How to verify a raw partition contains Oracle data

[Geofrey Rainey]

Hi,

You can't see what's on a raw partition using standard file-system tools
such as "ls", because by definition a raw partition is "not cooked", ie
There is no file-system.

The command "raw -qa" will only see raw partitions that have been mapped
To a raw device file in /dev/raw/, so that won't work either,
furthermore
The "raw" command only lists the raw devices, it doesn't see any data
that
Might be on those devices.

Certainly the command "fdisk -l" will print out any partitions that the 
System can see on any attached bus, if you don't see them then firstly
I would try executing the "partprobe" command (which reloads the
partition
Table), then try "fdisk -l",  or reboot the box then try "fdisk -l". If
you
Still don't see the SAN partitions, then there is something wrong with
either the HBA (ensure you've got the driver sorted out), or the SAN
config.

I don't think one can easily see the data on a raw partition like one
can
On a file-system.

I don't quite understand what you mean when you say "/dev/sdv ... fdisk
-l will not show them properly ...", or "/dev/mpath ...", presumably the
/dev/mpath/ directory is associated with the HBA driver and if so, you
might
Find the device node files within that directory refer to the partitions
on
The SAN. In my experience with HBAs, vendor documentation is critical
because their configuration can be quite arcane if it is all new to
someone.

Regards,
		
Geofrey Rainey
Systems Engineer
D. 64 9 916 7178
M. 64 21 563 106
geofrey.rainey at tvnz.co.nz




---------------------------

We have just presented quite a few SAN disk partitions to a couple of of
our Redhat servers.

However, since the SAN is a shared resource, we need a way to verify
that there's certainly no data in the raw SAN partitions, in particular
Oracle data/database.

"/usr/bin/raw -qa "  returns nothing.

Is there some sort of Oracle or tools that I can use?
As it's raw partition, "ls /partiton_name"  won't help

THanks
U


----------------------------



-----Original Message-----
From: redhat-list-bounces at redhat.com
[mailto:redhat-list-bounces at redhat.com] On Behalf Of sunhux G
Sent: Wednesday, 14 May 2008 7:59 p.m.
To: General Red Hat Linux discussion list
Subject: Re: How to verify a raw partition contains Oracle data

Just to add on a couple more questions :


The SAN partitions are "/dev/sdh, /dev/sdv ... " & "fdisk -l"
will not quite show them properly.

Two other side questions :
1) A colleague who has left told me to let the DBA (an outsourced
    vendor) to use /dev/mpath/mpath0   or  have I misquoted my
    colleague

2) Do I need to reboot the Linux servers before the raw partitions
    can be used?

Thanks
U


>
>
>
>
>
>
-- 
redhat-list mailing list
unsubscribe mailto:redhat-list-request at redhat.com?subject=unsubscribe
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/redhat-list
==========================================================
For more information on the Television New Zealand Group, visit us
online at tvnz.co.nz 
==========================================================
CAUTION:  This e-mail and any attachment(s) contain information that
is intended to be read only by the named recipient(s).  This information
is not to be used or stored by any other person and/or organisation.