2 Installing Oracle Database Vault as an Option

2.1.1 Become Familiar with the Features of Oracle Database Vault

Before you plan the upgrade process, become familiar with the features of Oracle Database Vault. The Oracle Database Vault Administrator's Guide discusses the basic features of Oracle Database Vault.

2.1.2 Check the Hardware Requirements

The system must meet the following minimum hardware requirements:

• At least 1024MB of available physical RAM

• The following table gives the relationship between the available RAM and the required swap space.

  Available RAM	Swap Space Required
  Between 1024 MB and 2048 MB	1.5 times the size of RAM
  Between 2049 MB and 8192 MB	Equal to the size of RAM
  More than 8192 MB	0.75 times the size of RAM

  
  

• 400 MB of disk space in the /tmp directory

• 270 MB of disk space for the Oracle Database Vault software

• 10 MB of additional disk space for the database files

To ensure that the system meets these requirements:

1. To determine the physical RAM size, enter the following command:

   # grep MemTotal /proc/meminfo
   
   

   If the size of the physical RAM installed in the system is less than the required size, then you must install more memory before continuing.

2. To determine the size of the configured swap space, enter the following command:

   # grep SwapTotal /proc/meminfo
   
   

   If necessary, refer to your operating system documentation for information about how to configure additional swap space.

3. To determine the available RAM and swap space, enter the following command:

   # free
   

   Note:

   Oracle recommends that you take multiple readings for the available RAM and swap space before freezing on a value. This is because the available RAM and swap space keep changing depending on the user interactions with the computer.

4. To determine the amount of disk space available in the /tmp directory, enter the following command:

   # df -k /tmp
   
   

   If there is less than 400 MB of disk space available in the /tmp directory, then complete one of the following steps:

   • Delete unnecessary files from the /tmp directory to meet the disk space requirement.

   • Set the TEMP and TMPDIR environment variables when setting the oracle user's environment (described later).

   • Extend the file system that contains the /tmp directory. If necessary, contact your system administrator for information about extending file systems.

5. To determine the amount of free disk space on the system, enter the following command:

   # df -k
   
   

6. To determine whether the system architecture can run the software, enter the following command:

   # grep "model name" /proc/cpuinfo
   

   Note:

   This command displays the processor type. Verify that the processor architecture matches the Oracle software release that you want to install. If you do not see the expected output, then you cannot install the software on this system.

2.1.3 Check the Operating System Requirements

Depending on the products that you intend to install, verify that the following software is installed on the system. The procedure following the table describes how to verify whether these requirements are addressed.

To ensure that the system meets these requirements:

1. To determine which distribution and version of Linux is installed, enter the following command:

   # cat /etc/issue
   
   

   Note:

   Only the distributions and versions listed in the previous table are supported. Do not install the software on other versions of Linux.

2. To determine whether the required kernel is installed, enter the following command:

   # uname -r
   
   

   The following is sample output obtained by running this command on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 system:

   2.4.21-15.EL
   
   

   In this example, the output shows the kernel version (2.4.21) and errata level (15.EL) on the system.

   If the kernel version does not meet the requirement specified earlier in this section, then contact your operating system vendor for information about obtaining and installing kernel updates.

3. To determine whether the required packages are installed, enter commands similar to the following:

   # rpm -q package_name
   
   

   If a package is not installed, then install it from your Linux distribution media or download the required package version from your Linux vendor's Web site.

2.1.4 Check Kernel Parameters

Verify that the kernel parameters shown in the following table are set to values greater than or equal to the recommended value shown.

To view the current value specified for these kernel parameters, and to change them if necessary:

1. Enter the commands shown in the following table to view the current values of the kernel parameters:

   Note:

   • You will require root privileges to run the commands.

   • Make a note of the current parameter values and identify any values that you must change.

   Parameter	Command
   semmsl, semmns, semopm, and semmni	# /sbin/sysctl -a | grep sem This command displays the value of the semaphore parameters in the order listed.
   shmall, shmmax, and shmmni	# /sbin/sysctl -a | grep shm This command displays the details of the shared memory segment sizes.
   file-max	# /sbin/sysctl -a | grep file-max This command displays the maximum number of file handles.
   ip_local_port_range	# /sbin/sysctl -a | grep ip_local_port_range This command displays a range of port numbers.
   rmem_default	# /sbin/sysctl -a | grep rmem_default
   rmem_max	# /sbin/sysctl -a | grep rmem_max
   wmem_default	# /sbin/sysctl -a | grep wmem_default
   wmem_max	# /sbin/sysctl -a | grep wmem_max

