3.1.5 Understanding and Managing Reports and Output

Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk generate a detailed HTML report with findings and recommendations.

3.1.5.1 Temporary Files and Directories

While running compliance checks, Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk create temporary directories and files for the purposes of data collection and assessment, and then delete them upon completion of compliance check runs.

By default, Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk create temporary files and directories in the /opt/oracle.SupportTools/exachk or /opt/oracle.SupportTools/orachk directories if they exist, or in the $HOME directory of the user who runs the tool.

Change this temporary working directory by setting the environment variable RAT_TMPDIR=tmp_directory before using the tools:
$ export RAT_TMPDIR=/tmp 
$ orachk
$ export RAT_TMPDIR=/tmp 
$ exachk

If you are using sudo access for root, and change the RAT_TMPDIR=tmp_directory, then you must also reflect this change in the /etc/sudoers file.

The /etc/sudoers file on each server must contain the entry for the root script in the new temporary directory location:
oracle ALL=(root) NOPASSWD:/tmp/root_orachk.sh
oracle ALL=(root) NOPASSWD:/tmp/root_exachk.sh
Alternatively, you can change the location of the directory used for creating the root script only by setting the environment variable.
export RAT_ROOT_SH_DIR=/mylocation 
Add an entry in the /etc/sudoers file as follows:
oracle ALL=(root) NOPASSWD:/mylocation/root_orachk.sh

Note:

Any directory specified in RAT_TMPDIR must exist on the hosts for all cluster nodes.

3.1.5.2 Output Files and Directories

Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk create an output directory that contains various files for you to examine.

The name format of the output directory is:
utility_name host_name database date time_stamp
where,
  • utility is either orachk or exachk
  • host_name is the host name of the node on which Oracle Orachk or Oracle Exachk was run
  • database is the name of the database or one of the databases against which compliance checks were performed, if applicable
  • date is the date the compliance check was run
  • timestamp is the time the compliance check was run
By default, Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk create output in the directory from where they are run. To change the location of the output directory, use the –output option as follows:
$ orachk –output output_dir
$ exachk –output output_dir
Alternatively, set the output directory using the RAT_OUTPUT environment variable as follows:
$ export RAT_OUTPUT=output_dir 
$ orachk
$ export RAT_OUTPUT=output_dir 
$ exachk 

The contents of this directory is available in a zip file with the same name.

After completing the compliance checks, Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk report the location of this zip file and the HTML report file.

...
Detailed report (html) - /orahome/oradb/orachk/orachk_myhost_rdb11204_041816_055429/orachk_myhost_rdb11204_041816_055429.html


UPLOAD(if required) - /orahome/oradb/orachk/orachk_myhost_rdb11204_041816_055429.zip


$ ls -la
total 61832
drwxr-xr-x  4 oradb oinstall     4096 Apr 18 05:55 .
drwx------ 34 oradb oinstall     4096 Apr 18 05:58 ..
drwxr--r--  3 oradb oinstall     4096 Mar 28 17:36 .cgrep
-rw-r--r--  1 oradb oinstall  4692868 Mar 28 17:35 CollectionManager_App.sql
-rw-r--r--  1 oradb oinstall 41498425 Apr 18 05:54 collections.dat
-rwxr-xr-x  1 oradb oinstall  2730651 Mar 28 17:35 orachk
drwxr-xr-x  7 oradb oinstall     4096 Apr 18 05:55 orachk_myhost_rdb11204_041816_055429
-rw-r--r--  1 oradb oinstall    36141 Apr 18 05:55 orachk_myhost_rdb11204_041816_055429.zip
-rw-r--r--  1 oradb oinstall  9380260 Mar 28 19:02 orachk.zip
-rw-r--r--  1 oradb oinstall     3869 Mar 28 17:36 readme.txt
-rw-r--r--  1 oradb oinstall  4877997 Apr 18 05:54 rules.dat
-rw-r--r--  1 oradb oinstall    40052 Mar 28 17:35 sample_user_defined_checks.xml
-rw-r--r--  1 oradb oinstall     2888 Mar 28 17:35 user_defined_checks.xsd
-rw-r--r--  1 oradb oinstall      425 Mar 28 17:36 UserGuide.txt

The output directory contains several other directories and the main HTML report file.

