Migration of Oracle Database Instances across OS Platforms

In this section, we will discuss how to migrate an existing database from one OS platform
to another (i.e.: Windows to Solaris).

We can migrate database across OS platform as part of an Oracle version upgrade (oracle
8i ….oracle 11g) or within the same oracle version (oracle 10.2.0 to 10.2.0)
We can not use Migration utility (DBUA) or Scripts to perform a cross platform
migration.

We can only Re-build database instance and data moved using one of the following
methods:

 Export / Import.
 Transportable Tablespaces 10G or Later
 RMAN Convert Database functions. 10G or Later

Project
Migration of Database across OS Platform through Export and Import

We can use Export and Import utility for moving an existing Oracle Database from one
platform to another (i.e. UNIX to NT or via-verse).

A full database export and import can be used in all Oracle versions to transfer a database
across platform.

Example:
- Source Database is 32-bit 9.2.0 database on 32-Bit Windows platform
- Target Database is 64-bit 10.2.0 database on 64-bit any UNIX based platform.

Step 1

Query the source database views dba_tablespaces, dba_data_files and dba_temp_files.

You will need this information later in the process.

Step 2

Perform a full export from the source database:

exp system/manager FULL=y FILE=exp_full.dmp LOG=exp_full.log

Step 3

Transfer the export dump file in binary mode to the HP-Unix 11.22 server.
Step 4

Create a new database on the target server.

Step 5

Before importing the dump file, you must first create your tablespaces structure , using
the information obtained in step 1.

Step 6

Perform a full import with the IGNORE parameter enabled:

imp system/manager FULL=y FILE=exp_full.dmp LOG=imp_full.log IGNORE=y

Using IGNORE=y instructs Oracle to ignore any creation errors during the import and
permit the import to complete.