   
   

2. If the value of any kernel parameter is different from the recommended value, then complete the following procedure:

   Using any text editor, create or edit the /etc/sysctl.conf file, and add or edit lines similar to the following:

   Note:

   Include lines only for the kernel parameter values that you want to change. For the semaphore parameters (kernel.sem), you must specify all four values. However, if any of the current values are larger than the recommended value, then specify the larger value.

   kernel.shmall = 2097152
   kernel.shmmax = 2147483648
   kernel.shmmni = 4096
   kernel.sem = 250 32000 100 128
   fs.file-max = 65536
   net.ipv4.ip_local_port_range = 1024 65000
   rmem_default = 262144
   rmem_max = 262144
   wmem_default = 262144
   wmem_max = 262144
   
   

   By specifying the values in the /etc/sysctl.conf file, they persist when you restart the system.

   On SUSE systems only, enter the following command to ensure that the system reads the /etc/sysctl.conf file when it restarts:

   # /sbin/chkconfig boot.sysctl on
   
   

Setting Shell Limits for the Oracle User

To improve the performance of the software on Linux systems, you must increase the following shell limits for the oracle user:

To increase the shell limits:

1. Add the following lines to the /etc/security/limits.conf file:

   oracle              soft    nproc   2047
   oracle               hard    nproc   16384
   oracle               soft    nofile  1024
   oracle               hard    nofile  65536
   
   

2. Add or edit the following line in the /etc/pam.d/login file, if it does not already exist:

   session    required     /lib/security/pam_limits.so
   
   

3. Depending on the oracle user's default shell, make the following changes to the default shell startup file:

   • For the Bourne, Bash, or Korn shell, add the following lines to the /etc/profile file (or the /etc/profile.local file on SUSE systems):

     if [ $USER = "oracle" ]; then
             if [ $SHELL = "/bin/ksh" ]; then
                   ulimit -p 16384
                   ulimit -n 65536
             else
                   ulimit -u 16384 -n 65536
             fi
     fi
     
     

   • For the C shell (csh or tcsh), add the following lines to the /etc/csh.login file (or the /etc/csh.login.local file on SUSE systems):

     if ( $USER == "oracle" ) then
             limit maxproc 16384
             limit descriptors 65536
     endif
     
     

2.1.5 Check the Database Requirements

In order to install Oracle Database Vault, you must be running the Enterprise Edition of Oracle Database 10g release 2 (10.2.0.3). The database should also have Oracle Enterprise Manager Console DB 10.2.0.3.0 installed. In addition, the Database Vault installer requires write access to the files, oratab and oraInst.loc.

A listener must have been configured for the existing database. Oracle Net Configuration Assistant configures the listener when you first install the database. You can also use Oracle Enterprise Manager to administer listeners.

You must have an existing password file for the database. The password file authentication parameter, REMOTE_LOGIN_PASSWORDFILE must have been set to EXCLUSIVE or SHARED.

You can set the REMOTE_LOGIN_PASSWORDFILE parameter in the init.ora file. Use the orapwd utility to create and manage password files.

The following topics discuss applying the 10.2.0.3 patch set and installing the required components:

• Install Oracle Enterprise Manager Console DB

• Apply Oracle Database Release 10.2.0.3 Patch Set

http://metalink.oracle.com

2.1.6 Prepare a Backup Strategy

Oracle strongly recommends that you back up your database before performing any upgrade or installation. The ultimate success of your upgrade depends heavily on the design and execution of an appropriate backup strategy. To develop a backup strategy, consider the following questions:

• How long can the production database remain inoperable before business consequences become intolerable?

• What backup strategy should be used to meet your availability requirements?

• Are backups archived in a safe, offsite location?

• How quickly can backups be restored (including backups in offsite storage)?

• Have recovery procedures been tested successfully?

Your backup strategy should answer all of these questions and include procedures for successfully backing up and recovering your database.

2.1.7 Verify That Oracle Clusterware Is Running (RAC Only)

Oracle Clusterware should be running for the Database Vault installer to find the existing Real Application Clusters (RAC) databases. If you have stopped Oracle Clusterware, then you should restart it before running Oracle Universal Installer. Use the following command to start Oracle Clusterware:

$CRS_HOME/bin/crsctl start crs

2.1.8 Stop Existing Oracle Processes

Stop all processes running in the Oracle home. You must complete this task to enable Oracle Universal Installer to relink certain executables and libraries. For RAC databases, you need to stop the processes on all nodes.

