Resolving ORA-00257: Archiver Error. Connect Internal Only, Until Freed
Introduction
Understanding the Cause
Step-by-Step Solutions
Examples
Conclusion
Introduction
ORA-00257 is a common error in Oracle databases, indicating an issue with the archiver process. The error message typically reads:
ORA-00257: archiver error. Connect internal only, until freed.
This error prevents users from making new database connections until the issue is resolved. Understanding the cause and solutions for this error is crucial for database administrators to ensure smooth database operations.
Understanding the Cause
The ORA-00257 error occurs when the Oracle archiver process cannot write to the archive log destination because it is full or unavailable. Common causes include:
- Full Archive Log Destination: The most common cause is that the disk space allocated for archive logs is full.
- Archiver Process Stuck: The archiver process might be unable to proceed due to issues like I/O errors or lack of resources.
- Incorrect Archive Log Destination: Misconfiguration of the archive log destination path can also lead to this error.
Step-by-Step Solutions
To resolve ORA-00257, follow these troubleshooting steps:
1. Check Archive Log Destination Usage
Verify the usage of the archive log destination using the following SQL command:
SQL> ARCHIVE LOG LIST;
This command will display the current status and location of the archive logs.
2. Free Up Disk Space
If the archive log destination is full, free up disk space by deleting or moving old archive logs to another location.
$ rm /path_to_archive_logs/*.arc
3. Change Archive Log Destination
Modify the archive log destination to a location with sufficient disk space:
SQL> ALTER SYSTEM SET log_archive_dest_1='LOCATION=/new_path_to_archive_logs' SCOPE=SPFILE;
SQL> SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE;
SQL> STARTUP;
This change will take effect after restarting the database.
4. Manual Archiving
Force manual archiving to free up space:
SQL> ALTER SYSTEM ARCHIVE LOG ALL;
This command will manually archive all redo logs, which can help in clearing space in the redo log destination.
Examples
Example 1: Full Archive Log Destination
You attempt to connect to the database and receive the ORA-00257 error. Checking the archive log destination shows it is full:
SQL> ARCHIVE LOG LIST;
Database log mode Archive Mode
Automatic archival Enabled
Archive destination /opt/oracle/archivelogs
Oldest online log sequence 105
Next log sequence to archive 106
Current log sequence 106
Solution: Delete old archive logs from the /opt/oracle/archivelogs directory.
Example 2: Changing Archive Log Destination
The current archive log destination is nearly full, and you want to change it to a new location:
SQL> ALTER SYSTEM SET log_archive_dest_1='LOCATION=/new_archivelogs' SCOPE=SPFILE;
SQL> SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE;
SQL> STARTUP;
This will move the archive log destination to /new_archivelogs, ensuring sufficient space.
Conclusion
ORA-00257: Archiver Error. Connect Internal Only, Until Freed is a critical Oracle error that occurs due to issues with the archiver process.
By understanding its causes and following the provided solutions, database administrators can effectively troubleshoot and resolve this error, ensuring the smooth operation
of the Oracle database. Regular monitoring and maintenance of archive log destinations are essential to prevent this issue from recurring.
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