Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Documentation

Perform Database Switchover and Failover

You initiate a switchover or failover operation by using the Data Guard association of the standby database.

Switchover

A switchover reverses the primary and standby database roles. Each database continues to participate in the Oracle Data Guard association in its new role. A switchover ensures no data loss. You can use a switchover before you perform planned maintenance on the primary database. Performing planned maintenance on a DB system with an Oracle Data Guard association is typically done by switching the primary database to the standby role, performing maintenance on the standby database, and then switching it back to the primary role.

Failover

A failover transitions the standby database into the primary role after the existing primary database fails or becomes unreachable. A failover might result in some data loss when you use Maximum Performance protection mode.

Perform Database Switchover

You initiate a switchover operation by using the Data Guard association of the primary database.

  1. Open the navigation menu. Select Oracle Database, then select Oracle Base Database Service.
  2. Select your Compartment. A list of DB systems is displayed.
  3. In the list of DB systems, click the name of the DB system with the primary database you want to switch over.
  4. The details of the DB system followed by a list of databases are displayed.
  5. In the list of databases, click the name of the primary database.
  6. Under Resources, click Data Guard associations.
  7. For the Data Guard association on which you want to perform a switchover, click the Actions menu, and then click Switchover.
  8. In the Switchover database dialog box, enter the database admin password, and then click OK.

    This database should now assume the role of the standby, and the standby should assume the role of the primary in the Data Guard association.

Perform Database Failover

You initiate a failover operation by using the Data Guard association of the standby database.

  1. Open the navigation menu. Select Oracle Database, then select Oracle Base Database Service.
  2. Select your Compartment. A list of DB systems is displayed.
  3. In the list of DB systems, click the name of the DB system with the primary database's peer standby you want to fail over to.
  4. The details of the DB system followed by a list of databases are displayed.
  5. In the list of databases, click the name of the standby database.
  6. Under Resources, click Data Guard associations.
  7. For the Data Guard association on which you want to perform a failover, click Failover.
  8. In the Failover database dialog box, enter the database admin password, and then click OK.

    This database should now assume the role of the primary, and the old primary's role should display as Disabled standby.