Stop the processes in the following order:

1. Stop the Enterprise Manager Database Control Process

2. Stop the iSQL*Plus Process

3. Shut Down All Database Instances

4. Stop Existing Listeners

$ORACLE_HOME/bin/emctl stop dbconsole

$ORACLE_HOME/bin/isqlplusctl stop

sqlplus SYS "AS SYSDBA"
Enter password:
SQL> shutdown immediate

2.1.9 Configure the Oracle User's Environment

Run Oracle Universal Installer (OUI) using the account that owns the Oracle software. This is usually the oracle account.

However, before you start Oracle Universal Installer you must configure the environment of the oracle user. To configure the environment, you must:

• Set the default file mode creation mask (umask) to 022 in the shell startup file.

• Set the DISPLAY environment variable.

To set the oracle user's environment:

1. Start a new terminal session, for example, an X terminal (xterm).

2. Enter the following command to ensure that X Window applications can display on this system:

   $ xhost fully_qualified_remote_host_name
   
   

   For example:

   $ xhost somehost.us.acme.com
   
   

3. If you are not already logged in to the system where you want to install the software, then log in to that system as the oracle user.

4. If you are not logged in as the oracle user, then switch user to oracle:

   $ su - oracle
   
   

5. To determine the default shell for the oracle user, enter the following command:

   $ echo $SHELL
   
   

6. Open the oracle user's shell startup file in any text editor:

   Note:

   On Red Hat Linux, .bash_profile is the user startup file for the Bash shell.

   • Bourne shell (sh), Bash shell (bash), or Korn shell (ksh):

     $ vi .bash_profile
     
     

   • C shell (csh or tcsh):

     % vi .login
     
     

7. Enter or edit the following line, specifying a value of 022 for the default file mode creation mask:

   umask 022
   
   

8. If the ORACLE_SID, ORACLE_HOME, or ORACLE_BASE environment variable is set in the file, then remove the corresponding lines from the file.

9. Save the file, and exit from the editor.

10. To run the shell startup script, enter one of the following commands:

    • Bash shell on Red Hat Enterprise Linux:

      $ . ./.bash_profile
      
      

    • Bourne, Bash, or Korn shell:

      $ . ./.profile
      
      

    • C shell:

      % source ./.login
      
      

11. If you are not installing the software on the local system, then enter a command similar to the following to direct X applications to display on the local system:

    • Bourne, Bash, or Korn shell:

      $ DISPLAY=local_host:0.0 ; export DISPLAY
      
      

    • C shell:

      % setenv DISPLAY local_host:0.0
      
      

    In this example, local_host is the host name or IP address of the system that you want to use to display Oracle Universal Installer (your workstation or PC).

12. If you determined that the /tmp directory has less than 400 MB of free disk space, then identify a file system with at least 400 MB of free space and set the TEMP and TMPDIR environment variables to specify a temporary directory on this file system:

    1. Use the df -k command to identify a suitable file system with sufficient free space.

    2. If necessary, enter commands similar to the following to create a temporary directory on the file system that you identified, and set the appropriate permissions on the directory:

       $ su - root
       # mkdir /mount_point/tmp
       # chmod a+wr /mount_point/tmp
       # exit
       
       

    3. Enter commands similar to the following to set the TEMP and TMPDIR environment variables:

       • Bourne, Bash, or Korn shell:

         $ TEMP=/mount_point/tmp
         $ TMPDIR=/mount_point/tmp
         $ export TEMP TMPDIR
         
         

       • C shell:

         % setenv TEMP /mount_point/tmp
         % setenv TMPDIR /mount_point/tmp
         
         

13. Enter commands similar to the following to set the ORACLE_BASE and ORACLE_SID environment variables:

    • Bourne, Bash, or Korn shell:

      $ ORACLE_BASE=/u01/app/oracle
      $ ORACLE_SID=sales
      $ export ORACLE_BASE ORACLE_SID
      
      

    • C shell:

      % setenv ORACLE_BASE /u01/app/oracle
      % setenv ORACLE_SID sales
      
      

    In these examples, /u01/app/oracle is the Oracle base directory that you created or identified earlier and sales is the name that you want to call the database (typically no more than five characters).

14. Enter the following commands to ensure that the ORACLE_HOME and TNS_ADMIN environment variables are not set:

    • Bourne, Bash, or Korn shell:

      $ unset ORACLE_HOME
      $ unset TNS_ADMIN
      
      

    • C shell:

      % unsetenv ORACLE_HOME
      % unsetenv TNS_ADMIN
      
      

15. To verify that the environment has been set correctly, enter the following commands:

    $ umask
    $ env | more
    
    

    Verify that the umask command displays a value of 22, 022, or 0022 and the environment variables that you set in this section have the correct values.

