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Oracle® Content Database Installation Guide
10g Release 1 (10.2.0.0.0) for AIX 5L Based Systems (64-Bit)

Part Number B31417-01
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4 Preinstallation Requirements for Oracle Content DB Middle Tier


Note:

Prior to installing Oracle Content DB middle tier, you must first install OracleAS Infrastructure (which contains Oracle Identity Management) and Oracle Database. Refer to Chapter 3, "Installing OracleAS Infrastructure and Oracle Database" for more details.

This chapter discusses necessary requirements that must be met prior to installing Oracle Content DB.


See Also:


This chapter includes the following topics:

4.1 Oracle Content DB Hardware Requirements

This section lists the hardware configurations required to install Oracle Content DB.

Oracle Universal Installer checks these requirements at the start of the installation process and warns you if any of these requirements are not met. Therefore, to save time, you can manually check only the remaining requirements.

You can also run the system checks performed by Oracle Universal Installer without doing an installation by running the following command, where the runInstaller executable is on the Oracle Content DB DVD.

$ mount_point/runInstaller -executeSysPrereqs

The results are displayed on the screen as well as written to a log file.


See Also:

"Prerequisite Checks Performed by Oracle Universal Installer" for more information about the subset of checks performed

Table 4-1 Hardware Requirements for AIX Systems

Item Requirement Checked by Oracle Universal Installer

Network

You can install Oracle Content DB on a computer that is connected to a network, or on a "standalone" computer (not connected to the network).

If you are installing Oracle Content DB on a standalone computer, you can connect the computer to a network after installation. You have to perform some configuration tasks when you connect it to the network.

Refer to Oracle Content Database Administrator's Guide for details.

No

Hostname

Ensure that your hostnames are not longer than 255 characters.

Yes

Processor type

All AIX Common Hardware Reference Platform processors (64-bit)

If the processor is a 64-bit processor, the following command returns the value 64:

# /usr/bin/getconf HARDWARE_BITMODE

To make sure the processor is a Common Hardware Reference Platform processor, run the following command as the root user and make sure it returns the value chrp:

# bootinfo -p

No

Disk space

The disk space requirement for Oracle Content DB is 4.12 GB

The installer may display inaccurate disk space requirement figures. Refer to the figures listed above for disk space requirements.

To determine the amount of free disk space, use the df command:

prompt> df -k dir

Replace dir with the Oracle home directory or with the parent directory if the Oracle home directory does not exist yet. For example, if you plan to install Oracle Content DB in /private/oracle/cdb directory, replace directory with /private/oracle or /private/oracle/cdb.

No

Operating System

AIX 5L Based Systems

Yes

IP

The IP address of the computer must be static. Oracle Content DB does not support AIX systems using DHCP.

No

Memory

The memory requirements provided for the various installation types represents enough physical memory to install and run Oracle Content DB. However, for most production sites, you should configure at least 1 GB of physical memory.

For sites with substantial traffic, increasing the amount of memory further may improve your performance. For Java applications, you should either increase the maximum heap allocated to the OC4J processes, or configure additional OC4J processes to utilize this memory.

To determine the amount of memory, enter the following command:

# /usr/sbin/lsattr -E -l sys0 -a realmem

Yes

Space in /tmp directory

400 MB

To determine the amount of free disk space in the /tmp directory, enter the following command:

prompt> df -k /tmp

If the /tmp directory does not have enough free space, you can specify a different directory by setting the TMP environment variable.

See Also: TMP and TMPDIR for more details.

Yes

Swap Space

1.5 GB of available swap space

To determine the amount of available swap space, enter the following command:

# /usr/sbin/lsps -a

If necessary, see your operating system documentation for information on how to configure additional swap space.

Yes

Monitor

256 color display

To determine your monitor's display capabilities, run the following command:

prompt> /usr/X11R6/bin/xdpyinfo

Look for the "depths" line. You need a depth of at least 8 (bits per pixel).

