Oracle RAC. Introduction to Oracle RAC.
Nov 29, 2019.
Prakash.
Overview of Oracle RAC
A cluster comprises multiple
interconnected computers or servers that appear as if they are one server to end
users and applications.
Oracle RAC enables you to cluster
an Oracle database. Oracle RAC uses Oracle Clusterware for the infrastructure to
bind multiple
servers so they operate as a single
system.
Oracle Clusterware is a portable cluster management
solution that is integrated with Oracle Database. Oracle Clusterware is also a
required
component for using Oracle RAC. In addition,
Oracle Clusterware enables both noncluster Oracle databases and Oracle RAC
databases
to use the Oracle high-availability
infrastructure. Oracle Clusterware enables you to create a clustered pool of
storage to be used
by any combination of noncluster and
Oracle RAC databases.
Oracle Clusterware is the only clusterware that you need for most platforms on which Oracle RAC operates.
You can also use clusterware from other vendors if the clusterware is certified for Oracle RAC.
A cluster consists of multiple interconnected servers that appear to end users and applications as if they are one single server.
Typical Oracle RAC Architecture.

Oracle RAC databases differ architecturally from noncluster Oracle databases in that each Oracle RAC database instance also has:
At least one additional thread of redo for each instance.
An instance-specific undo tablespace.
The combined processing power of the multiple servers can provide greater throughput and Oracle RAC scalability than is available from a single server.
Simply put Real Application Cluser (RAC) is,
Multiple instances accessing the same database
One instance per node
Physical or
logical access to each database file
Software-controlled
data access.
Clusterware.
Clusteware is software which will bind all the Nodes in a
single system.
How the RAC software changed from version to version.
Oracle RAC Software.
9i Cluster manager
10gR1 CRS S/W
10gR2 Clusterware
11gR1 Clusterware
11gR2 Grid Infrastructure Services
12cR1 Grid Infrastructure Services
12cR2 Grid Infrastructure Services
Criteria for RAC deployment..
* Oracle defines the database as being the structures
that reside in files permanently on disk,including the datafiles,the
controlfiles and online redologs.
* In the case of RAC
cluster ,the database must be located on shared physical disk storage that all
servers in the cluster must be able to access equally.
*
The servers communicate with the shared storage via a storage network.
* The servers in the cluster are bound together using
cluster management software called Oracle Clusterware/Grid Infrastructure
Services.
* This enables the servers to appear as though
they are single server. Servers in the cluster communicate
with each other using a dedicated private network known
as the Cluster Interconnect.
* Each server is also
connected to a public network that allows the cluster to communicate with the
outside world,including clients and application servers.
* In RAC cluster ,each instance can execute transactions
concurrently because access is coordinated to ensure data consistency and
integrity.
* Instances exchange messages with each other
across the interconnect to manage the state of individual Oracle data blocks and
locks.
RAC Installation Notes.
* At the time installation , we need to
select on which nodes we have to install Grid setup . Only one note needs the
Grid Setup. Node 1.
* OrainstRoot.sh ,root.sh will be executes manually on
all the nodes.
* we have to set oratab and initab in all the nodes
* All
the nodes have to access the shared storage to get the data from physical
datafiles.
* ./runInstaller need to be run on only one node.
Benefits
of Real Application Cluster.
* Lower Overall Cost of Ownership
* Expanded
Scalability
* High Availability
* Buffer Cache Management
* Row
Locking
* Recovery Manager, Online Backups, and Archiving.
Archivelog
Notes.
* In Real Application Clusters, each instance automatically archives
its own redo log files, or one or more instances can archive
the redo log
files for some or all of the instances in the cluster database.
* If you
operate your database in NOARCHIVELOG mode, then you can only make offline
backups. If you cannot afford data loss,
then Oracle strongly recommends
that you use ARCHIVELOG mode.
Source: https://www.ktexperts.com/introduction-to-oracle-rac-environment/