Preparing for the Move to Multitenant Architecture

Oracle version 12 supports the multitenant architecture, with a container database called the CDB and pluggable databases called PDBs. The question isn’t if you should move to the Oracle Multitenant Architecture, but when. The database architecture that you are currently using is now called NON-CDB and it will be deprecated eventually.

When is the time right to make the move? There are four main things that DBAs need to consider before making the move to multitenant architecture: The training required to support it, changes to monitoring scripts that use O/S authentication, unsupported features, and licensing cost.

Training

Don’t let the new commands or architecture hold you back, the sooner you become comfortable with Oracle Multitenant Architecture, the better. Spend a day with the oracle lab that walks you through several scenarios, read the oracle white paper, and request some training from your management, or offer to do a lunch and learn for your team.

Changes to monitoring scripts

Oracle will tell you to use OEM for everything and to move away from CRON scripts.  That’s an option. Or start converting your scripts so that they will work for your current NON-CDB database as well as for future Container Databases. Create a script that allows for the container and pluggable database to be input as variables so the script can be used across all databases.  Or set the container and pluggable database within the script.  Start connecting to your database via a service name instead of the database SID.

Unsupported Features

Review the list of 12.1 unsupported features and delay your move to multitenant until these have been addressed or find workarounds. Can you do a pluggable database point in time recovery instead of flashback database? Are you ready to move away from Oracle Streams and onto Golden Gate?

Licensing Cost

As for licensing, one pluggable database per container does not require extra licensing.  You can take advantage of some of the new features with a single pluggable database such as faster cloning and faster upgrades.  If your business is willing to license multiple pluggable databases, this will speed up provisioning of new databases especially if you work in an environment where the need for a new copy of prod comes up frequently.

12.2 has been released and 11 is soon to be on extended support. The time to start preparing for the multitenant architecture has arrived. Read our white paper: “Upgrading to Oracle 12c” to learn more about the upgrade process.

Contact us today. With an average of 15 years of experience, Datavail’s Oracle DBA experts have encountered every challenge and you can rest assured that those who know the tricks of the trade manage your database. Our Oracle database administrators can guide you through strategic initiatives and routine management. This breadth of experience has enabled us to provide successful management for smaller operations to larger environments up to 50TB databases.