What's New in Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2)

The following is a list of new features or enhancements provided with Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2):

• New Grid Infrastructure Installation Option

• New Desktop and Server Class Options

• Daylight Savings Time Upgrade of Timestamp with Timezone Data Type

• New Tool to Configure Custom Installation Options

• Deinstallation Tool

• Intelligent Data Placement

• Oracle Automatic Storage Management Cluster File System (Oracle ACFS)

• Data Pump Export and Data Pump Import

• Use Oracle Restart to Automatically Restart Your Database

• SRVCTL Support for Single Instance Database in a Cluster

• Deprecated in Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2)

New Grid Infrastructure Installation Option

Oracle Database 11g Release 2 introduces the Grid Infrastructure installation. For single instance databases, the grid infrastructure includes Automatic Storage Management, the listener, and Oracle Restart. Oracle Restart is a new feature that provides the ability to monitor, manage, and automatically restart on failure the Oracle Database environment including the Oracle Database instance, Oracle Automatic Storage Management instance, and listeners. In a clustered environment, the Grid Infrastructure includes Oracle Clusterware, Automatic Storage Management, and the listener.

Grid Infrastructure is only available on 64-bit Windows.

If you want to use grid infrastructure for a standalone server, then you must install the Oracle software from the grid infrastructure media before you install the database.

New Desktop and Server Class Options

Oracle Database 11g Release 2 introduces a new option that enables you to specify the type of system on which the database is installed. If you are installing on a laptop or a desktop, then select the Desktop Class option; otherwise, select the Server Class option to install on a server. These options are available on the System Class screen.

There is no difference in the software that gets installed after you select any one option but the Desktop Class option installs a single instance database without the advanced configuration options.

Daylight Savings Time Upgrade of Timestamp with Timezone Data Type

When time zone version files are updated due to Daylight Saving Time changes, TIMESTAMP WITH TIMEZONE (TSTZ) data could become stale. In previous releases, database administrators ran the SQL script utltzuv2.sql to detect TSTZ data affected by the time zone version changes and then had to perform extensive manual procedures to update the TSTZ data.

With this release, TSTZ data is updated transparently with very minimal manual procedures using newly provided DBMS_DST PL/SQL packages. In addition, there is no longer a need for clients to patch their time zone data files.

SYSASM Privilege

Starting with 11g Release 2, Oracle ASM administration must be done with the SYSASM privilege. The SYSASM privilege also can be granted using password authentication on the Oracle ASM instance.

You can designate OPERATOR privileges (a subset of the SYSASM privileges, including starting and stopping Oracle ASM) to members of the ORA_OPER for Oracle ASM group.

Using the SYSASM privilege for Oracle ASM administration creates a clearer division of responsibility between Oracle ASM administration and database administration.

New Tool to Configure Custom Installation Options

Oracle Universal Installer no longer provides the custom installation option of individual components. Use the chopt tool, a command-line utility that is located in the ORACLE_HOME\bin directory, to configure the database options.

Deinstallation Tool

Oracle Universal Installer no longer removes Oracle software. Use the new Deinstallation Tool (deinstall) available on the installation media before installation and in the Oracle home directory after installation.

Run this tool from ORACLE_HOME first. It is located in:

ORACLE_HOME\deinstall.

An error occurs if there are any missing files and the tool prompts you to download the standalone version available in the deinstall directory on the installation media.

Intelligent Data Placement

The Intelligent Data Placement feature enables you to specify disk regions on Oracle ASM disks to ensure that frequently accessed data is placed on the outermost (hot) tracks which provide higher performance.

Oracle Automatic Storage Management Cluster File System (Oracle ACFS)

Oracle Automatic Storage Management Cluster File System (Oracle ACFS) is a new multi-platform, scalable file system, and storage management design that extends Oracle ASM technology to support data which cannot be stored in Oracle ASM, in both single instance and cluster configurations. Additionally, Oracle ACFS provides snapshot functionality for a point in time copy of an Oracle ACFS system.

The software required for Oracle Automatic Storage Management Cluster File System is installed with the grid infrastructure installation.

Data Pump Export and Data Pump Import

Data Pump provides a legacy mode in which you can use original Export and Import parameters when performing Data Pump Export and Import operations.

Use Oracle Restart to Automatically Restart Your Database

Oracle Restart is a new feature included in this release to enhance the availability of Oracle databases in a single-instance environment. If you install Oracle Restart, and there is a temporary failure of any part of the Oracle Database software stack, including the database, listener, and Automatic Storage Management instance, Oracle Restart automatically restarts the failed component. In addition, Oracle Restart starts all these components when the database host computer is restarted. The components are started in the proper order, taking into consideration the dependencies among components.

New Method of Installing Oracle Automatic Storage Management

In past releases, Oracle Automatic Storage Management was installed as part of the Oracle Database installation. With Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2), Oracle Automatic Storage Management is installed when you install the grid infrastructure components and shares an Oracle home with Oracle Clusterware when installed in a cluster such as with Oracle RAC or with Oracle Restart on a single instance database.

If you want to upgrade an existing Oracle ASM, then you must upgrade Oracle ASM by running an Oracle grid infrastructure upgrade. If you do not have Oracle ASM installed and you want to use Oracle ASM as your storage option, then you must complete an Oracle grid infrastructure installation before you start your Oracle Database installation.

SRVCTL Support for Single Instance Database in a Cluster

SRVCTL has been enhanced to support single instance databases with Oracle Restart on standalone servers and on clusters with Oracle Clusterware. SRVCTL is a command-line interface used to manage Oracle processes (database instance, listener, Oracle ASM instance) when using Oracle Restart. With SRVCTL, you can manage the Oracle Restart configuration, see the status of processes managed by Oracle Restart, and start or stop processes such as the Oracle Database.

Deprecated in Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2)

The following are not supported or not available anymore with Oracle Database 11g Release 2:

• Installing data files directly on raw devices is no longer available during installation with Oracle Universal Installer or Database Configuration Assistant. You must use a file system, or use Automatic Storage Management.

• Custom installation option

• Windows Server 2000

• Oracle Ultra Search