Changing Control Files location in Oracle

We will demonstrate how to change control files location.

  • 1-Query the V$CONTROLFILE view to find the control files location.
    • SQL> select name from v$controlfile;

NAME
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/u00/oracle/oradata/RCAT/control01.ctl
/u00/oracle/flash_recovery_area/RCAT/control02.ctl
  • 2-When we are moving control files we have to alter their location using the values stored in the control_files parameter. To find it's values use the following syntax:
    • SQL> show parameter control_files

NAME                                 TYPE        VALUE
------------------------------------ ----------- ------------------------------
control_files                        string      /u00/oracle/oradata/RCAT/contr
                                                 ol01.ctl, /u00/oracle/flash_re
                                                 covery_area/RCAT/control02.ctl
  • 3-Shutdown your database.
    • SQL> shutdown immediate;
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.
  • 4-Start up your database in mount mode.
    • SQL> startup mount;
ORACLE instance started.

Total System Global Area 1603411968 bytes
Fixed Size                  2213776 bytes
Variable Size            1006635120 bytes
Database Buffers          587202560 bytes
Redo Buffers                7360512 bytes
Database mounted.
  • 5-Move your control files to the new location.
    • mv /u00/oracle/oradata/RCAT/control01.ctl /u01/oracle/oradata/RCAT/control01.ctl
mv /u00/oracle/flash_recovery_area/RCAT/control02.ctl /u01/oracle/oradata/RCAT/control02.ctl
  • 5-Alter the control_files parameter so that will match the new control_files location. 
    • ALTER SYSTEM SET control_files='/u01/oracle/oradata/RCAT/control01.ctl','/u01/oracle/oradata/RCAT/control02.ctl' SCOPE=SPFILE;
System altered.
  • 6-Bounce your database and check your control_files location.
    • SQL> select name from v$controlfile;

NAME
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/u01/oracle/oradata/RCAT/control01.ctl
/u01/oracle/oradata/RCAT/control02.ctl

SQL>

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