2.0) on Redhat Linux 7.2 as
--you know. I want to append my data from a flat file
--into a table that i've created. i also want to use SQLLDR
--to do it. i have create a bunch of scripts to do this
--and i was close - the problem was that in one of the
--fields (table) was a TIMESTAMP field and i couldn't
--figure out how to create a control file to say 'hey, there
--is a timestamp field in there and it has fractions in
--the seconds area ... 6 decimal places over'.
--so, this is what my table looks like:
[snip table]
SQL> describe hmp_dates
Name Null? Type
CONTRACT CHAR(12)
MBR_NUM CHAR(2)
DATE DATE
EVENT_ID NUMBER(38)
VALUE VARCHAR2(50)
RESULT VARCHAR2(50)
UPDATED TIMESTAMP(6) WITH TIME ZONE
USERNAME VARCHAR2(50)
CLAIM VARCHAR2(50)
[snip table]
--this is what my data looks like:
[snip data]
xxxxxxxxx |02|2000-05-31|38|\N|\N|2002-12-08 22:29:38.216712|ADMIN|\N
xxxxxxxxx | |1999-06-06|38|\N|\N|2002-12-08 22:29:38.216712|ADMIN|\N
xxxxxxxxx | |1998-12-28|38|\N|\N|2002-12-08 22:29:38.216712|ADMIN|\N
xxxxxxxxx | |1999-12-03|38|\N|\N|2002-12-08 22:29:38.216712|ADMIN|\N
[snip data]
--this is what my control file looks like:
[snip control]
LOAD DATA
INFILE '/var/local/table_backup/hmp_dates_03July2003.txt'
APPEND
INTO TABLE HMP_DATES
FIELDS TERMINATED BY '|' OPTIONALLY ENCLOSED BY '"'
CONTRACT,
MBR_NUM,
"DATE" DATE "YYYY-MM-DD",
EVENT_ID,
VALUE,
RESULT,
UPDATED TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE 'YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SSXFF', *****
USERNAME,
CLAIM
[snip control]
--please note the astrisks. that is the elfin goodness. (SSXFF to denote precision
--seconds).
--hopes this helps someone besides me.
-X

In case of a DB crash what happens to the status of the Control File

When a DB is crashed will the Control file that exists in the OS also get corrupted, What happens to the Data Files , how to recover the Control files and Data Files , the DB in case there isn't any Backup media or any Dump available on the DB.

The only one way to recover a database is to be in archivelog mode.
And if I said about recover stricto sensu, that's because even in noarchivelog mode we need to use the command recover until cancel before an open with resetlogs option, even if we haven't any redo/archive logs. That fake a recover, this is what we say a mimic recover. Which is not a recover stricto sensu like it can be the case with archivelog mode.
Nicolas.

What is the difference between data file & control file

what is the difference between data file & control file

Dear Deba s
Control file
Every Oracle Database has a control file, which is a small binary file that records the physical structure of the database. The control file includes:
The database name
Names and locations of associated datafiles and redo log files
The timestamp of the database creation
The current log sequence number
Checkpoint information
For more info look into these
[Control File Basic|http://download-east.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14231/control.htm#i1006143]
Data File
You manage Data File in your Oracle database as part of Space Management. You can extend, create, drop, and alter tablespaces.
You especially need to avoid tablespace overflow, which is when a tablespace runs out of freespace in the allocated file or files. This happens when an object requires a new extent but there is either no freespace or insufficient freespace in the tablespace
For more info look into these links
[Data files |http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/98/5dd5890f32274aa884e45e736752a2/frameset.htm]
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/98/5dd5890f32274aa884e45e736752a2/frameset.htm
Hope it helps you,Revert me back if you have any queries
Assign points if helpful
Regards
Bala

Im What Control File is the Max Roles specified?

I am trying to load a database using Oracle Data Manager. The load crashes however because the maximum number of roles is exceeded at some point. I believe that I once heard from somebody that the max number of roles can be specified in some startup or control file located under $ORACLE_HOME /database. Can somebody please tell me which of the files it is and what parameter must be edited?

