Cloning 11i with 10g database (you may need a patch)

I faced the following error while configuring database when cloning apps 11i with 10g database and it happens directly after entering the path of the third data_top (by the way the script will always assume you have 4 data_tops even if you have more/less data_tops)

StackTrace:
java.lang.NullPointerException
at oracle.apps.ad.context.CloneContext.createContextFileForDbhomes(CloneContext.java:2816)
at oracle.apps.ad.context.CloneContext.getInputFromUsers(CloneContext.java:1485)
at oracle.apps.ad.context.CloneContext.doClone(CloneContext.java:627)
at oracle.apps.ad.context.CloneContext.main(CloneContext.java:6085)

On metalink there was the solution on Note:427981.1 Subject:RC-50004 When Specifying DATA_TOPS While Cloning a 10.2 Database
And the solution is to apply a patch with a version of CloneContext.java above 115.203. the following are possibilities patches

Patch 5473292, Patch 5732291, Patch 5604818, Patch 5456078, Patch 5474116

Well I did not do that because this means that I have to apply the patch and recopy the database, which take time.
So I recreate the database manually using control file. And when try to open the database I issued
SQL>alter database open resetlogs;
It failed with the following
alter database open resetlogs
*
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-01113: file 1 needs media recovery
ORA-01110: data file 1: '/ora_dev/data/system01.dbf'
Even though the database was completely down when I copied it I faced this error the good thing is 2 days ago I was reading bas post http://basklaassen.blogspot.com/2008/01/recover-database.html
I followed the steps for recovery and provided the path to my online log files and the recovery completed successfully.
Next down time for the production database for sure I will apply one of the patches above.

Hope that helped
Fadi

Add new node to apps 2

Please read http://oracle-magic.blogspot.com/2008/02/add-new-node-to-apps.html before reading the steps below,

After finishing configuring the clone instance by running adcfgclone.pl I had to run the adaddnode.pl script according to note 464018.1.
While running adaddnode.pl I faced the following error
ERROR at line 1:
ORA-00001: unique constraint (APPLSYS.AD_APPL_TOPS_U2) violated
ORA-06512: at line 16

I followed note 394615.1 to solve it and after I did the steps in the note I run adaddnode.pl again and I faced error related to AD_TIMESTAMPS_U1 I checked on metalink but I could not find anything then I search on google and found post by dave http://newappsdba.blogspot.com/2006/09/dont-hit-ctrl-c-while-running.html from his post I took a backup the ad_timestamps and then truncate it after that I run adaddnode.pl and it completed successfully.
Then I updated the xml file to have only the forms and web servers running on this new node following the same note 464018.1 I run autoconfig the start the service on both nodes a now able to access both nodes.

What I want to do now is to configure web cache as load balancer also I want to implement Step 2.4.1.2. Implement Forms Listener Servlet Support from note (Advanced Configurations and Topologies for Enterprise Deployments of E-Business Suite 11i) Note:217368.1 in order to have Forms Server Load Balancing, so when one form server go down in one node users will be connect to the other forms node.Because the current configuration if I am connect to webnode1 and forms on that node is down I will not be able to connect to forms and I will receive an error but if load balancing is implemented it will take me to the other working forms server node.


Fadi

Sharing is Caring 4

Oracle Community
it the new site for oracle social networking, http://www.oraclecommunity.net/to make oracle community even smaller.

enjoy
Fadi

Add new node to apps

A customer want to add new web/forms node to his current multi-node apps 11.5.10.2 production system also we have to configure a web cache load balancer.
The current system is 2 nodes (db node, apps tire node).
I am currently doing the configuration on test environment, I followed note (
How to Add a New Node to The Application Tier, and Make It a Web Server Node Only, Note: 464018.1 same as instructions of "Part 4: Adding a new node to an existing system" under "Section 4: Advanced Cloning Options" of Note 230672.1"Cloning Oracle Applications Release 11iwith Rapid Clone".

I am currently cloning the apps tire to the new server after that I will run adcfgclone.pl then adaddnode.pl in order to configure it. One important note is to disable SQL*Net Access so that the new node can access the database.
after that i will try to configure the webcache as load balancer.
I will update you once done.

