Oracle 19c Data Guard Switchover Procedure – Step-by-Step Guide
Purpose
This guide describes a step-by-step approach to perform a switchover in an Oracle Data Guard configuration.
Prerequisites
- Primary and Standby are healthy and synchronized.
- Both databases are under clusterware control.
- SYSDBA connectivity is available.
- Application services are stopped before switchover.
Environment Details
| Primary Database | PRD_CDB |
| Standby Database | STBY_CDB |
| Primary Server | PRD_NODE1 |
| Standby Server | STBY_NODE1 |
Switchover Procedure (With Actual Output)
1. Remove DelayMins (if configured)
DGMGRL> connect sys/<password>
DGMGRL> show database PRD_CDB delaymins;
DGMGRL> edit database PRD_CDB set property 'DelayMins'='0';
DGMGRL> show database PRD_CDB delaymins;
Sample Output:
DelayMins = '180'
Property "DelayMins" updated
DelayMins = '0'
2. Shut Down Application Services
Ensure all application connections to PRD_CDB are stopped.
3. Validate Archive Destinations
SELECT DEST_NAME, STATUS, DESTINATION
FROM V$ARCHIVE_DEST
WHERE DESTINATION IS NOT NULL;
4. Check Primary Database Status
DGMGRL> SHOW DATABASE 'PRD_CDB';
Sample Output:
Database - PRD_CDB
Role: PRIMARY
Intended State: TRANSPORT-ON
Instance(s):
prd1
prd2
Database Status:
SUCCESS
5. Check Standby Database Status
DGMGRL> SHOW DATABASE VERBOSE 'STBY_CDB';
Sample Output:
Database - STBY_CDB
Role: PHYSICAL STANDBY
Intended State: APPLY-ON
Apply Lag: 0 seconds
Transport Lag: (unknown)
Instance(s):
stby1 (apply instance)
stby2
Database Status:
SUCCESS
6. Validate Databases for Switchover
DGMGRL> validate database PRD_CDB;
DGMGRL> validate database STBY_CDB;
Sample Output:
Ready for Switchover: Yes
Flashback Database: Off
Managed by Clusterware: YES
7. Perform Switchover
DGMGRL> SWITCHOVER TO STBY_CDB;
Sample Output:
Performing switchover NOW, please wait...
Connected to "STBY_CDB" as SYSDBA.
New primary database "STBY_CDB" is opening...
Oracle Clusterware is restarting database "PRD_CDB" ...
Switchover succeeded, new primary is "STBY_CDB"
8. Post-Switchover Verification
DGMGRL> SHOW CONFIGURATION;
Sample Output:
Configuration Status: SUCCESS
Primary: STBY_CDB
Standby: PRD_CDBFrequently Asked Questions:
1. What is a switchover in Oracle Data Guard?
A switchover is a planned role reversal where the primary database
becomes standby and the standby database becomes primary without
data loss.
2.What conditions must be met before performing a
switchover?
- Standbydatabase must be in sync with primary.
- RedoApply must be running.
- No archivegap.
- DG Broker configuration must be valid.
- Databases should be ready for switchover (DGMGRL VALIDATE).
3. What does the “VALIDATE DATABASE” command check?
It checks:
- Database sync status
- Apply lag and transport lag
- Archive gaps
- Flashback availability
- Clusterware management
- Whether databases are ready for role transition
4. What is “Apply Lag” and “Transport Lag”?
- Apply Lag – delay between redo applied on standby vs primary.
- Transport Lag – delay in redo shipping.
Zero lag is ideal before switchover5. What do you do if switchover fails halfway?
6. How do you check if a DB is ready for switchover?
DGMGRL> VALIDATE DATABASE <db_name>;
7. How do you check Data Guard configuration after
switchover?
DGMGRL> SHOW CONFIGURATION;
DGMGRL> SHOW DATABASE <db_name>;
8. What should DBAs check post-switchover?
New primary open read/write
Old primary running as standby
Apply running
Archive log shipping
Services running correctly
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