What is Database cloning?
Database cloning is nothing but creating a Identical copy of existing database.
There are so many reasons for cloning database.
1) Every company will have Production , testing and development database. Developers must not develop database in Production database right? Tester must not test reports or database whatever on Production database right? Why because it will effects on performance of production database.
2) If DBA want to change dbname or DBID of the database
3)Relocating an Oracle database to another machine.
4)Moving Oracle database to new Storage media.
etc…
There are three ways to clone database
1) Clod cloning
2) Hot cloning
3) RMAN cloning
Today i will show How clone database using Hot cloning. Cold cloning is very easier to clone by using OS commands. RMAN cloning will talk at time of RMAN concepts.
Database cloning using Hot Backups:
Hot database cloning is more suitable for databases which are running 24X7X365 type of databases and is done using the hot backup. For hot database cloning, database has to be in archivelog mode and there no need to shutdown the database.
You already now, how to take backup database hot. If not please check my previous post.
1) i)connect to database .
ii) Check to which database you are connected.
iii) Check archivelog status
iv) Create a table (for Example) and create log switch.
Database name is PROD.
2) So, I have database called PROD, I want to clone PROD database to another database called TEST.
So create necessary parameter file and directory.
i) Go to ORACLE_HOME/dbs directory and create pfile called initTEST.ora
and insert db_name and version as show in below picture.