Enjoy
Fadi

Questions needed answers

Dears apps dbas,
I hope thing are well with you, I received the following questions from a friend of mine and I promised him to answer them and wanted to share them with you maybe you can help me answer most of them.
Appreciate your help.

(we have some of the answers by dave (thank you) in the comments and all of them under http://www.teachmeoracle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4102)

1. How do we know that particular instance is cloned or normal installed?
2. How can you know that how many modules are already implemented in this instance?
3. How to enable archive log without shutting down your database?
4. How can we know that whether we already applied latest AUTOCONFIG patch or not at our instance?
5. Is this possible to clone a database from hotbackup? If yes plz tell how?
6. Suppose your database size is 2000GB now you want to clone a particular one datafile or tablespace. Plz tell how co clone a datafile or tablespace?
7. You are applying a patch but suddenly it HANGS but log file didn’t showing any error what should be the reason for that HANG?
8. How to clone from multimode to single node?
9. How to apply patch on forms/reports server?

Thanks again for help
Fadi

I have been tagged

Gareth Roberts tagged me in the current round of OraBlog tag, you can check the rules.

Below are the 8 things you might not know about me:

1- Athens, Greece, Masters: I am currently doing my masters in managing business innovation and technology thurogh a scholarship here in Athens, Greece.
2- Having to change your job is a good thing: I started my oracle career after I had to change my previous job (well my old manager claims that my work was done there and the project i was working on was over, actually it turns out to be a good thing after that I changed my career path from Microsoft to Oracle)
3- Travel: I like to travel a lot and I am welling to take any chance to visit any new country/places.
4- Documentary: I am a T.V documentary addict; I can watch any type of documentary but prefer political ones.
5- Jogging: I jog 3-4 KM every other day I like jogging a lot.
6- Single: well still I am currently single. (Marry to oracle apps I guess ;-).
7- Reading: currently I am trying to get used to reading I have this book called (the management bible by John Wiley and sons) it’s a good book I guess every manager should read it, although I am not a manager yet but be prepared always. You never now what will happen next.
8- Sky is the limit and think big: Sky is the limit is my personal message at MSN messenger, and think big will be my next personal message at MSN.

My turn in tagging, I will tag.
OCP Advisor
Syed Jaffar Hussain
Lutz hartmann
Mark Rittman
Grant Ronald
Senthil Rajendran
Vikram Das
Famy Rasheed

have a nice tagging

fadi

Hail the Champions

I participate recently in a post from our famous Bolger OCP advisor, it a nice blog that help apps community with info. About Apps certification.
I am trying to be active again.
You can check his post here.

Good luck with your certification
Fadi

Oracle EBS R12 beta exam are you ready

I received the following email from oracle certification program
“Oracle University is pleased to announce the availability of the following new Oracle E-Business Suite (R12) certification exam in beta version:
Oracle EBS R12: Install, Patch and Maintain Applications [1Z0-238]
This new exam is required as part of earning the new Oracle EBS R12 Applications Database Administrator Certified Professional certification.
By participating in this beta exam, you have the opportunity to provide the Oracle Certification program with feedback about exam content which is integral to the process of exam development. We depend on the contributions of experienced professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Oracle certifications.

Beta exam period runs:
January 03 – April 04, 2008
These beta periods are subject to change, please check the exam pages for the most up-to-date information
“

Good luck with your exams
fadi

Sharing is Caring 3

Oracle wiki
is the new site from oracle where members of the Oracle community (employees and non-employees) collaboratively create and share content about Oracle-related subjects they're passionate about. http://wiki.oracle.com/

See you there
Fadi

Sharing is Caring 2

Oracle mix
Is it a new product no its not, it the new site from oracle for social networking, http://mix.oracle.com to make oracle community even smaller. It’s a grate site but still has some small bugs. I encourage you to register there so you will be closer to other oracle guys around the world

See you there
Fadi

Sharing is caring

It been a while since my last post, today I will post about some oracle books that can be viewed online using http://books.google.com go there and search for 11i or for “oracle e-business suite”+ altasen for workflow and sysadmin books of course not all the books are available online for free but only some parts, it will give you a good hint about the book before you buy it.

