Setting up Oracle 23ai FREE on Windows Server 2022 Azure Edition

 Setting up Oracle 23ai FREE on Windows Server 2022 Azure Edition

Howdy!

In this quick blog post, we shall go through the steps of setting up Oracle 23ai FREE on Windows Server 2022 Azure Edition

Prerequisites:

1. An Azure Account - Free Trial / Pay As You Go
2. Oracle 23ai Windows Installer 
3. Admin Rights to install
   
   
   
   Setup:
   
   1) Once you have provisioned a VM in Azure, follow these next steps
   
   2) Download the Oracle Database 23ai FREE from the followinf URL
   
   Get Started with Oracle Database 23ai | Oracle
   
   Here is the link to the installer:

        3) Create a directory on your C:\ say C:\dbfree 

        4) Now Run the installer and follow the screenshots presented in the next few steps.

 

Now if you see this error: Follow the steps outlined and restart the installer: Oracle is aware of this.

Installer rollback and failure when installing on Windows (with INS-32113 error in installActions<timestamp>.out file) - Oracle Forums

In a Windows Command Prompt run the following as an Administrator.

icacls c:\dbfree /inheritancelevel:d

                                              icacls c:\dbfree /remove:g *s-1-5-11

Now review the properties of the C:\dbfree directory

Once you have applied the instructions. 

Now you can see the install making progress

The install will succeed and show a success page as shown below.

Now let's test this out ...

Now let's verify the name, open_mode and platform_name from the V$database view.

SQL> select name,open_mode,platform_name

  2  from v$database;

NAME      OPEN_MODE

--------- --------------------

PLATFORM_NAME

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FREE      READ WRITE

Microsoft Windows x86 64-bit

Congratulations!  You now have Oracle23ai FREE running in Windows Server 2022 Azure Edition!

Stay tuned for more tutorials coming up...

Happy Databasing!! with Oracle 23ai!

 

Setting Up Oracle 23ai in a Docker Container Using the Free Edition for Linux

 Setting Up Oracle 23ai in a Docker Container Using the Free Edition for Linux

In the world of database management, Oracle 23ai stands out with its advanced features and capabilities. Setting it up in a Docker container is a great way to leverage these features in a scalable and isolated environment. This guide will walk you through the steps to set up Oracle 23ai Free Edition for Linux in a Docker container.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following installed:

• Docker
• Docker Compose (optional, but recommended)

For this guide, we will be using Oracle Linux 8 as the Linux distribution. You can download and install Oracle Linux from the official Oracle Linux download page.

Step 1: Downloading the Latest Oracle 23ai Docker Image

Header: Downloading the Latest Oracle 23ai Docker Image

Oracle provides a pre-built Docker image for Oracle 23ai Free Edition. You can download the latest version of this image from the Oracle Container Registry or Docker Hub. Here’s how:

docker pull container-registry.oracle.com/database/free:latest

This command will download the latest version of the Oracle 23ai Free Edition Docker image to your system.

Step 2: Create a Docker Network

Header: Creating a Docker Network

It’s good practice to create a dedicated Docker network for your database container. This network will allow you to easily connect to the database from other containers.

docker network create oracle_network

This command creates a new Docker network named oracle_network.

Step 3: Run the Oracle 23ai Container

Header: Running the Oracle 23ai Container

Now, let’s run the Oracle 23ai container. Replace <password> with a strong password of your choice:

docker run -d --name oracle23ai \
  --network=oracle_network \
  -p 1527:1521 \
  -e ORACLE_SID=FREE \
  -e ORACLE_PDB=FREEPDB1 \
  -e ORACLE_PWD=YourStr0ngP@$$W0rD \
  -v oracle_data:/opt/oracle/oradata \
  container-registry.oracle.com/database/free:latest

This command will start a new container named oracle23ai with the specified environment variables and port mappings. The -v oracle_data:/opt/oracle/oradata option ensures that your data is stored in a Docker volume named oracle_data.

Step 4: Verify the Container is Running

Header: Verifying the Container

Check if the container is running by executing:

docker ps

You should see a container named oracle23ai in the list. If the container is running, it means your Oracle 23ai database is up and running in the Docker container.

