Question

Q: SID and instace name

Asked by: expertblr

hi ,

   What is the differece between SID and instance name? As afar as my understanding goes, its (SID) is an identifier for the database. But, I've read in books that it(SID) defaults to Instance name. Does that mean that I can have different SID for an INSTANCE?

Looking for a good explanation on this?

Thanks,

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Asked On
2006-10-17 at 03:35:34ID22027040
Tags

instace

,

name

,

database

,

sid

Topic

Oracle Database

Participating Experts
2
Points
125
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: ploubierPosted on 2006-10-17 at 06:01:55ID: 17747120

From official documentation at http://download-uk.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14237/initparams083.htm#sthref336

INSTANCE_NAME
Syntax INSTANCE_NAME = instance_id
Default value The instance's SID
Note: The SID identifies the instance's shared memory on a host, but may not uniquely distinguish this instance from other instances.
 
In a Real Application Clusters environment, multiple instances can be associated with a single database service. Clients can override Oracle's connection load balancing by specifying a particular instance by which to connect to the database. INSTANCE_NAME specifies the unique name of this instance.

In a single-instance database system, the instance name is usually the same as the database name.


From http://download-uk.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14231/create.htm#sthref233

An instance is made up of the system global area (SGA) and the background processes of an Oracle Database. Decide on a unique Oracle system identifier (SID) for your instance and set the ORACLE_SID environment variable accordingly. This identifier is used to distinguish this instance from other Oracle Database instances that you may create later and run concurrently on your system.

 

by: mohammadzahidPosted on 2006-10-18 at 16:19:01ID: 17762087

Oracle server consist of Oracle processes (called Oracle instance) and database. Database consist of physical files such as datafiles, controlfiles, redolog files, etc.

Instance(background processes) + database (physical files) = ORACLE SERVER.  

 

by: ploubierPosted on 2006-10-19 at 04:41:28ID: 17764716

mohammadzahid, I would add the Oracle kernel to your definition (binaries installed in ORACLE_HOME).

 

by: mohammadzahidPosted on 2006-10-19 at 09:11:43ID: 17767077

Ploubier,

I don't understand what do you mean ?  add Oracle Kernel to my defination?

thanks

 

by: ploubierPosted on 2006-10-19 at 15:04:28ID: 17770206

My last comment was just entitled to avoid confusion...
"Oracle server", is the host running software installed in ORACLE_HOME and managing services.
"Oracle database server", is the combination of the database files (datafiles + redo log files + control files), and the instance (background processes + memory buffers aka SGA).

 

by: mohammadzahidPosted on 2006-10-19 at 15:24:18ID: 17770327

confusion????

Your last post simply repeated my yesterday's reply.

thanks for clarification.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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