Yes


4.1.1 Running Multiple Instances of Oracle Content DB on One Computer

If you are running multiple instances of Oracle Content DB on one computer, each corresponding instance of Application Server Control can consume significant memory. To free up memory, configure a single instance of Application Server Control to manage multiple instances of Oracle Content DB.

4.2 Oracle Content DB Software Requirements

Oracle Content DB depends upon Oracle Identity Management (part of OracleAS Infrastructure) and Oracle Database 10g. The Oracle Database must be registered with Oracle Internet Directory.

Oracle Universal Installer checks that your computer includes any required operating system patches. If Oracle Universal Installer determines that some required patches are missing, it displays an error.

The Oracle Content DB middle tier runs in Oracle Application Server 10g Release 2 (10.1.2.0.2). For information about software requirements for AIX, refer to Section F, "Software Requirements".

4.3 Configuring Shell Limits and System Configuration Parameters

For AIX, you do not need to configure kernel parameters. However, Oracle recommends that you set shell limits and system configuration parameters as described in this section.

4.3.1 Configure Shell Limits

The following table lists the shell limits that you need to set for AIX. The procedure following the table describes how to verify and set the values.

Shell Limit (As Shown in smit) Recommended Value
Soft FILE size -1 (Unlimited)
Soft CPU time -1 (Unlimited)

Note: This is the default value.

Soft DATA segment -1 (Unlimited)
Soft STACK size -1 (Unlimited)

To view the current value specified for these shell limits, and to change them:

  1. Enter the following command:

    # smit chuser
    
    
  2. In the User Name field, enter the user name of the Oracle software owner, for example oracle.

  3. Scroll down the list and verify that the value shown for the soft limits listed in the previous table is -1.

    If necessary, edit the existing value.

  4. When you have finished making changes, press F10 to exit.

4.3.2 Configure System Configuration Parameters

Verify that the maximum number of processes allowed per user is set to 2048 or higher. The procedure following the table describes how to verify and set the value.


Note:

For production systems, this value should be at least 128 plus the sum of the PROCESSES and PARALLEL_MAX_SERVERS initialization parameters for each database running on the system.

  1. Enter the following command:

    # smit chgsys
    
    
  2. Verify that the value shown for Maximum number of PROCESSES allowed per user is greater than or equal to 2048.

    If necessary, edit the existing value.

  3. When you have finished making changes, press F10 to exit.

Make sure that the ARG_MAX setting is set to the maximum value for AIX 5L:

  1. Check the ARG_MAX value setting:

    prompt> getconf ARG_MAX
    
    
  2. If the value is less than 524288, run the following command as the root user:

    # chdev -l sys0 -a ncargs=128
    
    

4.4 Ports Used by Oracle Content DB

Oracle Content DB and components of Oracle Application Server (such as Oracle HTTP Server, Oracle Application Server Web Cache, and Oracle Enterprise Manager 10g) use ports. Oracle Universal Installer assigns default port numbers or you can specify port numbers, including the port numbers under 1024.


See Also:

Appendix D, "Default Port Numbers for Oracle Content DB" for a complete list of default port numbers

This section includes the following topics:

Why the Default Port for Oracle HTTP Server Is Port 7777 and Not Port 80

By default, Oracle Universal Installer configures Oracle HTTP Server to use port 7777, not port 80. Port 7777 is the default port because on AIX, components that use port numbers lower than 1024 require additional steps to be done as the root user before the components can run. Because Oracle Universal Installer does not have root access, it must use a port greater than 1024.

If you want Oracle HTTP Server to use a different port, such as port 80, use the "static ports" feature, which enables you to specify port numbers for components. Although you can change the port number after installation, it is easier to set the port number during installation.

4.4.1 Checking If a Port Is in Use

To check if a port is being used, enter the netstat command to show the used port as follows:

$ netstat -an | grep port_number

Replace port_number with the port number you want to check.


Note:

You can also use the /usr/sbin/lsof -i :port_number command.

4.4.2 Using Default Port Numbers

To use the default port numbers for Oracle Application Server components, such as Oracle HTTP Server, Oracle Application Server Web Cache, and Oracle Enterprise Manager 10g, you do not have to do anything.


