17 Using DBFS

The DBFS File System implementation includes creating and accessing the file system and managing it.

• Installing DBFS
  DBFS is a part of the Oracle Database installation.
• Creating a DBFS File System
  You can create a partitioned or non-partitioned DBFS File system.
• Accessing DBFS File System
  This section describes the various interfaces through which you can access the DBFS File System.
• Maintaining DBFS
  DBFS administration includes tools that perform diagnostics, manage failover, perform backup, and so on.
• Shrinking and Reorganizing DBFS Filesystems
  DBFS uses Online File system Reorganization to shrink itself, enabling the release of allocated space back to the containing tablespace.
• Dropping a File System
  You can drop a file system by running DBFS_DROP_FILESYSTEM.SQL.

17.1 Dropping a File System

You can drop a file system by running DBFS_DROP_FILESYSTEM.SQL.

Caution:

When you drop a file system, it deletes all the files and associated metadata. You won't be able to access the files.

1. Log in to the database instance:

   $ sqlplus dbfs_user/@db_server
   

2. Enter the following command:

   @$ORACLE_HOME/rdbms/admin/dbfs_drop_filesystem.sql file_system_name
   

When you drop a file system, it deletes all the files and associated metadata. You won't be able to access the files. If you want to access the file system after dropping a DBFS, you can restore the file system from a database backup or file system backup.

Depending on the backup policy in your organization, you may have a database backup or file system backup. To restore from a database backup, you'll have to restore the entire database and then use the restored file system. To restore the file system from a file system backup, create a new DBFS and restore the file system from the file system backup.