1. Introduction

I assume that the reader is familiar with Linux file systems, commands and tools, utilities, shells and shell scripts.

1.1 Overview

This document intends to show a simplified installation sequence for Oracle 9i database on RedHat Linux 8.x and 9.x. It is meant only as an example and if one intends to follow it, he/she should have in mind their own version of Linux, Oracle distribution and specific parameters of their own PC system.

This document also limits the installation information to Linux only, and is not intended to be used for other UNIX brands. To install Oracle 9i in other operating environments, use the Oracle Installation Guide.

I am not a DBA, nor I intend to show high skills in Oracle Administration, so please, do not ask me DBA questions. I will leave this task to the experienced DBAs :)

1.2 Copyright

This document is Copyright 2003 by Evgueni Tzvetanov (Speedy). Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts.

For the full text of the license, please visit the GNU Free Documentation License.

1.3 Disclaimer

Use the information in this document at your own risk. I disavow any potential liability for the contents of this document. Use of the concepts, examples, and/or other content of this document is entirely at your own risk.

All copyrights are owned by their owners, unless specifically noted otherwise. Use of a term in this document should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.

Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen as endorsements.

You are strongly recommended to take a backup of your system before major installation and backups at regular intervals.

1.4 Credits

This document was created, using knowledge, gained from different sources -- books and web sites.

• Oracle 9i Installation Guide
• Oracle 9i Database Administrator's Guide
• DBA's guide to databases on Linux
• Oracle 8i: A beginner's guide
• Oracle web site (http://www.oracle.com)

I want to express my sincere thanks to their authors!

I also want to thank the people who gave me hints and led this update to wider range of solutions.

• Steve Schladel, a colleague and DBA in UMDNJ, who gave me a hint about a variable which solved the blocking of the installation process under RedHat 9.x.
• Rene Bauer, who sent a detailed explanation on the problems encountered with JRE version differences, related to gcc 2.9.x vs. gcc 3.2 distributions, and Legato Single Server Version instalation.

Some of the experiences listed in the examples were gained with a lot of tests and experiments. Please feel free to experiment; that's the main key to finding a desired solution. Even you crush a system or two, it helps you in your creativity and you learn from your mistakes.

Feel free to send any comments or suggestions to evgueni@email.com