Notes:

  • Oracle Universal Installer assigns the default ports only if the ports are not in use by other applications. If a default port is in use, Oracle Universal Installer tries other ports in the port number range for the component. For example, the default, non-SSL port for Oracle HTTP Server is port 7777. If this port is in use by another application, Oracle Universal Installer assigns a port in the 7777 - 7877 range.

  • If you plan to install multiple instances of Oracle products on the same computer, only the first instance that you install on the computer will use the default ports. When you install additional instances, Oracle Universal Installer will detect that the default ports are already in use by the first instance, and it will assign other ports to the additional instances.



See Also:

you can also refer to the Oracle Application Server Installation Guide for more information about ports and port numbers.

4.5 Operating System Groups

Create operating system groups in the following situations:


See Also:

Your operating system documentation or contact your system administrator for more information about creating operating system groups..


See Also:

you can also refer to the Oracle Application Server Installation Guide for more information about creating operating system groups.

4.6 Operating System Users

Create an operating system user to install and upgrade Oracle products. This guide refers to this user as the oracle user. The oracle user running Oracle Universal Installer must have write permission for the following directories:

If the computer contains other Oracle products, you might already have a user for this purpose. Look in the /etc/oraInst.loc file. This file lists the location of the inventory directory and the group who owns it. If the file does not exist, the computer does not have any Oracle products installed.

If you do not already have a user for installing Oracle products, create a user with the properties listed in Table 4-2.

Table 4-2 Properties of the Operating System User Who Runs Oracle Universal Installer

Property Description

Login name

You can use any name for the user. This guide refers to the user as the oracle user.

Group identifier

The primary group of the oracle user must have write permission for the directory.

You can use any name for the group. This guide uses the name oinstall.

Home directory

The home directory for the oracle user can be consistent with the home directories of other users.

Login shell

The default login shell can be the C, Bourne, or Korn shell.



Note:

Use the oracle user only for installing and running Oracle products. Do not use root as the oracle user.


See Also:

Your operating system documentation or contact your system administrator for more information about creating operating system users.


See Also:

you can also refer to the Oracle Application Server Installation Guide for more information about creating operating system users.

4.7 Environment Variables

The operating system user who installs Oracle Content DB must set or unset certain environment variables.

When working with environment variables, here are some things to remember:

This section discusses the following environment variables and whether they must be set or unset:

4.7.1 ORA_NLS33, ORACLE_HOME, and ORACLE_SID

ORA_NLS33, ORACLE_HOME and ORACLE_SID environment variables must not be set.

4.7.2 PATH, CLASSPATH, and Shared Library Path Environment Variables

Edit your PATH, CLASSPATH, and shared library path environment variables so that they do not reference any Oracle home directories.

4.7.3 DISPLAY

Set the DISPLAY environment variable to point to the X server that will display Oracle Universal Installer. The format of the DISPLAY environment variable is:

host_name:display_number.screen_number

Example (C shell):

$ setenv DISPLAY test.domain.com:0.0

Example (Bourne or Korn shell):

$ DISPLAY=test.domain.com:0.0; export DISPLAY

You can test the display by running the xclock program. Make sure you have run the xhost + command first. Then, to test the display, run the xclock & command. For example:

$ /usr/X11R6/bin/xclock &


Note:

The location of the xclock and xhost commands may vary, depending on your operating system. Consult your operating system documentation for more information.

Oracle Content DB requires a running X server during installation, only. The frame buffer X server installed with your operating system requires that you remain logged in and have the frame buffer running during installation. If you do not want to do this, then you must use a virtual frame buffer, such as X Virtual Frame Buffer (XVFB) or Virtual Network Computing (VNC).


See Also:

Oracle Technology Network for more information about obtaining and installing XVFB or other virtual frame buffer solutions, at

http://www.oracle.com/technology/index.html


4.7.4 TNS_ADMIN

This section describes the following two requirements:

  • The TNS_ADMIN environment variable must not be set

  • The /etc and the /var/opt/oracle directories must not contain a tnsnames.ora file

These requirements are necessary to prevent conflicts between the Oracle Net Services configuration files for different Oracle products.