SQL> show parameter max_enabled_roles
check out the value
then cd $oracle_base/admin/sid/pfile/initSId.ora
set the values in UNIX envronment

GG extract - what is excessive 'control file sequential reads'?

Hi,
base SR - 3-2192225691, GG - 10.4.0.19, database - 11.2.0.1.0, running on Linux x86 64-bit
customer opened SR based on high number of control file sequential read
Top 5 Timed Foreground Events (over 13+ hrs)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Avg
wait % DB
Event Waits Time(s) (ms) time Wait Class
db file sequential read 13,843,266 80,952 6 48.3 User I/O
DB CPU 44,897 26.8
control file sequential read 12,793,822 10,978 1 6.6 System I/O
enq: TX - row lock contention 30,000 10,066 336 6.0 Applicatio
log file sync 959,602 9,276 10 5.5 Commit
However, extract traces do not appear to show any waits associated with control files. A 10046 trace has been requested but not done as of yet.
Are there any known issues we can test for, or is this expected behavior? Any further tests that could be run?
Thanks,
Steve

Steve,
There is an Oracle internal list you can use. I just sent you email on how to join.
Here's a shot in the dark: I've seen something similar with log sync waits on systems not moving a lot of data (usually a test system) and we're a little eager to get the next piece of data when at the logical end of file. That can be overcome using THREADOPTIONS EOFDELAYMS. Otherwise you'll need to start using the OGG trace commands.
Good luck,
-joe

What is the Difference between SP file , Control File , P file??

Hello Guys, I need to understand deep information abut difference btw control file , p file, sp file. I know that sp file / p file needs to start DB .
And if there is any other critical files to DB that must to be understand about if i m missing !!
Thanks In Advance

but why 2 files?Pre V9i, there was only one parameter file, called the parameter file (the initSID.ora).
9i introdued the SPFILE as a feature that allowed
a) storing parameters for multiple RAC instances (of the same database) in one parameter file, instead of separate parameter files
b) allowing updates to the parameters via SQL commands (the ALTER SYSTEM command) when the parameter file (spfile) is managed by Oracle
Both file methods still exist
a) the pfile allows compatibility with older maintenance methods, third party products etc that expect a text based parameter file
b) the pfile can be used to store parameters in a readable format
c) the pfile can be used as a backup or to create the spfile if the spfile got corrupted or was updated with an invalid value for a parameter
You should always ensure that either one of the files is available. If both files are unavailable, there are two options
1) From 11g onwards you can create the parameter file from Memory as long as the database instance is still running
b) In all versions, you can read the non default parameter values from the alert.log and manually handcraft the pfile based on a reading of the alert.log
Hemant K Chitale

Error while creating control file

hi
i am getting following error while creating controll file
QL> shutdown
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.
SQL> startup nomount
ORACLE instance started.
Total System Global Area 629145600 bytes
Fixed Size                  1250548 bytes
Variable Size             171969292 bytes
Database Buffers          452984832 bytes
Redo Buffers                2940928 bytes
SQL> @c:\study\rose\c.sql
SP2-0042: unknown command "DATAFILE" - rest of line ignored.
SP2-0734: unknown command beginning "'C:\ORACLE..." - rest of line ignored.
SP2-0734: unknown command beginning "'C:\ORACLE..." - rest of line ignored.
SP2-0734: unknown command beginning "CHARACTER ..." - rest of line ignored.
SP2-0044: For a list of known commands enter HELP
and to leave enter EXIT.
1 CREATE CONTROLFILE SET DATABASE "ROSE" RESETLOGS froce logging NOARCHIVELOG
2      MAXLOGFILES 32
3      MAXLOGMEMBERS 2
4      MAXDATAFILES 32
5      MAXINSTANCES 16
6      MAXLOGHISTORY 1752
7 LOGFILE
8 GROUP 1 'C:\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\rose\LOG1ROSE.ORA' SIZE 50M,
9    GROUP 2 'C:\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\rose\LOG2ROSE.ORA' SIZE 50M,
10   GROUP 3 'C:\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\rose\LOG06.LOG' SIZE 25M,
11*   GROUP 4 'C:\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\rose\LOG07.LOG' SIZE 25M
SQL>