Good for google and good for us and sharing is caring

Fadi
My next post will be technical so keep visiting.

Multi to Single node Cloning issue

A friend called me yesterday he was facing the following error when he tried to clone from multi node to single node cloning
"Could not create the high water mark manifest..Please re-run the program to create the manifest required for merging APPL_TOPs"

He faced this error after he run the (perl adpreclone.pl appsTier merge) and then he cancel it while running and then he run it again on the other node then he recived this error.

According to metalink notes 372819.1 and 372758.1 he should reapply the AD.I.x patch again to the node and then run Maintain snapshot and then run the perl adpreclone.pl appsTier merge again, we did so and every thing went fine.

Hope that helped and by the way this will be my last post before my Eye LASIK Surgery which is scheduled tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m.

Fadi

Support forum,

I am thinking of opening a forum here to share support cases with all users, even though I guess oracle forums a great place to post problems and to get answers quickly, I will try to open my own forum for 3 months period if it was successful I will keep it other wise I will stick with oracle forums.
Suggestion are welcomed
Fadi

Open Workflow notifications list is very slow

Here I am publishing a note which I already published on metlaink through the Customer Knowledge Exchange program the note id is 428573.1, they had this program a couple of months ago and I managed to publish two notes and I will be sharing them here with you.

I faced a slow performance issue which only applies on the notifications list page, opening the workflow notifications list to see a list with two notifications when the problem happened used to take a lot of time (more that 20 minutes and most of the times it used to time out) so I followed the below to solve the issue

SQL> select message_type,count(*) from WF_NOTIFICATIONS group by message_type;

MESSAGE_ COUNT(*)
-------- ----------
AZNM000 3
FERASWF 8
POAPPRV 121
POERROR 29
PORCPT 38
POSDSALE 332
REQAPPRV 131
WFERROR 1137436

8 rows selected.
SQL> select count(*) from WF_NOTIFICATIONS where status='OPEN'
and MESSAGE_TYPE='WFERROR'

998976 rows selected.

I find out that I have a lot of the WFERROR message_type and most of them with an open status so I took a backup of the table just incase any thing went wrong using the following statement

SQL> CREATE TABLE WF_NOTIFICATIONS_bck AS SELECT * from WF_NOTIFICATIONS;

Table created.

Then I run the following update statement to set the status of all open notifications of the WFERROR type

SQL> update wf_notifications
set status='CLOSED', mail_status='CANCELED', end_date=sysdate
where status='OPEN'
and MESSAGE_TYPE='WFERROR' ;

998976 rows created
SQL> commit;

After that I tried the notifications list page it did not take more than 3 seconds and every thing went back to normal, so I scheduled a database job that run every month to close all the open notifications with message_type wferror.

To avoid this problem from happing again I am make sure that all the sysadmin notifications are closed and I also have monthly task to check that the above job is running.

i hope that helped
fadi

Workflow again

-an update on this we applied the patch and it solved our issue
Some end-users open cases with the support claiming that they don’t receive all the email notifications related to some of their purchase orders, I thought that maybe their email were spelled wrong or maybe they changed their email preference so they don’t receive an emails at oracle application level like the last time, I checked both but none of the above applies on the case so I had to check an one of there POs on the wf_notifications table, I run the following query

select * from wf_notifications where subject like '%200700001052%'

and the email_status value was ERROR so I took the notification_id and search for it in the emails that were sent by the notification mailer to the sysadmin and I found an email with the following content

"Event Error Name: -20001Event Error Message: ORA-20001: Oracle error -20001: ORA-20001: APP-FND-02500: Error occurred during product initialization for MO when executing 'begin MO_GLOBAL.INIT; end;'.SQLCODE = -20001 SQLERROR = ORA-20001: APP-FND-02902: Multi-Org profile option is required. Please set either MO: Security Profile or MO: Operating Unit profile option.has been detected in FND_GLOBAL.INITIALIZE."

I check that error on metalink and I found 5 notes saying that I must apply patch (5209533) p5209533_11i_GENERIC.zip

I will apply that patch on my test/clone instance this weekend and I will update you if the issue was resolved.