$ cd orachk_myhost_rdb11204_041816_055429
$ ls -la
total 60
drwxr-xr-x 7 oradb oinstall  4096 Apr 18 05:55 .
drwxr-xr-x 4 oradb oinstall  4096 Apr 18 05:55 ..
drwxr-xr-x 2 oradb oinstall  4096 Apr 18 05:55 log
-rw-r--r-- 1 oradb oinstall 30815 Apr 18 05:55 orachk_myhost_rdb11204_041816_055429.html
drwxr-xr-x 4 oradb oinstall  4096 Apr 18 05:55 outfiles
drwxr-xr-x 2 oradb oinstall  4096 Apr 18 05:55 reports
drwxr-xr-x 2 oradb oinstall  4096 Apr 18 05:55 scripts
drwxr-xr-x 2 oradb oinstall  4096 Apr 18 05:55 upload

Oracle Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk each creates an output directory containing the following information depending on which tool you use:

Table 3-4 Output Files and Directories

Output Description

log (directory)

Contains several log files recording details about the compliance check, including:

Oracle Orachk:

  • orachk.log: Main log for the compliance check.
  • orachk_error.log: std_error log for the compliance check.
  • orachk_debug_date_time.log: Debug output when run with –debug, which is useful for troubleshooting.

Oracle Exachk:

  • exachk.log: Main log for the compliance check.
  • exachk_error.log: std_error log for the compliance check.
  • exachk_debug_date_time.log: Debug output when run with –debug, which is useful for troubleshooting.

outfiles (directory)

Contains several the collection results.

reports (directory)

Contains subreports used to build the main report.

scripts (directory)

Contains scripts used during collection.

upload (directory)

Contains files to upload collection results to a database for the Oracle Health Check Collections Manager to consume, integrate the results into your own application, or integrate into other utilities.

orachk_*.html

Oracle Orachk:

Main HTML report output using the same name format as the output directory: orachk_host_name_database_date_timestamp.html.

exachk_*.html

Oracle Exachk:

Main HTML report output using the same name format as the output directory: exachk_host_name_database_date_timestamp.html.

3.1.5.3 HTML Report Output

The compliance check HTML report contains the following:

  • High level health score

  • Summary of the run

  • Table of contents that provides easy access to findings

  • Findings and recommendations to resolve the issues

3.1.5.3.1 System Health Score and Summary

Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk calculate a high-level System Health Score based on the number of passed or failed compliance checks.

A summary of the run shows, where and when it was run, which version was used, how long it took, which user it was run as, and so on.

Figure 3-3 System Health Score and Summary

Description of Figure 3-3 follows
Description of "Figure 3-3 System Health Score and Summary"

Click the detail link to expand the System Health Score section to view details of how this is calculated.

Figure 3-4 System Health Score Detail

Description of Figure 3-4 follows
Description of "Figure 3-4 System Health Score Detail"
To generate an HTML report without the System Health Score section, use the –noscore option:
$ orachk –noscore
$ exachk –noscore

3.1.5.3.2 HTML Report Table of Contents and Features

The Table of Contents provides links to each of the major sections within the HTML report.

The next section in the HTML report after the summary is the Table of Contents and Report Features:

  • The Table of Contents provides links to each of the major sections within the HTML report

    • What is shown in the Table of Contents will depend on the Oracle Stack components found during the compliance check run.

  • The Report Features allow you to:

    • Filter checks based on their statuses.

    • Select the regions.

    • Expand or collapse all checks.

    • View check IDs.

    • Remove findings from the report.

    • Get a printable view.

By default, passed checks are hidden. To view, select the Pass check box under Show Checks with the following status. To exclude passed checks from the HTML report, use the –nopass option:
$ orachk –nopass
$ exachk –nopass

Figure 3-5 Report Table of Contents and Features

Description of Figure 3-5 follows
Description of "Figure 3-5 Report Table of Contents and Features"

3.1.5.3.3 HTML Report Findings

Report findings are grouped by Oracle Stack component.

