Oracle Source Management

General

A source host is a server that hosts the source databases. A test data environment includes access definition to one source database and a GI. This section describes how to create and manage a Source Host and a Test Data Environment.

A Golden Image (GI) refers to a pre-configured template of a database environment. This template encapsulates a snapshot of the database including its schema, data, configurations, and associated applications. It serves as a master copy from which multiple instances of the database can be rapidly deployed, ensuring consistency, reliability, and quick scalability across different virtual environments.

Supported types of Golden Images for Oracle database

Each type of Golden Image for Oracle databases serves a specific set of needs, from real-time replication to disaster recovery and cloud-based management. The choice of GI should align with the operational objectives and the specific environment, whether it’s on-premises or cloud-based like AWS RDS.

1. Live Golden Image (Live GI)

A Live GI is a real-time replica of a production database, mirroring its current state including data and configurations.

2. RMAN Golden Image (RMAN GI)

An RMAN GI is a backup-based image created using Oracle Recovery Manager (RMAN). It includes all critical components of the database, such as data files, control files, and archived redo logs, captured at a specific point in time.

3. RMAN Standby Golden Image (RMAN Standby GI)

This GI is a variant of the RMAN GI, specifically designed for setting up Oracle standby databases. While it also uses RMAN, it includes additional elements necessary for creating and managing a standby database environment, such as standby redo logs and specific configurations for data guard.

4. RDS AWS RMAN Golden Image

The RDS AWS RMAN GI is exclusively for Oracle databases hosted on Amazon RDS. It combines the features of RMAN with optimizations for AWS cloud infrastructure.

To open the Source work area:

1. On the navigation bar, click Source.

The Source Hosts window appears displaying all the source hosts that have been added to the system.

To modify a source host:

1. Select the source host.

2. 

   Click Modify source host.

3. Modify the source host as required.

4. To save your changes, click Modify.

To see source host information:

1. Select the source host.

2. Click Source host info.

The Info window appears.

3. To return to the main Source Management work area, click Close.

To remove a source host:

1. Select the source host.

2. Click Remove source host.

3. Click Remove to confirm the deletion or Cancel to exit without deleting the source host.

The create a test data environment from the VDB Management window:

1. Open the VDB Management window.

2. In the VDB Management window, select a Test Data Environment.

Live GI

To create a Live GI:

1. Click Create LIVE GI.

   

2. Enter a Name.

   

3. Click Create.
   After the GI is created, the following message appears: Golden Image (live) has been created.

4. The VDB Management window displays the GI that was created.

   

5. The GI icon appears on the left.. Click the info icon, next to the GI. It will show the newly created directory on the source server. (The directory was created automatically by Accelario)
   

   

6. You can verify the directory by running df -h command on source. E.g. :
   

   

7. You will need to create your oracle instance on this directory, so all datafiles, controlfiles, redo, archives , dump and audit will point to this path

   E.g. spfile parameters:

   *.audit_file_dest='/main_pool/00000046/adump'

   *.control_files='/main_pool/00000046/control01.ctl'

   *.db_create_file_dest='/main_pool/00000046'

   *.db_create_online_log_dest_1='/main_pool/00000046'

   *.db_recovery_file_dest='/main_pool/00000046'

   *.diagnostic_dest='/main_pool/00000046'

   *.log_archive_dest_1='location=/main_pool/00000046'

    The spfile itself should also be placed on the same directory

8. Once the database is up and running , proceed to activate the GI. Click the Activate icon net to the GI. The Activation verifies that the new database is fully located in the required directory.

   

9. Once the activation is completed, a first snapshot is created and you can proceed with VDB creation.

   

To modify a Live GI:

1. Modify the Golden Image Parameters as required.

2. Click Next to go to the next Modify Test Data Environment window.

3. Modify the Source DB Parameters as required.

5. To save your changes, click Modify.

RMAN GI

To create a RMAN GI:

1. Click Create RMAN GI.

2. Enter a Name.

3. Click Create.

The VDB Management window displays the RMAN GI that was created.

To create a test data environment:

To edit a test data environment:

1. Select the test data environment.

2. Click Modify Test Data environment.

The Modify Test Data Environment window appears. Modify the test data environment name if necessary.

3. Click Next to go to the next Modify Test Data Environment window.

To modify a RMAN GI:

1. Modify the Golden Image Parameters as required.

2. Click Next to go to the next Modify Test Data Environment window.

3. Modify the Source DB Parameters as required.

4. To save your changes, click Modify.

RMAN STANDBY GI

To modify a RMAN STANDBY GI:

1. Modify the Golden Image Parameters as required.

2. Click Next to go to the next Modify Test Data Environment window.

3. Modify the Source DB Parameters as required.

4. To save your changes, click Modify.

AWS RDS RMAN GI

On the first configuration screen choose AWS RDS Oracle and the source server (it should have Oracle Database software installed - same version as the RDS database)

On the second configuration screen enter AWS parameters

AWS authentication

The AWS authentication can be either via access key or via IAM role.

AWS Credentials

Use this mode in case you have prepared a dedicated user in AWS and generated access key for it. How to do it

Access Key ID:

This is a unique identifier provided by AWS, for accessing all AWS services. It's used for authentication. Obtain it from the IAM settings in your AWS account.

Secret Access Key:

A secret key that pairs with your Access Key ID for request authentication and authorization. This key should be generated when creating a new Access Key ID and kept confidential.

IAM role

Use this mode if you have applied an IAM role to the source server. How to do it

AWS Backup Details

Backup Directory Name:

Specify the Oracle directory on the RDS Oracle instance.
E.g.: DATA_PUMP_DIR

Compress Backup (Y/N):

Option to compress backup files, which helps in reducing storage space. Choose 'Y' to enable compression, reducing backup size, or 'N' to store backups in their original size.

AWS S3 Bucket Parameters

Name:

Provide the S3 bucket name that will be used to copy of Oracle backups between RDS and the source server. How to create it
E.g. : rds-ora19

Local Mount Path:

The designated path for mounting the S3 bucket on the source server. This allows to access the backups that are stored on the S3 bucket. The path should reference an existing, empty directory.
E.g. : /home/oracle/s3_backups

S3 Bucket Prefix (Subfolder).

Subfolder within the S3 bucket where the RDS backups will be stored. Do not use any slashes.

E.g. : ora19-folder

On the third configuration screen enter the connection details to the RDS Oracle database

On the forth configuration screen enter details of the staging database on the source server (beware that it is different from the RDS Oracle)

Some of the fields are not required, since they are derived automatically from previous screens

Test Data Environment (TDE)

To see information about a test data environment:

1. Select the test data environment.

2. Click Test Data Environment Info.

The Info window appears.

3. To return to the main Source Management work area, click Close.

To remove a test data environment:

1. Select the test data environment.

2. Click Remove Test Data Environment.

3. Click Remove to confirm the deletion or Cancel to exit with deleting the test data environment.