mysql oradba,ORA-00304: requested INSTANCE_NUMBER is busy

APPLIES TO:

Oracle Database - Enterprise Edition - Version 11.2.0.2 and later

Information in this document applies to any platform.

***Checked for relevance on 21-Jul-2017***

SYMPTOMS

Unable to create a single instance "DUPDB" with a database name "UTLD" on a Exadata Server, when there are already exists a two node RAC database having Database Name "UTLD" on the Exadata servers.Exadata box with four servers: DB01, DB02, DB03 and DB04.

A two node RAC database "UTLD" exists on DB01 and DB02.

When attempting to create a single instance "DUPDB" with a database name of "UTLD" on DB03; it fails with:

$ echo $ORACLE_SID

dupdb

SQL> STARTUP NOMOUNT PFILE='/u02/oradba/initdupdb.ora'

ORA-00304: requested INSTANCE_NUMBER is busy

Pfile(initdupdb.ora) has:

instance_name='dupdb'

db_name='utld'

CAUSE

As the database  UTLD exists in two nodes , Oracle believes you want to add the instance in the other node.

SOLUTION

Add the parameter db_unique_name with a unique name in the init.ora file.

Eg:

db_unique_name = dupdp