To set TNS_ADMIN or if you have the tnsnames.ora file in /etc or /var/opt/oracle, perform the following steps before installing Oracle Content DB.

  1. If the tnsnames.ora file is in the /etc or /var/opt/oracle directory, move the file to a different directory or you can rename the file.

  2. Ensure the TNS_ADMIN environment variable is not set.

    Example (C shell):

    prompt> unsetenv TNS_ADMIN
    
    

    Example (Bourne or Korn shell):

    prompt> unset TNS_ADMIN
    
    

After installation, you can merge the contents of the newly created tnsnames.ora file with your existing tnsnames.ora file.

4.7.5 TMP and TMPDIR

The installer uses a temporary directory for swap space. The installer checks for the TMP and TMPDIR environment variables to locate the temporary directory. If this environment variable does not exist, the installer uses the /tmp directory.

If you want the installer to use a temporary directory other than /tmp, set the TMP and TMPDIR environment variables to the full path of an alternate directory. The oracle user must have right permission for this directory and the directory must meet the requirements listed in Table 4-1.

Example (C shell):

% setenv TMP /tmp2
% setenv TMPDIR /tmp2

Example (Bourne or Korn shell):

$ TMP=/tmp2; export TMP
$ TMPDIR=/tmp2; export TMPDIR

If you do not set this environment variable, and the default directory does not have enough space, then the installer displays an error message that says the environment variable is not set. You can either set the environment variable to point to a different directory or free up enough space in the default directory. In either case, you have to restart the installation.

4.7.6 The /etc/hosts File

The contents of the /etc/hosts file affect both the location of the default identity management realm and the host name for Oracle Application Server Single Sign-On.

Oracle Universal Installer provides alternative methods for you to enter the values that you want without editing the hosts file, as explained in the following sections:

4.7.6.1 Location of the Default Identity Management Realm

Oracle Universal Installer reads the hosts file to construct the location of the default identity management realm. It displays this location in the Specify Namespace in Internet Directory screen.

The hosts file uses the following format:

ip_address   fully_qualified_host_name   short_host_name

For example:

123.45.67.89   primaryHost.domain.com   primaryHost

In the preceding example, the location of the default identity management realm would display as "dc=domain,dc=com".

If the file uses a different format, Oracle Universal Installer displays an incorrect value in the screen.

123.45.67.89   primaryHost   primaryHost.domain.com  <--- incorrect format

In this case, Oracle Universal Installer displays "dc=primaryHost,dc=com" as the default identity management realm. Most likely, this is not the value that you want for the default identity management realm.


Note:

If you require that the hosts file use a different format, you can edit the file to use the required format, perform the installation, then revert the file back to its original format after installation.

If you are unable, or unwilling, to edit the hosts file, you can enter the desired value for the default identity management realm in the Custom Namespace field on the Specify Namespace in Internet Directory screen.


4.7.6.2 Host Name for Oracle Application Server Single Sign-On

If you are installing Oracle Application Server Single Sign-On (OracleAS Single Sign-On) and your hosts file contains only the host name of your computer (without the domain name), you will only be able to sign on to the OracleAS Single Sign-On server using the host name by itself (without the domain name).

To require a domain name when connecting to the OracleAS Single Sign-On server, you can edit the hosts file to include the domain name. If you do not want to edit the file, you can use the OUI_HOSTNAME command-line parameter to Oracle Universal Installer to override the value in the hosts file, as in the following example:

prompt> mount_point/runInstaller OUI_HOSTNAME=myserver.domain.com

4.8 Network Topics

Typically, the computer on which you want to install Oracle Content DB is connected to a network, has local storage to contain the Oracle Content DB installation, has a display monitor, and has an appropriate disk drive.

This section describes how to install Oracle Content DB on computers that do not meet the typical requirements and includes the following topics:

4.8.1 Installing Oracle Content DB on Computers with Multiple Network Cards

If you are installing Oracle Content DB on a computer with multiple network cards, Oracle Universal Installer uses the first names in the /etc/hosts file to determine the host name to use for IP address lookup.