Findings include:

  • Status of check (FAIL, WARNING, INFO, or PASS)

  • Type of check

  • Check message

  • Location where the check was run

  • Link to expand details for further findings and recommendations

Click view details to view the findings and the recommendations.

  • Solution to solve the problem

  • Applicable recommendations

  • Where the problem does not apply

  • Links to relevant documentation or My Oracle Support notes

  • Example of data the recommendation is based on

Figure 3-7 View Report Findings

Description of Figure 3-7 follows
Description of "Figure 3-7 View Report Findings"

3.1.5.3.4 Maximum Availability Architecture (MAA) Scorecard

The Maximum Availability Architecture (MAA) Scorecard is displayed after the Findings group.

The MAA Scorecard provides a set of best practices for maximum availability architecture. It also shows results related to maximum availability, such as the installed software versions checked for noncurrent software, and use of incompatible features.

Figure 3-8 Maximum Availability Architecture (MAA) Scorecard

Description of Figure 3-8 follows
Description of "Figure 3-8 Maximum Availability Architecture (MAA) Scorecard"
To generate an HTML report without the MAA Scorecard section, use the -m option:
$ orachk –m
$ exachk –m

3.1.5.3.5 Findings Needing Further Review

Issues that compliance checks have only a partial view and need user reviews to determine if they are relevant are displayed in the Findings needing further review section.

Figure 3-9 Findings needing further review

Description of Figure 3-9 follows
Description of "Figure 3-9 Findings needing further review"

3.1.5.3.6 Platinum Certification

The Platinum Certification section shows a list of compliance status items for the Oracle Platinum service.

For the existing Platinum customers it is a review. For customers not yet participating in Oracle Platinum, it is an indication of readiness to participate in Oracle Platinum.

Figure 3-10 Platinum Certification

Description of Figure 3-10 follows
Description of "Figure 3-10 Platinum Certification"

Note:

This section is seen when compliance checks are run on Oracle Engineered Systems.

3.1.5.3.7 Viewing Clusterwide Linux Operating System Compliance Check (VMPScan)

On Linux systems, view a summary of the VMPScan report in the Clusterwide Linux Operating System Health check (VMPScan) section of the compliance check report.

The full VMPScan report is also available within the collection/reports and collection/outfiles/vmpscan directory.

Figure 3-11 Clusterwide Linux Operating System Health Check (VMPScan)

Description of Figure 3-11 follows
Description of "Figure 3-11 Clusterwide Linux Operating System Health Check (VMPScan)"

Note:

The VMPScan report is included only when Oracle Orachk is run on Linux systems.

3.1.5.3.8 "Systemwide Automatic Service Request (ASR) healthcheck" Section

asrexacheck is designed to check and test ASR configurations to ensure that communication to the ASR Manager is possible.

This is a non-invasive script that checks configurations only and does not write to any system or configuration files. The script checks for known configuration issues and any previous hardware faults that may not have been reported by ASR due to a misconfiguration on the BDA.

This section is included in the report only when the compliance checks are run on Oracle Engineered Systems.

The following is a sample of the Systemwide Automatic Service Request (ASR) healthcheck section truncated for brevity:

Figure 3-12 Systemwide Automatic Service Request (ASR) healthcheck

Description of Figure 3-12 follows
Description of "Figure 3-12 Systemwide Automatic Service Request (ASR) healthcheck"

3.1.5.3.9 File Attribute Changes

The File Attribute Changes section is shown in the report only when Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk is run with the –fileattr option.

Figure 3-13 File Attribute Changes

Description of Figure 3-13 follows
Description of "Figure 3-13 File Attribute Changes"

3.1.5.3.10 Skipped Checks

Any checks that were not able to be run and skipped for some reason are shown in the Skipped Checks section.

3.1.5.3.11 Component Elapsed Times

The Component Elapsed Times gives a breakdown of time required to check various components.

This can be useful when diagnosing performance problems.

Figure 3-15 Component Elapsed Times

Description of Figure 3-15 follows
Description of "Figure 3-15 Component Elapsed Times"

3.1.5.3.12 Top 10 Time Consuming Checks

The Top 10 Time Consuming Checks section shows the slowest 10 checks that were run.

This can be useful when diagnosing performance problems.

Figure 3-16 Top 10 Time Consuming Checks

Description of Figure 3-16 follows
Description of "Figure 3-16 Top 10 Time Consuming Checks"

3.1.5.3.13 How to Find a Check ID

Each compliance check has a unique 32 character ID.

You may want to find a check id while:

  • Communicating to Oracle or your own internal teams about a specific check

  • Excluding or only running one or more checks

To find a particular check id using a generated report, click the Show Check Ids link.

The findings will then display an extra column to the left with the Check Id.

Related Topics

3.1.5.3.14 How to Remove Checks from an Existing HTML Report

Hide individual findings from the report using Remove findings .

Click Remove finding from report.

Figure 3-19 Remove Findings from Report

Description of Figure 3-19 follows
Description of "Figure 3-19 Remove Findings from Report"

A button with an X appears next to each finding.

Click X to hide the finding. This does not remove the finding from the source of the HTML report it simply hides it. If the HTML report is reloaded the finding will appear again.

To permanently hide the finding use your browser’s Save Page option to save the report once the finding is hidden.

Figure 3-20 Remove Findings from Report

Description of Figure 3-20 follows
Description of "Figure 3-20 Remove Findings from Report"

If there are findings that you never want to see in the report, then they can be excluded altogether so the checks are never run in the first place.

Related Topics

3.1.5.4 Tagging Reports

The compliance check HTML report is typically named: orachk_hostname_database_date_timestamp.html or exachk_hostname_database_date_timestamp.html.

You can include other tags in the HTML report name to facilitate differentiation and identification.

Include a custom tag in the HTML report name as follows:

$ orachk –tag tag_name
$ exachk –tag tag_name
The resulting HTML report name is similar to the following:
orachk_host_name_database_date_timestamp_tag_name.html
exachk_host_name_database_date_timestamp_tag_name.html

3.1.5.5 Tracking File Attribute Changes and Comparing Snapshots

Use the Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk -fileattr option and command flags to record and track file attribute settings, and compare snapshots.

Changes to the attributes of files such as owner, group, or permissions can cause unexpected consequences. Proactively monitor and mitigate the issues before your business gets impacted.

3.1.5.5.1 Using the File Attribute Check With the Daemon

You must have Oracle Grid Infrastructure installed and running before you use -fileattr.

To use file attribute check with the daemon:

  1. Start the daemon.
    orachk -d start
  2. Start the client run with the -fileattr options.
    orachk -fileattr start -includedir "/root/myapp,/etc/oratab" -excludediscovery
    orachk -fileattr check -includedir "/root/myapp,/etc/oratab" -excludediscovery
  3. Specify the output directory to store snapshots with the –output option.
    orachk -fileattr start -output "/tmp/mysnapshots"
  4. Specify a descriptive name for the snapshot with the –tag option to identify your snapshots.
    For example:
    orachk -fileattr start -tag "BeforeXYZChange"
      Generated snapshot directory-
      orachk_myserver65_20160329_052056_ BeforeXYZChange

3.1.5.5.2 Taking File Attribute Snapshots

By default, Oracle Grid Infrastructure homes and all the installed Oracle Database homes are included in the snapshots.

To take file attribute snapshots:

To start the first snapshot, run the –fileattr start command.
orachk –fileattr start
exachk –fileattr start

Example 3-4 orachk -fileattr start

orachk -fileattr start
CRS stack is running and CRS_HOME is not set. Do you want to set CRS_HOME to /u01/app/11.2.0.4/grid?[y/n][y]
Checking ssh user equivalency settings on all nodes in cluster
Node mysrv22 is configured for ssh user equivalency for oradb user
Node mysrv23 is configured for ssh user equivalency for oradb user

List of directories(recursive) for checking file attributes:
/u01/app/oradb/product/11.2.0/dbhome_11202
/u01/app/oradb/product/11.2.0/dbhome_11203
/u01/app/oradb/product/11.2.0/dbhome_11204
orachk has taken snapshot of file attributes for above directories at: /orahome/oradb/orachk/orachk_mysrv21_20160504_041214

3.1.5.5.3 Including Directories to Check

Include directories in the file attribute changes check.

To include directories to check:

Run the file attribute changes check command with the –includedir directories option.

Where, directories is a comma-delimited list of directories to include in the check.

For example:
orachk -fileattr start -includedir "/home/oradb,/etc/oratab"
exachk -fileattr start -includedir "/home/oradb,/etc/oratab"

Example 3-5 orachk -fileattr start -includedir

orachk -fileattr start -includedir "/root/myapp/config/"
CRS stack is running and CRS_HOME is not set. Do you want to set CRS_HOME to /u01/app/12.2.0/grid?[y/n][y]
Checking for prompts on myserver18 for oragrid user...
Checking ssh user equivalency settings on all nodes in cluster
Node myserver17 is configured for ssh user equivalency for root user
List of directories(recursive) for checking file attributes:
/u01/app/12.2.0/grid
/u01/app/oradb/product/12.2.0/dbhome_1
/u01/app/oradb2/product/12.2.0/dbhome_1
/root/myapp/config/
orachk has taken snapshot of file attributes for above directories at: /root/orachk/orachk_ myserver18_20160511_032034

3.1.5.5.4 Excluding Directories from Checks

Exclude directories from file attribute changes checks.

To exclude directories from checks:

Run the file attribute changes check command to exclude directories that you do not list in the -includedir discover list by using the -excludediscovery option.

Example 3-6 orachk -fileattr start -includedir -excludediscovery

orachk -fileattr start -includedir "/root/myapp/config/" -excludediscovery
CRS stack is running and CRS_HOME is not set. Do you want to set CRS_HOME to /u01/app/12.2.0/grid?[y/n][y]
Checking for prompts on myserver18 for oragrid user...
Checking ssh user equivalency settings on all nodes in cluster
Node myserver17 is configured for ssh user equivalency for root user
List of directories(recursive) for checking file attributes:
/root/myapp/config/ 
orachk has taken snapshot of file attributes for above directories at: /root/orachk/orachk_myserver18_20160511_032209

3.1.5.5.5 Rechecking Changes

Compare the new snapshot with the previous one to track changes.

To recheck changes:

Run the file attribute changes check command with the check option to take a new snapshot, and run a normal health check collection.

The –fileattr check command compares the new snapshot with the previous snapshot.

For example:
orachk –fileattr check
exachk –fileattr check

Note:

To obtain an accurate comparison between the snapshots, you must use –fileattr check with the same options that you used with the previous snapshot collection that you obtained with –fileattr start.

For example, if you obtained your first snapshot by using the options -includedir "/somedir" –excludediscovery when you ran –fileattr start, then you must include the same options with –fileattr check to obtain an accurate comparison.

Example 3-7 orachk -fileattr check -includedir -excludediscovery

orachk -fileattr check -includedir "/root/myapp/config" -excludediscovery
CRS stack is running and CRS_HOME is not set. Do you want to set CRS_HOME to /u01/app/12.2.0/grid?[y/n][y]
Checking for prompts on myserver18 for oragrid user...
Checking ssh user equivalency settings on all nodes in cluster
Node myserver17 is configured for ssh user equivalency for root user
 List of directories(recursive) for checking file attributes:
/root/myapp/config
Checking file attribute changes...
. 
"/root/myapp/config/myappconfig.xml" is different:
Baseline :       0644     oracle       root /root/myapp/config/myappconfig.xml
Current  :       0644       root       root /root/myapp/config/myappconfig.xml
...

Results of the file attribute changes are reflected in the File Attribute Changes section of the HTML output report.

3.1.5.5.6 Designating a Snapshot As a Baseline

Designate a snapshot as a baseline to compare with other snapshots.

To designate a snapshot as a baseline:

Run the file attribute changes check command with the –baseline path_to_snapshot option.

The –baseline path_to_snapshot command compares a specific baseline snapshot with other snapshots, if you have multiple different baselines to check.

orachk -fileattr check -baseline path_to_snapshot
exachk –fileattr check –baseline path_to_snapshot

Example 3-8 orachk -fileattr check

orachk -fileattr check -baseline "/tmp/Snapshot"

3.1.5.5.7 Restricting System Checks

Restrict Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk to perform only file attribute changes checks.

By default, –fileattr check also performs a full health check run.

To restrict system checks:

Run the file attribute changes check command with the –fileattronly option.

orachk -fileattr check –fileattronly
exachk -fileattr check –fileattronly

3.1.5.5.8 Removing Snapshots

Remove the snapshots diligently.

To remove snapshots:

Run the file attribute changes check command with the remove option:
orachk –fileattr remove
exachk –fileattr remove

Example 3-9 orachk -fileattr remove

orachk -fileattr remove
CRS stack is running and CRS_HOME is not set. Do you want to set CRS_HOME to /u01/app/12.2.0/grid?[y/n][y]y
Checking for prompts on myserver18 for oragrid user...
Checking ssh user equivalency settings on all nodes in cluster
Node myserver17 is configured for ssh user equivalency for root user

List of directories(recursive) for checking file attributes:
/u01/app/12.2.0/grid
/u01/app/oradb/product/12.2.0/dbhome_1
/u01/app/oradb2/product/12.2.0/dbhome_1
Removing file attribute related files...
...

3.1.5.6 Comparing Two Reports

Oracle Autonomous Health Framework automatically compare the two most recent HTML reports and generate a third diff report, when run in automated daemon mode.

To generate a diff HTML report, use the –diff option:
$ orachk –diff report_1 report_2
$ exachk –diff report_1 report_2

where, report_1 and report_2 are the path and name of any of the following:

  • HTML reports
  • Output directories
  • Output zip files

The diff output lists a summary of changes found and the location of the new diff HTML report.

$exachk -diff exachk_myhost07_scao1007_040716_090013.zip exachk_myhost07_scao1007_040716_100019.zip
Summary 
Total   : 278
Missing : 0
New     : 0
Changed : 3
Same    : 275
Check comparison is complete. The comparison report can be viewed in: /opt/oracle.SupportTools/exachk/exachk_040716090013_040716100019_diff.html

The diff HTML report shows a summary of both compared reports.

Figure 3-21 Health Check Baseline Comparison Report

Description of Figure 3-21 follows
Description of "Figure 3-21 Health Check Baseline Comparison Report"

The Table of Contents provides quick access to the major sections in the report. You can also access various check Ids listed in the Show Check Ids section.

The Differences between Report 1 and Report 2 section shows what checks have different results.

Figure 3-23 Difference Between Reports

Description of Figure 3-23 follows
Description of "Figure 3-23 Difference Between Reports"

The Unique findings section shows any check findings that were unique to either of the reports

The Common Findings in Both Reports section shows all the check results that had the same results in both the reports.

Figure 3-25 Common Findings in Both Reports

Description of Figure 3-25 follows
Description of "Figure 3-25 Common Findings in Both Reports"
The Configurations Comparison section contains comparison for various system configurations. Each sub-section under Configurations Comparison contains the differences, common configs and unique configs from each collection.

This image illustrates Configurations Comparison Summary


This image illustrates Common Configs table.

3.1.5.7 Merging Reports

Merging reports is useful in role-separated environments where different users are run different subsets of checks and then you want to view everything as a whole.

To merge reports use the –merge option, followed by a comma-delimited list of directories or zip files:
orachk -merge orachk_myhost_mydb_041916_033322_dba,orachk_myhost_mydb_041916_035448_sysadmin
exachk -merge exachk_myhost_mydb_041916_033322_dba,exachk_myhost_mydb_041916_035448_sysadmin

The resulting merged HTML report summary will show the collections it was merged from.

Figure 3-26 Merged Report Summary

Description of Figure 3-26 follows
Description of "Figure 3-26 Merged Report Summary"

The merged findings appear together.

Figure 3-27 Merged Report Findings

Description of Figure 3-27 follows
Description of "Figure 3-27 Merged Report Findings"

Note:

For Oracle Exachk, use the –force option to force merge collections from dom0 and domu, or global and local zones.

3.1.5.8 Maintaining Temporary Files and Directories

Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk create a number of temporary files and directories while running compliance checks.

Oracle Orachk and Oracle Exachk create an output directory that contains various files for you to examine. The total size of the output directory and .zip file is under 5 MB. However, the size depends on the number of Oracle stack components evaluated.

If you are running compliance checks in automated daemon mode, then set the collection_retention  duration to purge old collections.

If you are running compliance checks on-demand or in silent mode, then it is your responsibility to implement processes and procedures to purge result output.

3.1.5.8.1 Reducing the Accumulated Data Files

Use the Oracle ORAchk and Oracle EXAchk options discussed in this section to reduce accumulated data files.

There are three options available:

  • Using the RAT_PURGE_SIZE environment variable without the daemon
  • Using the daemon option COLLECTION_RETENTION
  • Manual reduction

Note:

Uploading to an Oracle Health Check Collections Manager repository or the tfa_web does not perform any accumulated data file reduction.
3.1.5.8.1.1 Using the RAT_PURGE_SIZE Environment Variable Without the Daemon

Syntax

export RAT_PURGE_SIZE=size_in_MB

For example:

export RAT_PURGE_SIZE=2048

When this environment variable is set, the files in the working directory from which Oracle ORAchk or Oracle EXAchk was launched are reduced after the current Oracle ORAchk or Oracle EXAchk run completes based on two conditions:

  • The total size of the working directory from which Oracle ORAchk or Oracle EXAchk run was launched exceeds the configured threshhold.
  • There are files in the working directory that are more than 24 hours old from the time of the current Oracle ORAchk or Oracle EXAchk run.

Oracle ORAchk or Oracle EXAchk removes the date-and-timestamp subdirectories and the corresponding *.zip files that meet the above conditions.

For example without the *.zip files for brevity:

du -hs .
1.6G    .
[root@randomclient02 autopurge]# ls -l | egrep ^d | egrep exachk_
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   282624 Mar 26 09:46 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032619_090342
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   278528 Mar 26 10:33 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032619_095101
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   270336 Mar 26 11:16 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032619_103421
.
.
.
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   282624 Mar 26 15:03 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032619_141952
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   294912 Mar 26 15:48 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032619_150534
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   286720 Mar 27 08:00 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032719_071614
export RAT_PURGE_SIZE=1024
exachk

After the run completes:

[root@randomclient02 autopurge]# du -hs .
1.5G    .
[root@randomclient02 autopurge]# ls -l | egrep ^d | egrep exachk_
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   270336 Mar 26 11:16 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032619_103421
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   290816 Mar 26 11:59 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032619_111713
.
.
.
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   294912 Mar 26 15:48 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032619_150534
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   286720 Mar 27 08:00 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032719_071614
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   282624 Mar 27 10:36 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032719_094859

Two runs were purged, but the size did not reduce to 1 GB:

drwxr-x--- 9 root root   282624 Mar 26 09:46 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032619_090342
drwxr-x--- 9 root root   278528 Mar 26 10:33 exachk_randomclient02_PDB1_032619_095101

Note:

The reduction process did not reduce the total directory size to 1 GB in this example because there were not enough files in the working directory that were at least 24 hours earlier than the current Oracle ORAchk or Oracle EXAchk execution. If there are enough earlier files available, then the reduction comes close to the target size, depending upon the exact file sizes of the file set eligible for reduction.

3.1.5.8.1.2 Using the Daemon Option COLLECTION_RETENTION

This daemon option operates only upon the dates of the files eligible for reduction. Once set, any files older then the chosen target date are removed at the end of Oracle ORAchk or Oracle EXAchk run by the daemon.

Note:

Specify the COLLECTION_RETENTION in days.

For example, set the daemon to run the -profile switch every hour, retain files for 1 day.

exachk -id fname -set "AUTORUN_SCHEDULE=* * * *;\
NOTIFICATION_EMAIL=fname.lname@somewhere.com;\
COLLECTION_RETENTION=1;\
AUTORUN_FLAGS=-profile switch"
exachk -id fname -get all

------------------------------------------------------------
ID: exachk.testuser
------------------------------------------------------------
AUTORUN_FLAGS  =  -profile switch 
NOTIFICATION_EMAIL  =  fname.lname@somewhere.com
COLLECTION_RETENTION  =  1
AUTORUN_SCHEDULE  =  * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------

After letting the daemon run for more than a day, it can be seen the fileset has stabilized around one day's worth of hourly runs.

[root@randomclient02 retention]# ls -ltr | egrep ^d | egrep exachk_
drwxr-x--- 8 root root     20480 Mar 27 15:03 exachk_randomclient02_032719_150039
.
.
.
drwxr-x--- 8 root root     20480 Mar 28 04:03 exachk_randomclient02_032819_040026
drwxr-x--- 8 root root     20480 Mar 28 15:03 exachk_randomclient02_032819_150022
drwxr-x--- 8 root root     20480 Mar 28 16:03 exachk_randomclient02_032819_160022

Note:

The actual file reduction varies a bit depending upon the exact timestamps of the file set eligible for reduction and the timestamp of the current Oracle ORAchk or Oracle EXAchk run that is being executed by the daemon.

3.1.5.8.1.3 Manually Reducing the Accumulated Data Files

Run the following steps independently of any Oracle ORAchk or Orace EXAchk execution.
  1. Remove the orginal exachk.zip file after it has been unzipped, about 250 MB.
  2. Remove any debug logs that may exist after they have been uploaded to an SR or a Bug.
    -bash-4.1# du -hc *debug*
    18M     exachk_debug_120418_195653.log
    19M     exachk_debug_120418_201543.log
    24M     exachk_debug_120418_202357.log
    24M     exachk_debug_120418_205003.log
    22M     exachk_debug_120418_211816.log
    105M    total
  3. Remove the date timestamp directories and zip file pairs generated by Oracle EXAchk runs after they have served their usefulness.

    For example:

    drwxr-x---  9 root root 4.0K Dec  4 20:39 exachk_randomadm01_120418_202357
    -r--r-----  1 root root 7.0M Dec  4 20:39 exachk_randomadm01_120418_202357.zip
    drwxr-x---  9 root root 4.0K Dec  4 20:04 exachk_randomclient01_120418_195653
    -r--r-----  1 root root 6.4M Dec  4 20:04 exachk_randomclient01_120418_195653.zip
    drwxr-x---  9 root root 4.0K Dec  4 20:23 exachk_randomclient01_120418_201543
    -r--r-----  1 root root 6.4M Dec  4 20:23 exachk_randomclient01_120418_201543.zip
    drwxr-x---  8 root root 4.0K Nov 29 20:29 exachk_randomclient01_PDB1_112918_202702
    -r--r-----  1 root root  47K Nov 29 20:28 exachk_randomclient01_PDB1_112918_202702.zip
    drwxr-x---  9 root root 4.0K Dec  4 22:48 exachk_randomclient01_sing11g_120418_224719
    -r--r-----  1 root root 113K Dec  4 22:48 exachk_randomclient01_sing11g_120418_224719.zip
  4. Remove any *_error.log after it has been uploaded to an SR or a bug.
    -rw-r--r--  1 root root 4.4K Nov 27 22:51 exachk112718_223504_error.log
  5. if you have manually created backups, then remove the backups when they have served their purpose.

    For example:

    /opt/oracle.SupportTools/exachk/back_up_exachk_111618_184655/build

3.1.5.9 Consuming Multiple Results in Other Tools

Optionally integrate compliance check results into various other tools.

For more information, see Integrating Compliance Check Results with Other Tools.