2.1.10 Run Oracle Universal Installer to Install

Run Oracle Universal Installer (OUI) to install Oracle Database Vault into an existing Oracle Database 10g release 2 (10.2.0.3) database. You should run the installer as the software owner account that owns the current ORACLE_HOME environment. This is normally the oracle account.

Log in as the oracle user. Alternatively, switch user to oracle using the su command. Change your current directory to the directory containing the installation files. Start Oracle Universal Installer.

./runInstaller

The following steps discuss the options you need to select:

1. In the Specify Installation Details screen, you need to specify the path to the Oracle home that contains the existing Oracle Database. The Destination Path box lists the Oracle home paths of all Oracle Database release 2 (10.2.0.3) Enterprise Edition databases registered with the system.

   Select the Oracle home corresponding to the database into which you want to install Oracle Database Vault.

   Note:

   • If an Oracle home does not have an Enterprise Edition of Oracle Database release 10.2.0.3 installed, then it is not displayed. You must ensure that the Oracle home has an Enterprise Edition of Oracle Database release 10.2.0.3 installed.

   • If an Oracle home does not have Oracle Enterprise Manager Console DB 10.2.0.3.0 installed, then it is not displayed. You must ensure that the Oracle home has Oracle Enterprise Manager Console DB 10.2.0.3.0 installed.

   • If an Oracle home contains an Automatic Storage Management (ASM) instance, then it is not displayed. You cannot install Oracle Database Vault into an Oracle home that also contains an ASM instance.

   • If an Oracle home already contains Oracle Database Vault, then it is not displayed. You cannot install Oracle Database Vault into an Oracle home more than once.

2. Enter a user name for the Database Vault Owner account in the Database Vault Owner field. The user name can be a minimum of 2 and maximum of 30 characters long.

3. Enter a password for the Database Vault Owner account in the Database Vault Owner Password field. The password can be a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 30 characters. The password must include at least one alphabet, one digit, and one nonalphanumeric character (symbol). It cannot be the same as the account names for either the Database Vault owner or the Database Vault account manager. It cannot contain any consecutive repeating characters.

4. Reenter the password in the Confirm Password field.

5. Select Create a Separate Account Manager if you want to create a separate Account Manager to manage Oracle Database Vault accounts.

6. In the Database Vault Account Manager field, enter a user name for the Database Vault Account Manager if you have chosen to select the Create a Separate Account Manager check box. The user name can be a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 30 characters.

7. Enter a password for the Database Vault Account Manager account in the Account Manager Password field. The password can be a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 30 characters. The password must include at least one alphabet, one digit, and one nonalphanumeric character (symbol). It cannot be the same as the account names for either the Database Vault owner or the Database Vault account manager. It cannot contain any consecutive repeating characters.

8. Reenter the password in the Confirm Password field. Click Next.

9. The Select Existing Database screen is displayed. A list of all databases running from the selected Oracle home is displayed. Select the database into which you wish to install Oracle Database Vault.

   Note:

   • If the selected Oracle home contains more than one database, then Operating System (OS) authentication is turned off for all the databases in the Oracle home.

   • Oracle recommends that you install Oracle Database Vault into an Oracle home containing only a single database.

   • If a database is not listed, then check to make sure that you have followed the instructions under "Check the Database Requirements".

10. Enter the existing SYS user password for the selected database in the Existing Database SYS Password field.

11. Reenter the SYS password in the Confirm Password field. Click Next.

    Note:

    At this point, the database requirements are validated.

12. You are prompted to shut down all Oracle processes running from the Oracle home before proceeding. Shut down the Oracle processes, if you have not already done so.

    See Also:

    "Stop Existing Oracle Processes" for more information on stopping existing Oracle processes

13. Product-specific prerequisite checks are performed. Confirm that all tests have passed. Click Next to continue.

14. The Summary screen is displayed with the installation details. Verify the details and click Install.

15. The Installation screen is displayed. After the installation completes, the Database Vault Configuration Assistant (DVCA) is run automatically. DVCA helps configure the Database Vault installation.

2.2.1 Back Up the Database

Make sure you perform a full backup of the production database. See Oracle Database Backup and Recovery User's Guide for details on backing up a database.