CHETAN YADAV wrote:
hi
i am getting following error while creating controll file
QL> shutdown
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.
SQL> startup nomount
ORACLE instance started.
Total System Global Area 629145600 bytes
Fixed Size                  1250548 bytes
Variable Size             171969292 bytes
Database Buffers          452984832 bytes
Redo Buffers                2940928 bytes
SQL> @c:\study\rose\c.sqlWe can't debug what we can't see. And what we can't see is the contents of "c:\study\rose\c.sql".
SP2-0042: unknown command "DATAFILE" - rest of line ignored.
SP2-0734: unknown command beginning "'C:\ORACLE..." - rest of line ignored.
SP2-0734: unknown command beginning "'C:\ORACLE..." - rest of line ignored.
SP2-0734: unknown command beginning "CHARACTER ..." - rest of line ignored.
SP2-0044: For a list of known commands enter HELP
and to leave enter EXIT.
1 CREATE CONTROLFILE SET DATABASE "ROSE" RESETLOGS froce logging NOARCHIVELOG
2 MAXLOGFILES 32
3 MAXLOGMEMBERS 2
4 MAXDATAFILES 32
5 MAXINSTANCES 16
6 MAXLOGHISTORY 1752
7 LOGFILE
8 GROUP 1 'C:\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\rose\LOG1ROSE.ORA' SIZE 50M,
9 GROUP 2 'C:\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\rose\LOG2ROSE.ORA' SIZE 50M,
10 GROUP 3 'C:\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\rose\LOG06.LOG' SIZE 25M,
11* GROUP 4 'C:\oracle\product\10.2.0\oradata\rose\LOG07.LOG' SIZE 25M
SQL>

In case of Control File Failure, Create Control File cmd how get scn?

The following lines i picked from the
http://asktom.oracle.com/pls/asktom/f?p=100:11:0::::P11_QUESTION_ID:5033895918209
======================================================
1. We can use the 'alter database rename ' at mount stage to rename any datafile. Or is it not possible to rename the system datafile like this? Why?
2. What happens to the SCN information in the controlfile when a controlfile is recreated? How will the database sync the SCN with that of the datafiles?
If I issue a 'backup controlfile to <file>' at 8 am and then restore that controlfile binary backup at 10 am and try to open the database, it will give me a control file old error. I understand that it is because the SCN is not in sync. But if I issue a 'backup controlfile to trace' at 8 am and use that script to recreate a new controlfile at 10 am, why doesn't I get the error? Where does it get the SCN information then?
So what is the use of taking a binary copy of the controlfile. Looks like having a 'backup controlfile to trace' script is better than a binary backup. Do you agree? Why/whynot?
Followup August 16, 2002 - 2pm US/Eastern:
1) you could but I just always did it with the create controlfile statement.
When moving system -- I do it that way
When moving ANY OTHER tablespace -- i just offline it, move the files, rename the files online it.
2) it just happens.
The control file you create will read the files to figure out what is up.
I agree, I've never used a binary controlfile backup myself.
=========================================================
My Question- In the Point2 above "Where does it get the SCN information and how control file do SCN Sync with data files?
"

1. The CREATE CONTROLFILE reads SCNs from the DataFiles. If the
database was last shutdown, all the datafiles are "non-fuzzy" and have the same
SCN (as of the shutdown checkpoint), If the database or some of the files are from
are hot backup, you cannot open the database because the SCN of some files is
older (lower) than others -- that is why a RECOVER (DATABASE or DATAFILE) is
required.
See http://web.singnet.com.sg/~hkchital/Incomplete_Recovery_with_BackupControlfile.doc
2. I'm not sure I agree with Tom Kyte's response
"I agree, I've never used a binary controlfile backup myself. "
to the question
"So what is the use of taking a binary copy of the controlfile. Looks like having a 'backup controlfile to trace' script is better than a binary backup. Do you agree? Why/whynot?"
If you have lost your database (storage/filesystem failure) and all your datafiles are lost,
you cannot simply do a CREATE CONTROLFILE from a Trace -- because the
CREATE CONTROLFILE has to read and verify all the datafiles specified in the
CREATE statement. If you have an RMAN Repository, you can use that to restore
your database files but otherwise, the RMAN information about backups and backupsets
are in the binary controlfile.
That is why it is important to take binary controlfile backups either manually or
using RMAN or using CONFIGURE CONTROLFILE AUTOBACKUP ON.

