How to Enable Archive Log Mode and Change Archive Log Destination in Oracle 19c

Introduction

Archive logging is a critical feature in Oracle databases that enables database recovery and online backups. When the database runs in ARCHIVELOG mode, Oracle archives redo log files before they are overwritten. These archived logs can later be used for point-in-time recovery and disaster recovery.

In this article, we will walk through:

• Checking the current archive log status

• Enabling ARCHIVELOG mode

• Configuring the Fast Recovery Area (FRA)

• Changing the archive log destination

• Verifying archive log generation

This guide applies to Oracle 19c running on Linux.

Step 1: Check the Current Archive Log Location and Archive Log Status

First, connect to the database and verify the current archive log destination.

Explanation

• Database log mode: No Archive Mode – The database is not archiving redo logs.

• Automatic archival: Disabled – Archive log generation is turned off.

• Archive destination: Default location where archive logs will be stored once archiving is enabled.

• Log sequence numbers: Show the redo log sequence currently in use.

Since the database is in NOARCHIVELOG mode, you cannot perform point-in-time recovery or hot backups.

Step 2: Steps to Enable ARCHIVELOG Mode

Shutdown the Database

Start Database in Mount Mode

Enable ARCHIVELOG Mode

Open the Database

Step 3: Verify Archive Log Mode

Step 4: Configure Fast Recovery Area (FRA)

The Fast Recovery Area (FRA) is a central location where Oracle stores:

• Archive logs

• Flashback logs

• Backup files

• Control file backups

Check the FRA parameters.

Set FRA Size

Step 5: Set Archive Log Destination

Step 6: Confirm Archive Destination

Step 7: Generate Archive Logs

Caution: Your use of any information or materials on this Blog is entirely at your own risk. It is provided for educational purposes only.

Oracle Database Security Assessment Tool (DBSAT) Version: 4.2.0.0.0

What is Oracle Database Security Assessment?

Oracle Database Security Assessment is the process of reviewing database configurations, user privileges, and security settings to detect vulnerabilities and ensure that security policies are properly implemented.

The goal is to identify risks such as:

Weak password policies

Excessive user privileges

Unpatched vulnerabilities

Lack of auditing and monitoring

Misconfigured database parameters

By performing regular security assessments, organizations can strengthen their database security posture and prevent unauthorized access.

Database security is a critical responsibility for every DBA. Regular security assessments help identify vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.

Oracle Database Security Assessment Tool (DBSAT) consists of three main components: Collector, Reporter, and Discoverer, each designed to analyze and evaluate different aspects of database security.

The Collector and Reporter work together to detect potential security risks in the Oracle Database environment and generate the Database Security Assessment Report, while the Discoverer operates independently to identify and report sensitive data through the Database Sensitive Data Assessment Report.

Collector:

The Collector gathers information from the target database by executing SQL queries and operating system commands. It mainly retrieves metadata from database dictionary views and stores the collected data in a JSON file, which is later used by the Reporter for analysis.

Reporter:

The Reporter processes and analyzes the data collected by the Collector. Based on this analysis, it generates a detailed security assessment report that highlights potential risks and configuration issues. The report can be produced in multiple formats, including HTML, Excel, JSON, and Text.

Discoverer:

The Discoverer is responsible for locating sensitive data within the database. It runs SQL queries on database dictionary views according to the rules defined in configuration files. The output identifies potentially sensitive information and provides reports in HTML, CSV, and JSON formats.

How to download DBSAT Tool?

To download you need to use below link. 

https://support.oracle.com/support/?anchorId=&kmContentId=2138254&page=sptemplate&sptemplate=km-article 

Demo: Running a Security Assessment Using DBSAT

Installing DBSAT 

Create directory to install DBSAT

mkdir dbsat4

Download or copy the dbsat.zip file to the database server

Unzip the DBSAT zip file

Collect Data

Let's  reviewing all DBSAT command-line parameters

Run DBSAT to collect data from TEST

Generate the report 

Unpack the file to view the reports

Analyze Report

Discover Sensitive Data

Unpack the file to view the reports

View Sensitive Data

Caution: Your use of any information or materials on this Blog is entirely at your own risk. It is provided for educational purposes only.

Apply Patch RU on Database 19c(19.30)

 

Environment:- 

      DB Version : Oracle 19c, File system: Normal

       Platform : Linux86_64

Download Patch from My Oracle Support:- 

https://support.oracle.com/support/anchorId=&documentId=CPU4&page=sptemplate&sptemplate=km-article

Unzip Patch:-

Unzip Bundle Patch

First, apply the Database RU patch 38632161.
Minimum required OPatch version for this patch is 12.2.0.1.48.
Let’s verify our current OPatch version before proceeding.

Current Version:-

Let’s upgrade the OPatch version by downloading Patch 6880880.
While downloading, select "OPatch for DB 19.0.0.0.0" from the Select a Release dropdown menu, as shown in the screenshot below.

Now, the OPatch version has been upgraded.

 Interim Patch Conflict Detection and Resolution

Shutdown database and as well listener

Let's Apply Database RU patch 

Applying OJVM Patch 

Current Version Apply SQL Changes(DataPatch)

Verify from dba_registry_sqlpatch

Caution: Your use of any information or materials on this Blog is entirely at your own risk. It is provided for educational purposes only.

Install Oracle database 19c

 Step-by-Step Installation of Oracle 19c (Release 3) on Linux 8 Download Software

All prerequisite configurations have already been completed, including memory allocation, swap configuration, kernel parameter settings, creation of required groups and users, and profile setup.

Download Software 

https://www.oracle.com/database/technologies/oracle19c-linux-downloads.html

 Unzip Software

Invoke ./runInstaller

Start the Oracle Universal Installer by issuing the  command.

Note :- Use of any information or materials provided on this website is solely at your own risk. The content is intended for educational purposes only