Step 5: Connect to the Oracle Database

Header: Connecting to the Oracle Database

You can connect to the Oracle database using SQLPlus, Oracle SQL Developer, or any other SQL client. 

Here is one with using VSCode with the Oracle SQLDeveloper Extension for VS Code

Step 6: Persist Data with Docker Volumes

Header: Ensuring Data Persistence

To ensure your data persists across container restarts, we’ve already used a Docker volume in the docker run command (-v oracle_data:/opt/oracle/oradata). This volume stores the Oracle data files on your host machine, ensuring that your data is not lost when the container is stopped or removed.

Step 7: Managing the Oracle Container

Header: Managing the Oracle Container

Here are a few useful Docker commands for managing your Oracle container:

• Stop the container:

  docker stop oracle23ai

• Start the container:

  docker start oracle23ai

• Remove the container:

  
  docker rm -f oracle23ai
  

These commands allow you to easily manage the lifecycle of your Oracle 23ai container.

Conclusion

Setting up Oracle 23ai in a Docker container is a straightforward process that allows you to leverage Oracle’s powerful database capabilities in a flexible and isolated environment. With this setup, you can easily manage your database, ensuring data persistence and smooth operation.

Happy databasing!

Introduction to Database Dynamics: Oracle Database and SQL Server Tutorials

 

 Introduction to Database Dynamics: Oracle Database and SQL Server Tutorials

 

In the realm of modern computing, databases serve as the backbone of data management, powering everything from small applications to enterprise-level systems. Understanding and mastering database technologies like Oracle Database and SQL Server are essential skills for any IT professional. This introductory blog aims to delve into the dynamics of these powerful databases, offering insights and tutorials from basics to advanced levels, catering to both on-premises (bare metal and virtual machines) and cloud-based technologies.

 

Why Focus on Oracle Database and SQL Server?

 

Oracle Database and SQL Server are two of the most widely used relational database management systems (RDBMS) globally, each offering robust features tailored to different organizational needs:

 

Oracle Database: Known for its scalability, security, and comprehensive feature set, Oracle Database is a top choice for large enterprises and mission-critical applications. It supports both OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) and OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) workloads, making it versatile for various business scenarios.

Now with 23ai there are more converged technologies ranging from Vector to JSON Duality Views etc

 

SQL Server: Developed by Microsoft, SQL Server is celebrated for its integration with Microsoft products, ease of use, and strong support for business intelligence and data warehousing. It’s favored by organizations embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem and those seeking robust analytics capabilities.

 

What You'll Learn

 

This blog series will cover a wide range of topics, structured to cater to beginners looking to understand the fundamentals, as well as seasoned professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge:

 

1. Basic Concepts and Installation:

   - Getting started with Oracle Database and SQL Server.

   - Installation guides for on-premises setups, including bare metal servers and virtual machines (VMs).

 

2. Database Administration (DBA) Essentials:

   - Managing databases, users, and security.

   - Backup and recovery strategies to safeguard critical data.

 

3. Advanced Topics and Performance Tuning:

   - Optimizing database performance for enhanced speed and efficiency.

   - Implementing high availability and disaster recovery solutions.

 

4. Cloud Integration and Migration:

   - Leveraging Oracle Cloud and Microsoft Azure for database hosting.

   - Best practices for migrating databases to the cloud and managing hybrid environments.

 

On-premises vs. Cloud Solutions

 

Understanding the nuances of deploying databases on-premises versus in the cloud is crucial in today's IT landscape. We’ll explore:

 

On-premises Deployments: Setting up databases on physical servers and virtual machines, ensuring scalability and performance.

 

Cloud Technologies: Embracing the flexibility and scalability of cloud platforms like Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and Microsoft Azure, and discussing strategies for seamless integration and migration.

 

Conclusion

 

By the end of this series, you’ll have gained a comprehensive understanding of Oracle Database and SQL Server, equipped with practical skills to manage databases across diverse environments. Whether you’re an aspiring database administrator, a seasoned IT professional, or simply curious about database technologies, this blog series aims to empower you with knowledge that’s both foundational and cutting-edge.

 

Stay tuned as we embark on a journey through Database Dynamics, uncovering the power and potential of Oracle Database and SQL Server.

 

Happy learning!