Creation of control file

Hi friends,
I want to do homogeneous system copy.
I want to know the steps in homogeneous copy, and how to create control file from source system for target system.
And after that what activity is required .
thanks
Regards
Manoj

hi
while doing homogeneous copy sap will do some functinalaties through one sql file I think it will take control file backup and recreate it.
if u want to do manually
issue command
sql>alter database backup controlfile to trace;
look for trace file in udump dir from that file u can recreate controlfile or rename database.
before doing take complete cold backup of source.
start process with sap inst
it will do certain tasks ref in manual
let me know if u knoe some more inputs
vinod

Creation of control file in Oracle 10g

Hi,
I had taken the backup of control file(backup control file to trace) and edited it to change the new location of the datafile.But when i try to create the Control file(Startup nomount,@cntrl.sql) it fails with the following error
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-01503: CREATE CONTROLFILE failed
ORA-01276: Cannot add file
/oracle/DBS/redolog/DBS/controlfile/o1_mf_2s4ho2n8_.ctl. File has an Oracle
Managed Files file name.
how can i recreate it?
Regards,
Cherry

HI,
what are you actually trying to do...
relocation of datafile or control file.
if you want to relocation of data file then go through below link
http://download-uk.oracle.com/docs/cd/B14117_01/server.101/b10739/dfiles.htm#i1006457
ORA-01276
http://www.idevelopment.info/data/Oracle/DBA_tips/Tablespaces/TBS_8.shtml
hope this helps
Taj

How to delete a single data from table using control file

I want delete a single row data from table using sql loder control file
Edited by: 977940 on Dec 19, 2012 9:00 PM

977940 wrote:
I want delete a single row data from table using sql loder control file
Edited by: 977940 on Dec 19, 2012 9:00 PMWhy?
And how do you imagine this happening with sqlloader?
The entire purpose of sqlloader is to load data (hence, the name sql*loader*) into a table from an external source. If you want to delete rows from a table, you use the sql DELETE statement.
What is the business problem you are trying to solve?

Drop a datafile from physical standby's control file

Hi,
I am trying to create a physical standby database for my production...
1) I have taken cold backup of my primary database on 18-Nov-2013...
2) I added a datafile on 19-nov-2013 ( 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF' )
3) Standby control file was generated on 20-ov-2013 (today) after shutting down and then mounting the primary database...
When i try to recover the newly setup standby using archive files, i am getting the following error (datafile added on 19th Nov is missing)
SQL> recover standby database;
ORA-00283: recovery session canceled due to errors
ORA-01110: data file 39: 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
ORA-01157: cannot identify/lock data file 39 - see DBWR trace file
ORA-01110: data file 39: 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
How to overcome this situation...
Can i delete the entry for the newly added datafile from the backup control file ?
When i tried to delete datafile using "alter tablespace SFMS_BR_DATA drop datafile 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF';", it is showing that database should be open..
SQL> alter tablespace SFMS_BR_DATA drop datafile 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
alter tablespace SFMS_BR_DATA drop datafile 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-01109: database not open
SQL> show parameter STANDBY_FILE_MANAGEMENT
NAME                                 TYPE        VALUE
standby_file_management              string      AUTO
SQL> alter system set STANDBY_FILE_MANAGEMENT=manual;
System altered.
SQL> show parameter STANDBY_FILE_MANAGEMENT
NAME                                 TYPE        VALUE
standby_file_management              string      MANUAL
SQL> alter tablespace SFMS_BR_DATA drop datafile 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
alter tablespace SFMS_BR_DATA drop datafile 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-01109: database not open
Regards,
Jibu