2.2.2 Update Environment Variables After the Upgrade (UNIX Systems Only)

Make sure that the following environment variables point to the correct Oracle Database Vault directories:

• ORACLE_HOME

• PATH

• ORA_NLS10

  Note:

  The ORA_NLS10 environment variable replaces the ORA_NLS33 environment variable, so you may need to unset ORA_NLS33 and set ORA_NLS10.

• LD_LIBRARY_PATH

2.2.3 Change Passwords for Oracle-Supplied Accounts

Oracle strongly recommends that you change the password for each account after installation. This enables you to effectively implement the strong security provided by Oracle Database Vault.

2.2.4 Enable or Disable Connections with the SYSDBA Privilege

In a default Database Vault installation, the operating system authentication to the database is disabled. In addition, connections to the database using the SYSDBA privilege (that is, those that use the AS SYSDBA clause) are disabled. This is a security feature and is implemented to prevent misuse of the SYSDBA privilege.

If a password file has been created using the orapwd utility with the nosysdba flag set to y (Yes) (the default action of a Database Vault installation), users will not be able to log in to an Oracle Database Vault instance using the SYS account or any account with SYSDBA privilege using the AS SYSDBA clause. You can reenable the ability to connect with the SYSDBA privilege by re-creating the password file with the nosysdba flag set to n (No). You might need to reenable the ability to connect with SYSDBA privileges, if certain products or utilities require it's use.

When you re-create the password file, any accounts other than SYS that were granted the SYSDBA or SYSOPER privileges will have those privileges removed. You will need to regrant the privileges for these accounts after you have re-created the password file.

Use the following syntax to run orapwd:

orapwd file=filename password=password [entries=users] force=y/n nosysdba=y/n

Where:

• file: Name of password file (mandatory)

• password: Password for SYS (mandatory). Enter at least six alphanumeric characters.

• entries: Maximum number of distinct DBA users

• force: Whether to overwrite the existing file (optional). Enter y (for yes) or n (for no)

• nosysdba: Whether to enable or disable the SYS logon (optional for Oracle Database Vault only). Enter y (for yes) or n (for no)

  The default is no, so if you omit this flag, the password file will be created enabling SYSDBA access for Oracle Database Vault instances.

For example:

orapwd file=$ORACLE_HOME/dbs/orapworcl password=5hjk99 force=y nosysdba=n

Enabling or Disabling Connecting with SYSDBA on Oracle Real Application Clusters Systems

Under a cluster file system and raw devices, the password file under $ORACLE_HOME is in a symbolic link that points to the shared storage location in the default configuration. In this case, the orapwd command you issue affects all nodes.

Enabling or Disabling Connecting with SYSDBA on Automatic Storage Management Systems

For Automatic Storage Management systems, you need to update each node to enable or disable the SYSDBA connection privilege by using the orapwd utility.

2.2.5 Start the Listener and Database on Other Nodes (RAC Only)

You need to start the listener and database on all RAC nodes other than the one on which the installation is performed. Use the following commands to start the listener and the database:

$ORACLE_HOME/bin/lsnrctl start LISTENER_nodename
srvctl start instance -d sid -i instance_name -c "SYS/password AS SYSDBA"

2.2.6 Run DVCA to Set Instance Parameters and Lock Out SYSDBA Sessions (RAC Only)

After installing Database Vault for a Real Application Clusters (RAC) instance, you need to run Database Vault Configuration Assistant (DVCA) with the -action optionrac switch on all other RAC nodes. This sets instance parameters and disables SYSDBA operating system authentication.

You need to run this command on all RAC nodes other than the node on which the Database Vault installation is performed. This step is required to enable the enhanced security features provided by Oracle Database Vault.

Use the following syntax to run DVCA:

# dvca -action optionrac -racnode host_name -oh oracle_home -jdbc_str jdbc_connection_string -sys_passwd sys_password [-logfile ./dvca.log] [-silent] [-nodecrypt] [-lockout]

Where:

• action: The action to perform. optionrac performs the action of updating the instance parameters for the RAC instance and optionally disabling SYSDBA operating system access for the instance.

• racnode: The host name of the RAC node on which the action is being performed. Do not include the domain name with the host name.

• oh: The Oracle home for the RAC instance.

• jdbc_str: The JDBC connection string used to connect to the database. For example, "jdbc:oracle:oci:@orcl1".

• sys_password: The password for the SYS user.

• logfile: Optionally, specify a log file name and location. You can enter an absolute path or a path that is relative to the location of the $ORACLE_HOME/bin directory.

• silent: Required if you are not running DVCA in an xterm window.

• nodecrypt: Reads plaintext passwords as passed on the command line.

• lockout: Used to disable SYSDBA operating system authentication.