If this is not the name you want to use, you can:

  • Start up Oracle Universal Installer with the OUI_HOSTNAME parameter, if you do not want to edit the /etc/hosts file. Specify the host name that you want to use in this parameter, as in the following example:

    $ mount_point/runInstaller OUI_HOSTNAME=myserver.domain.com
    

4.8.2 Copying the DVD to a Hard Drive and Installing from the Hard Drive

Instead of installing from the Oracle Content DB DVD, you can copy the contents of the DVD to a hard drive and install the product from there. This provides for an easier solution if you plan to install many instances of Oracle Content DB on your network, or if the computers where you want to install Oracle Content DB do not have DVD-ROM drives.

You can also install Oracle Content DB from remote DVD-ROM drives.

Checking the Space Requirement

Ensure that the hard drive contains enough space to hold the contents of the Oracle Content DB DVD.

4.8.3 Installing Oracle Content DB from a Remote DVD-ROM Drive

If the computer where you want to install Oracle Content DB does not have a DVD-ROM drive, you can perform the installation from a remote drive. You can run the installer on a remote computer (remote_computer), but have the installer screens display on your local computer (local_computer). The installer will install Oracle Content DB on the remote computer.

  1. Allow remote_computer to display on local_computer. You need to run this command on the local computer's console.

    local_computer> xhost +remote_computer
    
    

    If you do not run xhost, you might get an Xlib error similar to "Failed to connect to server", "Connection refused by server," or "Can't open display" when starting the installer.

  2. On local_computer, perform a remote login (using telnet or rlogin) to remote_computer. Log in as the oracle user. Ensure that the user has set the environment variables correctly.

    local_computer> rlogin -l oracle remote_computer.mydomain.com
    - OR -
    local_computer> telnet remote_computer.mydomain.com
    
    
  3. Set the DISPLAY environment variable on remote_computer to point to local_computer.

    Example (C shell):

    remote_computer> setenv DISPLAY local_computer.mydomain.com:0.0
    
    

    Example (Bourne or Korn shell):

    remote_computer> DISPLAY=local_computer.mydomain.com:0.0; export DISPLAY
    
    
  4. Run the installer. Refer to Starting Oracle Universal Installer


Note:

You can use a PC X emulator to run the installer if it supports a PseudoColor color model or PseudoColor visual. Set the PC X emulator to use a PseudoColor visual, and then start the installer. Refer to the X emulator documentation for instructions on how to change the color model or visual settings.

4.8.4 Installing Oracle Content DB on a Remote Computer

You can run Oracle Universal Installer on a remote computer (remote_computer), but display the Oracle Universal Installer screens on your local computer (local_computer). Oracle Universal Installer will install Oracle Content DB on the remote computer.

  1. Allow remote_computer to appear on local_computer. Use the following command on the console of the local computer:

    local_computer> xhost +remote_computer
    
    

    If you do not run xhost, you might get an Xlib error similar to "Failed to connect to server", "Connection refused by server," or "Can't open display" when starting Oracle Universal Installer.

  2. On local_computer, perform a remote login as the oracle user (using ssh, telnet, or rlogin) to remote_computer, as follows:


    See Also:


    local_computer> ssh -X -l oracle remote_computer.domain.com
    

    Note:

    Use of ssh is recommended over rlogin or telnet because it is more secure than either. However, if you do not have ssh available, use rlogin or telnet.

    The ssh server must be configured to allow forwarding X11 connections.


    Alternatively, use one of the following commands:

    local_computer> rlogin -l oracle remote_computer.domain.com
    local_computer> telnet remote_computer.domain.com
    
    
  3. This step is not required if you are using the ssh connection.

    Set the DISPLAY environment variable on remote_computer to point to local_computer.