Jibu wrote:
Hi,
I am trying to create a physical standby database for my production...
1) I have taken cold backup of my primary database on 18-Nov-2013...
2) I added a datafile on 19-nov-2013 ( 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF' )
3) Standby control file was generated on 20-ov-2013 (today) after shutting down and then mounting the primary database..
Hi,
What is your version?
If you added new datafile or created new tablespace, take backup again for restore new created standby database.
If your standby database running well, DG configuration success, then this datafile will create on standby side, too.
Set STANDBY_FILE_MANAGEMENT=AUTO best practice.
When i try to recover the newly setup standby using archive files, i am getting the following error (datafile added on 19th Nov is missing)
SQL> recover standby database;
ORA-00283: recovery session canceled due to errors
ORA-01110: data file 39: 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
ORA-01157: cannot identify/lock data file 39 - see DBWR trace file
ORA-01110: data file 39: 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
How to overcome this situation...
Can i delete the entry for the newly added datafile from the backup control file ?
Not need any delete datafile from standby side, you must recreate standby database, or you can take RMAN backup and restore to standby side again.
When i tried to delete datafile using "alter tablespace SFMS_BR_DATA drop datafile 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF';", it is showing that database should be open..
SQL> alter tablespace SFMS_BR_DATA drop datafile 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
alter tablespace SFMS_BR_DATA drop datafile 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-01109: database not open
SQL> show parameter STANDBY_FILE_MANAGEMENT
NAME                                 TYPE        VALUE
standby_file_management              string      AUTO
SQL> alter system set STANDBY_FILE_MANAGEMENT=manual;
System altered.
SQL> show parameter STANDBY_FILE_MANAGEMENT
NAME                                 TYPE        VALUE
standby_file_management              string      MANUAL
SQL> alter tablespace SFMS_BR_DATA drop datafile 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
alter tablespace SFMS_BR_DATA drop datafile 'O:\ORADATA\SFMS\SFMS_DATA4.DBF'
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-01109: database not open
It is not logical, Physical standby must be bit-for-bit same with Primary database.
Regards
Mahir M. Quluzade

Unable to load Site Control File

Hello,
The background :
I am in the process of learning how to create a Management Pack for a distributed application in SCOM 2012 R2.For this, I picked our SCCM Site server to use as an example. So, in short, am writing a management pack for SCCM 2007 Discovery.
I know a management pack might already exist. I am trying to learn by using an architecture I'm familiar with so I need to create this from scratch.
In order to discover SCCM Site installed on a server, I decided to use the SMS WMI namespace. By reading the
SMS_ProviderLocation Instance, I am able to detect if the server has SCCM Site installed on it.
My next step was to find out where the SMS database is hosted. I found
ROOT\SMS\site_ABC\ namespace contains an instance of SMS_SCI_SiteDefinition where I can find the database name and server name which I can use to discover the other components of a distributed application.
The problem :
When I run the query Select * from SMS_SCI_SiteDefinition I get a generic error 0x80041001.
More Information reveals the following:
error description : " Unable to load site control file "
error code : " 2160198400 (0x80c20300) "
file name : " c:\qfe\nts_sms_fre\sms\siteserver\sdk_provider\smsprov\sspsitecontrolextractor.cpp "
Now, I cannot find the QFE folder anywhere. The SCCM Site is working fine and the site_control_manager component has no errors. I can launch the SCCM console on that server without any errors and the site status messages do not contain any errors.
Can someone please help me out with "detecting" an installed instance of SCCM site server using WMI? Is the above error cause for worry for the SCCM part of my brain?
Thanks in advance for your guidance!

Thanks for your response Don!
The SMS_Site instance does not provide information of the database server and database name.
The funny thing is when I browse use wbemtest to connect to root\SMS\site_XXX and enumerate classes, i do not find
the SMS_SCI_SiteDefinition.
I find it when i enumerate recursively and can browse into the values. I'm not sure how could build a query against this now.
Can anybody with a test instance of SCCM 2007 check this and let me know please?
Everything you are looking for exist within WMI. You can use the documentation script as an example to get what you are looking for.
http://www.enhansoft.com/pages/downloads.aspx
Garth Jones | My blogs: Enhansoft and
Old Blog site | Twitter:
@GarthMJ

What is Control file ?

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