OCP: Oracle 10g Administration II Study Guide: Exam 1Z0-043

9.1. Introducing the ASM Architecture

ASM not only enhances performance by automatically spreading database objects over multiple devices, but it increases availability by allowing new disk devices to be added to the database without shutting down the database; ASM automatically rebalances the distribution of files with minimal intervention.

ASM also eases the administrative burden of managing potentially thousands of database files by creating disk groups, which are comprised of disk devices and the files that reside on the disk devices managed as a logical unit. ASM divides the datafiles and other database structures into extents and divides the extents among all the disks in the disk group to enhance both performance and reliability. Instead ...