    Example (C shell):

    remote_computer> setenv DISPLAY local_computer.domain.com:0.0
    
    

    Example (Bourne or Korn shell):

    remote_computer> DISPLAY=local_computer.domain.com:0.0; export DISPLAY
    
    
  4. Run Oracle Universal Installer, as described in Chapter 5, "Installing the Oracle Content DB Middle Tier".


    Note:

    You can use a PC X emulator to run Oracle Universal Installer if it supports a PseudoColor color model or PseudoColor visual. Set the PC X emulator to use a PseudoColor visual, and then start Oracle Universal Installer. Refer to the X emulator documentation for instructions on how to change the color model or visual settings.

4.8.5 Installing Oracle Content DB on NFS-Mounted Storage

Currently, Oracle Content DB is certified to run only on the Network Appliance filers Network File Storage (NFS)-mounted storage system.

The NFS-mounted system should be exported to at least the remote install user and remote root user. You can do this using exportfs command, as follows:

prompt> exportfs -i /vol/vol1

To check the latest certification list for any updates, visit Oracle Technology Network.

4.8.6 Support for NIS and NIS+

You can install and run Oracle Content DB in Network Information System (NIS) and NIS+ environments.

4.9 Prerequisite Checks Performed by Oracle Universal Installer

Table 4-3 lists prerequisite checks performed by Oracle Universal Installer.

Table 4-3 Prerequisite Checks Performed by Oracle Universal Installer

Item Description

Operating system version

See "Oracle Content DB Software Requirements" for supported versions

Operating system patches

Oracle Universal Installer checks that your computer includes any required operating system patches. If Oracle Universal Installer determines that some required patches are missing, it displays an error.

Operating system packages

See "Software Requirements" for additional information.

Shell limits and system configuration patameters

See Configuring Shell Limits and System Configuration Parameters for the requiredshell limits and system configuration parameters.

Monitor

See Oracle Content DB Hardware Requirements for monitor requirements

Display permission

Oracle Universal Installer checks that the user has permissions to display on the monitor specified by the DISPLAY environment variable.

Memory

See Oracle Content DB Hardware Requirements for memory requirements

Swap space

See Oracle Content DB Hardware Requirements for swap space requirements

TMP space

See Oracle Content DB Hardware Requirements for /tmp directory space requirements

Oracle home directory name

Oracle Universal Installer checks that the Oracle home directory name does not contain any spaces.

Path to the Oracle home directory

Oracle Universal Installer checks that the path to the Oracle home directory is not longer than 127 characters.

Oracle home directory contents

Oracle Universal Installer checks that the Oracle home directory does not contain any files that might interfere with the installation.

Oracle home directory

Always install Oracle Content DB in a new directory. Do not install Oracle Content DB in an existing Oracle home directory. For example, do not install Oracle Content DB into in an existing Oracle Application Server.

DISPLAY environment variable

The installer checks that the DISPLAY environment variable is set.

Cluster file system

Oracle Universal Installer checks that you are not installing Oracle Content DB in a cluster file system (CFS).

Application Server Control directories are writable

Oracle Universal Installer runs this check only if you are expanding Oracle Content DB or if you are reinstalling Oracle Content DB. Oracle Universal Installer checks that these directories are writable by the operating system user running the installer:

  • ORACLE_HOME/sysman/emd

  • ORACLE_HOME/sysman/config

  • ORACLE_HOME/sysman/webapps/emd/WEB-INF/config

Application Server Control files exist

Oracle Universal Installer runs this check only if you are expanding Oracle Content DB or if you are reinstalling Oracle Content DB. Oracle Universal Installer checks that these files exist:

  • ORACLE_HOME/sysman/config/iasadmin.properties

  • ORACLE_HOME/sysman/webapps/emd/WEB-INF/config/consoleConfig.xml

Database initialization parameters

Oracle Universal Installer checks to make sure that the database you want to use with Oracle Content DB has the required minimum values. See "Setting Required Database Initialization Parameters" for additional information.

Database character set

Oracle Universal Installer checks to make sure that the database character set is AL32UTF8.


4.10 Running Prerequisite Checks from the Command Line

You can run the prerequisite checks without having to install Oracle Content DB by using the following single command:

./runInstaller -prereqChecker PREREQ_CONFIG_LOCATION=DVD_MountPoint/stage/prereq -entryPoint oracle.contentdb.top_Core