For more info you can check note (393847.1) or search for the error/patch


Hope that helped
Fadi

My 11i Apps DBA OCP

After I passed my beta exam 1Z0-233 Oracle 11i Install, Patch and Maintain Applications and in order to be an Oracle 11i Apps DBA OCP, I had to be either 10g DBA OCP or 9i DBA OCP or the new 2 exams (apps fundamentals 1 & 2), so I applied for 10g and I passed the OCP. So far I am still waiting my 11i beta scoring sheet to see my mark but I guess I did very good on that beta exam I regret that I did not apply the other 2 beta exams (workflow and sysadmin) every one took any one of them (pass or fail) got a free voucher that can be used for the 11i certification program. I did not believe when they were on the path to be an apps dba specially the workflow and then oracle changed the 11i apps dba path (which is a correct step they took). No the path for apps dbas is more clear and more technical.

Have a good day
Fadi

Small issue after cloning

After I cloned my production system I faced the following error when I run adadmin or adpatch

"
AD code level : [11i.AD.I.4]


The Applications System names per the APPL_TOP and the database are different.
Applications System name per the APPL_TOP: clone
Applications System name per the database: prod

If you continue, the Applications System name per the APPL_TOP will be ignored.

Do you wish to continue [No] ?
"
To solve it I had to run the following update statement on my clone database
update FND_PRODUCT_GROUPSset APPLICATIONS_SYSTEM_NAME ='clone' ;commit;


Hope that helped

fadi

Oracle Applications SQL scripts

Oracle Applications has useful collection of ready SQL scripts under $AD_TOP/sql. The following list shows the description of each script. For more details like if a specific script is available on a specific Apps version you need to check metalink note 108207.1 you will find the script and its description below.

adcompsc.pls
Compile objects in a given schema

adcpresp.sql
The script duplicates rows in FND_RESPONSIBILITY in the following way: Find data_group_id dg_id for the given data_group_name. For each row with data_group_id 0 in FND_RESPONSIBILITY, look for a corresponding row with data_group_id dg_id, with the same application_id, and responsibility_name that only differs in the given suffix string suffix_string. If such a row does not exist for the data_group_id dg_id, insert it.

aderrch2.sql
Reports all compilation errors for a given schema.

aderrchk.sql
Same as aderrch2.sql plus it fails if there are any errors

adtresp.sql
A fix for customers who have more than one set of books and they installed languages other than AMERICAN English. The symptom of the bug is that responsibility names are not translated properly for non-Standard data groups.

adutcobj.sql
Count objects by object type in schema

adutconf.sql
Utility script to display configuration of Applications

adutfip.sql
Utility script to display worker information

adutfpd.sql
Utility script to display product dependency information

ADXANLYZ.sql
Analyze all tables in an ORACLE ID with estimate sample 20%

ADXCKPIN.sql
Query the shared_pool area to determine space used by PL/SQL objects and whether they have been pinned.

ADXGNPIN.sql
Creates and runs a "pin" script for all packages and functions in a give schema

ADXGNPNS.sql
Creates and runs a "pin" script for all sequences in a give schema

ADXINMAI.sql
Install tables and views used by the Applications*DBA sql scripts.

adxirc.sql
AD - index - report columns

ADXLMCBC.sql
Live Monitor, Categorize Block Contention

ADXLMLSO.sql
Live Monitor, List Session Objects

ADXLMQMS.sql
Live Monitor, Query Monitor Statistics

ADXLPFLS.sql
Lock Problem, Find Lock Source

ADXLPSLU.sql
Lock Problem, Show Lock Users

adxpriv7.sql
grant privileges to a user

ADXRCSDC.sql
Report Configuration, Show Database Configuration formerly, config.sql (rollback, tablespace, data files)

ADXRCSTG.sql
Report Configuration, Select Table Grants

ADXRSEBH.sql
Estimate the effect of a bigger SGA cache on cache hit rate.

ADXRSESH.sql
Estimate the effect of a smaller SGA cache on cache hit rate.

ADXRSFIS.sql
Find the size (blocks, extents, extpct) of the given index.

