Oracle AI Database can be configured in two basic ways: as a single instance (SI) non-clustered database and an Oracle Real Application Clusters (Oracle RAC) database.

A single instance database has the Oracle software, database files, and processes all on one server. It has a one-to-one relationship between the instance and the database files. It is the most basic deployment option of the Oracle AI Database.

Oracle RAC environments, however, have a one-to-many relationship between the database and instances. An Oracle RAC database can have up to 100 instances running on different servers, all of which access one database concurrently. Oracle RAC instances share access to datafiles and control files on a shared storage. Oracle RAC provides unmatched high availability, scalability, and load balancing. This deployment provides advanced clustering capabilities, enabling multiple database instances to work together seamlessly for improved performance and fault tolerance. Oracle RAC cluster is a combination of Oracle Grid Infrastructure (Oracle Clusterware + Oracle ASM) and Oracle Real Application Clusters database.

 

• Design and Deployment Techniques
• Technical Brief: Oracle Real Application Clusters (PDF)
• Characteristics of a Single Instance Database Deployment
• Characteristics of a Database Clustering with Oracle RAC Database Deployment