Common Oracle DB Installation Issues on Ubuntu Linux Servers

Installing Oracle Database on Ubuntu Linux can be a daunting task, especially if you encounter issues along the way. In this blog post, we will explore some common installation problems and provide step-by-step solutions. We will also highlight best practices to ensure a smooth installation process.

Essentials at a Glance to Oracle Database on Ubuntu

Oracle Database is a multi-model database management system that is widely used for running online transaction processing (OLTP), data warehousing (DW), and mixed database workloads. Running OracleDB on Ubuntu offers the advantages of a stable operating system alongside rich community support. However, compatibility is a common issue, leading to numerous installation headaches.

Whether you're setting up a development environment, a testing server, or a production system, it is crucial that your Oracle DB installation goes smoothly. Here, we will cover the most frequently encountered issues during installation along with their respective resolutions.

Common Installation Challenges

1. Unsupported Operating System Version

Issue: Oracle Database has specific requirements for supported Linux versions. While Ubuntu is supported, certain versions may not work seamlessly with the Oracle installer.

Solution: Always check the Oracle Database installation documentation for the latest supported versions. As of October 2023, Oracle 19c is a popular choice for Ubuntu.

2. Insufficient Memory and Swap Space

Issue: Oracle Database requires a significant amount of memory (RAM) and swap space. An insufficient setup can lead to the failure of the installation or running the database afterward.

Solution: At least 2 GB of RAM and a swap space equal to the size of your RAM (or at least 8 GB) are recommended. To check your current memory and swap allocation, you can use:

free -m

If you need to create or increase swap space, follow these steps:

# Create a swap file of size 8 GB
sudo fallocate -l 8G /swapfile

# Set the correct permissions
sudo chmod 600 /swapfile

# Format the file as swap
sudo mkswap /swapfile

# Enable the swap file
sudo swapon /swapfile

# Add the swap entry to /etc/fstab to enable it at boot
echo '/swapfile none swap sw 0 0' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab

3. Missing Prerequisites

Issue: The Oracle installer depends on a number of system packages that may not be installed by default on Ubuntu. Missing these can cause the installation process to fail.

Solution: Use the following command to install the necessary packages:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install alien libaio1 unixodbc

Here's a breakdown of why these packages matter:

• alien: This utility allows for converting .rpm files to .deb formats, which makes it easier to install Oracle products.
• libaio1: Essential for asynchronous I/O operations used by Oracle.
• unixodbc: Required for ODBC support, particularly useful if you're working with applications that require database connectivity.

4. Incorrect User and Group Permissions

Issue: Oracle Database installs best when run by its own user and group, typically oracle. Misconfigured user permissions can lead to permission-denied errors.

Solution: Create an Oracle user and group, and set them as the owner of the Oracle installation directories:

# Create the oracle group and user
sudo groupadd oinstall
sudo useradd -g oinstall -m oracle

# Set the password for the oracle user
sudo passwd oracle

# Create the necessary directories
sudo mkdir -p /u01/app/oracle
sudo chown -R oracle:oinstall /u01

5. Empty /tmp Directory

Issue: The Oracle installer makes extensive use of the /tmp directory during installation. If it is full or not writable, the installation process can fail.

Solution: Ensure that the /tmp directory has sufficient space and proper permissions.

# Check the available space
df -h /tmp

# Set permissions to make sure it is writable
sudo chmod 1777 /tmp

6. Incorrect Java Version

Issue: Oracle Database requires a certain version of Java to run. An incompatible version can generate JVM errors during installation.

Solution: Install the recommended version of Java. As of the latest installation guides, Oracle recommends using Oracle JDK 8.

# Install software-properties-common for adding new repositories
sudo apt install software-properties-common

# Add the Oracle Java PPA
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
sudo apt update

# Install Oracle JDK
sudo apt install oracle-java8-installer

7. Database Listener Issues

Issue: After installation, you may fail to start the Oracle Listener service. This could be due to misconfiguration in your tnsnames.ora or listener.ora files.

Solution: First, check if the Listener is running using:

lsnrctl status

If it's not running, you can start it with:

lsnrctl start

Ensure your configuration files are correctly set up, including proper ports and service names. Here is an example of what your listener.ora file might look like:

LISTENER =
  (DESCRIPTION_LIST =
    (DESCRIPTION =
      (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = localhost)(PORT = 1521))
    )
  )

8. Inadequate Disk Space

Issue: The Oracle Database installation requires a significant amount of disk space. If the disk is full or nearly full, the installation will halt unexpectedly.

Solution: Use the following command to check available disk space:

df -h

To clear unnecessary files or extend the disk, you can consider moving non-essential files or increasing your disk capacity.

Final Considerations

The installation of Oracle Database on Ubuntu Linux servers can come with its set of challenges. By proactively addressing these common issues, you can save time and avoid significant headaches. Always refer to the official Oracle documentation for the latest compatibility and installation instructions.

By following the outlined steps, you can ensure that your Oracle Database installation not only succeeds but is also optimized for high performance and stability. Happy database managing!

If you have additional questions or would like to share your own installation experiences, feel free to leave a comment below.