Oracle Database Administration: The Essential Refe

Creating the parameter file

Every database must have an associated initialization parameter file (usually known as INIT.ORA), which provides information on the configuration of the database (see Chapter 3, and Chapter 12, for more information). When first creating a database, the INIT.ORA file only needs to contain parameter assignments, which should include:

DB_NAME

This parameter specifies the name of the database, and must correspond to the name used in the CREATE DATABASE statement.

DB_BLOCK_SIZE

As discussed earlier, this parameter specifies the blocksize to be used for this database.

DB_FILES

This parameter sets the maximum number of datafiles that can be opened for this database. This parameter should be set no higher than the value of the MAXDATAFILES parameter specified during database creation.

CONTROL_FILES

This parameter specifies the names and locations of all control files. We recommend that at least two (and, if possible, more than two) control files be created on different disk devices (and, if possible, on different controllers). Oracle automatically mirrors control file information to each file specified (see Chapter 11, for more information on control files). By creating multiple, mirrored control files, you reduce the risk of being unable to start your database if a single control file is lost or damaged.

Once you have decided on the parameters and values to be placed in the initial INIT.ORA file, the file can be created using any standard text editor. The file is expected ...