During a routine installation, I managed to mis-type the filesystem path for the ORACLE_BASE during execution of the Oracle Universal Installer (./runInstaller).
[nb: ORACLE_BASE by normal definition should be a standard starting filesystem mountpoint under which all other instance-specific data/files for this ORACLE_HOME would be found. Typically contains your diagnostic logs, Fast Recovery Area files, all configuration tool logs, and any Flashback checkpoint saves.
$ORACLE_BASE/diag/.
./asm
./clients
./crs
./diagtool
./lsnrctl
./netcman
./ofm
./rdbms
./tnslsnr
$ORACLE_BASE/admin/<SID>/.
./adump # Audit data./dpdump # Data Pump related
./pfile # init.ora files generated by config tools
–end of note]
Since the service account (oracle) had filesystem permissions to do so, it went ahead and put all of the flashback recovery, diagnostics, and audit trail files (and my backup controlfiles) into the incorrectly named directory. The database itself was running, but how to correct this without starting all over again?
Start with backing up your init.ora configuration from spfile to pfile format:
SQL> create pfile from spfile;
File created.
(this defaults to $ORACLE_HOME/dbs/init.ora)
Then shutdown services:
SQL> shutdown immediate;
Database closed.
SQL> exit;
#oracle> lsnrctl stop
Now go find all the places you’ll need to modify/correct the ORACLE_BASE filepath declarations:
$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/init<SID>.ora
$ORACLE_HOME/network/admin (or $TNS_ADMIN)
- listener.ora: ADR_BASE_LISTENER
- sqlnet.ora: ADR_BASE
(Note: these two are auto-generated using netca – the Oracle Net Configuration Assistant, if you execute that after making the database and environment-side changes.
$ORACLE_HOME/inventory/ContentsXML/oraclehomeproperties.xml : ORACLE_BASE
All finished editing? Start everything back up:
#oracle> lsnrctl start
SQL> startup pfile=?/dbs/init<SID>.ora — to use revised settings
SQL> create spfile from pfile; — copy new settings to spfile
SQL> shutdown immediate;
SQL> startup; — uses spfile instead
Now future installs using dbca, dbua and netca should recognize your defined/modified/corrected ORACLE_BASE.
Thoughts from James H. Lui 