ADXRSFTS.sql
Find the size (blocks, extents, extpct) of the given table.

ADXRSFUA.sql
Report the number of blocks used and the number of extents used for every table or index in every user in the database.

ADXRSLFS.sql
Report free extents in each tablespace.

ADXRSQDP.sql
Check for cache effectiveness for dc_xxxxx parameters' values.

ADXRSRTS.sql
Produce a brief database used space report.

ADXRSSIE.sql
Generate a list of tables and indexes whose next extent to be grabbed would be too large to be allocated in their corresponding tablespaces.

ADXRSSMF.sql
List tables and indexes with a number of allocated extents close to their max_extents.

ADXRSSMS.sql
Find space used for one's own segments.

ADXRSSRS.sql
Show v$rollstat statistics.

ADXRSSSU.sql
For a username, report the number of blocks used and the number of extents used for every table or index in that username.

ADXRSSTF.sql
Produce a brief report of database fragmentation by tablespace.

ADXRSSUS.sql
Report how much space each user has.

ADXUPLUP.sql
Generate a list of processes which the given user (NOT the database account's username) owns.

ADXUPSRU.sql
Show all users that have active transactions per Rollback Segment that they are writing to.

New credentials for oracle applications

Oracle has lunched a new certification programs after they have changed their apps dba OCP program then new certifications are as follow:

-Oracle 11i System Administrator Certified Expert. (1Z0-232)
Exam Number:
1Z0-232
Duration:
120 minutes
Associated Certifications:
TBD
Number of Questions:
87
Exam Price:
$195 USD
Passing Score:
60%

-Oracle 11i Workflow Certified Expert. (1Z0-231)
Exam Number:
1Z0-231
Duration:
90 minutes
Associated Certifications:
TBD
Number of Questions:
72
Exam Price:
$195 USD
Passing Score:
59%


If you pass any of the above exams you will consider an expert neither an ocp nor oca. Also both exams doesn't require any pre-requests exames.

Fadi

To be a good oracle dba qustion

Well, I recived the following email through an oracle email list the qusiton is quoted below

" Gurus, We all hear about Oracle books and manuals that we should read. What about non Oracle things we need to know to be a DBA? For eg couple of days ago David Litchfield posted a link to an Oracle paper on log buffer internals. The paper had lots of C code in it. Do I have to learn C to become a good DBA? What is the best place to start?
"
And I was reading the answerer for that question and I had to say that one of the users on the list replied with a great answer and apply for every thing in this life, the answer is quoted below
"
Not a guru, but I think one of the most important things for a DBA to know is how to learn - quickly, and just as important for long term success is to have a natural desire or drive to learn. Databases and all the interrelated technologies change so fast that you have to be willing and able to constantly learn, and to be happy with life as a DBA, you have to enjoy that challenge. By knowing how to learn, I mean being able to quickly identify what it is you need to know, where to go to get the necessary knowledge, how to quickly sort through all the BS to zero in on the key concepts that you need, and then how to apply the knowledge to your specific situation. There certainly isn't any fixed set of topics that a DBA needs to know. The label "DBA" describes many different roles in real life and in my particular position, knowing C doesn't really do me any good because I never look at C code. Rather than knowing any specific language, it is more important to understand the concepts of coding and then you can take that skill and pick up the specifics of any language as needed. Obviously you need to be comfortable with the SQL syntax and at least familiar with the procedural code for the RDBMS you are working on. You just have to be as intimate as you can with all the pieces of whatever environment you find yourself responsible for. It is a huge plus to have as much understanding as you can of the operating system and all applications running against your databases, as well as anything else running on the same server. Even an understanding of the hardware and network you are running on can be very helpful. A good understanding of the business you are supporting is always useful too. I think you really have to be a jack of all trades and master of at least one in order to be a really good DBA.

Regarding where to start - there are many paths to enlightenment :-) so just take your pick. Some start as application admins (like me), some as sys (OS) admins, some as developers - all tend to end up with different strengths and weaknesses but I don't think one is inherently better than the others, just different. Whichever path you pick, just try to pick up as much of the others as you can along the way.

Regards,
Brandon
"
To be honest I liked his answer and it gave me a motive

Fadi