Overview
A database issue occurred when the recovery area (db_recovery_file_dest) reached its maximum capacity, preventing the system from archiving logs. This caused the archiver process to become stuck, making the database unresponsive and affecting dependent applications. As a result, services relying on the database were disrupted. Immediate intervention was required to restore operations and implement preventive measures to avoid future occurrences.
Solution
Immediate Resolution
1. Identify the Issue
- Review database logs for errors indicating recovery area exhaustion, such as:
ORA-19815: WARNING: db_recovery_file_dest_size is 100.00% used
ORA-19809: limit exceeded for recovery files
- Verify that the archiver process is unable to create new archive log files.
2. Free Up Space in the Recovery Area
- Manually delete old archive logs using RMAN commands:
RMAN> CROSSCHECK ARCHIVELOG ALL;
RMAN> DELETE ARCHIVELOG ALL COMPLETED BEFORE 'SYSDATE-2';
- This allows the archiver process to resume normal operation.
3. Restart Affected Applications
- Restart applications that depend on the database to restore functionality.
4. Verify Recovery Area Usage
- Check that the recovery area utilization has decreased to allow future log archiving.
Preventive Measures
1. Automate Archive Log Cleanup- Implement a script to delete archive logs older than a specified period (e.g., 3 days).
- Schedule the script to run daily to prevent recovery area saturation.
2. Enable Regular RMAN Backups
- Configure automated daily RMAN backups to manage archive log retention.
- Allocate additional storage space to accommodate backups and ensure database stability.
3. Monitor Recovery Area Usage
- Set up automated monitoring and alerting for recovery area usage.
- Configure alerts to notify administrators when usage exceeds a predefined threshold (e.g., 80%) to enable proactive management.
4. Conduct Regular Database Audits
- Periodically audit database configurations to ensure optimal performance.
- Review RMAN retention policies and storage management practices to prevent unexpected failures.
Reference Documentation
- Oracle RMAN Documentation: https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/21/rcmrf/index.html
- Database Recovery Area Best Practices: https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/oracle-database/21/admin/recovering-database.html
By following these best practices, organizations can prevent database archiver failures and ensure uninterrupted service availability.
Priyanka Bhotika
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