I want to add a second archive log destination to an Oracle 11gR2 RAC database with ASM, the idea is that I will then have some redundancy if the primary storage should fail.
Archive log is already enabled, and logs are currently archived in the Fast Recovery Area. However, as far as I can see, none of the LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_n init parameters have been configured.
Is there now an unset default that specifies the Fast Recovery Area as a log destination?
If that is the case, I assume I must now configure two destinations. One entry to continue writing archive to that default destination, and one entry for the additional backup destination. If so, how do I specify the existing default location in the fast recovery area?
Will this work, is there another preferred way?
alter system set log_archive_dest_1 = 'LOCATION=USE_DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST';
alter system set log_archive_dest_2 = 'LOCATION=/s01/archive/TESTDB';
alter system set log_archive_dest_state_1 = enable;
alter system set log_archive_dest_state_2 = enable;
alter system set log_archive_min_succeed_dest = 1;
Naturally, the /s01 filesystem is available on all (both) cluster nodes.
Best Answer
The 11.2 manual says you should also check plain LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST. Although it comes from Standard Edition, it is still valid in case none of numbered Enterprise Edition destinations LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_n are defined. I haven't tested that personally.
In case all are unset, the another 11.2 manual says
I vaguely remember I've seen somewhere that 11.1 database in such situation defaults to USE_DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST but via LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_10.
In all, your configuration and syntax is correct.
Normally all destinations are optional. But your setting is ok; it could somewhat decrease potential data loss (loss of redo log not yet archived).
Further two items to take care of: