Oracle8i Migration
Release 3 (8.1.7)

Part Number A86632-01

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2
Overview of Migration

This chapter includes an overview of the major steps required to migrate a version 7 or version 6 database to Oracle8i. These migration procedures transform an existing version 7 or version 6 database system (including associated applications) into an Oracle8i database system. Oracle8i is compatible with all earlier Oracle versions and releases. Therefore, databases transformed using the migration procedures described in this book can work in the same manner as in earlier versions and, optionally, can leverage new Oracle8i functionality.

Several preparatory steps are required before you migrate the current production database. After migrating the database, you should perform several additional test steps to test the migration. Other procedures enable you to add new Oracle8i functionality to existing applications.

This chapter covers the following topics:

Overview of Migration Steps

Before you perform a database migration, you should understand the major steps in the migration process. These major steps apply to all operating systems, with the possible exception of a few operating system-specific details identified in your operating system-specific Oracle documentation.


Note:

The rest of this chapter describes migration. If you plan to perform an operation other than migration, such as upgrading or downgrading, then you can proceed to the appropriate chapter for the operation. 


Figure 2-1 Major Migration Steps


Careful planning and use of Oracle8i tools can ease the process of migrating a database to Oracle8i. You can use one of the following migration methods to migrate your database:

The following sections contain a brief outline of the major steps shown in Figure 2-1. The purpose of these descriptions is to familiarize you with the major steps in the migration process. For detailed instructions, refer to the appropriate chapters and sections later in this book.

Step 1: Prepare to Migrate

Step 2: Test the Migration Process

Step 3: Test the Migrated Test Database

Chapter 3, "Preparing to Migrate", provides detailed information about Steps 1 through 3.

Step 4: Prepare and Preserve the Source Database

Step 5: Migrate the Production Database

Chapter 4 describes Steps 4 and 5 using the Migration utility; Chapter 5 describes Steps 4 and 5 using the Oracle Data Migration Assistant; and Chapter 6 describes Steps 4 and 5 using the Export/Import utilities. Chapter 8 describes the backup procedure after the migration and other post-migration tasks.

See Also:

Appendix G, "Migration and Compatibility for Replication Environments" if you are migrating a database system that has Oracle replication installed. 

Step 6: Tune and Adjust the New Production Database

During migration, multi-versioning can be a useful feature because you can keep multiple copies of the same database on one computer system. You can use the existing version as your production environment while you test the new version.

Role of the Database Administrator During Migration

Typically, the database administrator (DBA) is responsible for ensuring the success of the migration process. The DBA is usually involved in each step of the process, except for steps that involve testing applications on the migrated database.

The specific DBA duties typically include the following:

Role of the Application Developer During Migration

The application developer is responsible for ensuring that applications designed for the version 7 or version 6 database work correctly with the migrated Oracle8i database. Application developers often test applications against the migrated Oracle8i database and decide which new features of Oracle8i should be used.

Before migrating the Oracle7 production database, the DBA or application developer should install an Oracle8i test database. Then, the application developer can test and modify the applications, if necessary, until they work with their original (or enhanced Oracle8i) functionality.

The following references provide information about identifying differences in the migrated Oracle8i database that could affect particular applications. Application developers can use these differences to guide modifications to existing applications.

Oracle8i includes features that aid in upgrading existing applications to Oracle8i, for example:


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