oracledba.help
System

Control Files

Each CONTROL_FILES parameter entry is required to be:

  • Comma separated.
  • Contained in single quotes.

Add

A control file is added using the following steps:

  1. Change the control_files parameter adding the path to the new control file.
  2. Shut down the database.
  3. At the OS level copy one of the existing control files to the new control file location making
    sure to change the name.
  4. Start the database.
  5. Confirm that the database is OK.

Control file to add: R:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl 

SQLPLUS> ALTER SYSTEM SET control_files=
        'C:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl',
        'O:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl',
        'R:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl' SCOPE=SPFILE;
SQLPLUS> shutdown immediate
OS> copy C:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl R:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl
SQLPLUS> startup
SQLPLUS> SELECT name FROM v$controlfile;

Backup SPFILE To Trace

SQLPLUS> alter database backup controlfile to trace;
Trace file is created in the udump directory.

Display

SELECT name FROM v$controlfile;
show parameter control_files;

Drop

A control file is dropped by performing the following steps:

  1. Remove it from the control_files parameter.
  2. Bounce the database.
  3. After confirming the database is OK delete the corresponding control file.

The control file to be dropped in this example: X:/oradata/ctl/control.ctl. 

SQLPLUS> ALTER SYSTEM SET control_files=
         'C:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl',
         'R:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl'
         SCOPE=SPFILE;
SQLPLUS> shutdown immediate
SQLPLUS> startup
SQLPLUS> SELECT name FROM v$controlfile;
OS> del X:\oradata\DB1\ctl\control.ctl

Move

A control file is moved using the following steps:

  1. Change the control_files parameter changing the path to the corresponding control file.
  2. Shut down the database.
  3. At the OS level copy the file to the new location.
  4. Start the database.
  5. Confirm that the database is OK and the location of the control files.

The control file to be moved in this example: D:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl. 

SQLPLUS> ALTER SYSTEM SET control_files=
         'C:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl',
         'X:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl'
         SCOPE=SPFILE;
SQLPLUS> shutdown immediate
OS> copy D:\oradata\ctl\control.ctl X:\oradata\control.ctl
SQLPLUS> startup
SQLPLUS> SELECT name FROM v$controlfile;

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