We have followed the HP model and set up a software distribution (HP calls it a Software Depot) node.
We copy the CDs into appropriate directories as the Oracle administrator. Then we allow NFS mounts of the SD node file systems and install from the SD node. We also are running Samba here and install the Oracle clients from this node as well. Works like a charm. Yes, it's a little slower than a local CD, but it's much easier to use and administrate. Between distributions for HP, Solaris, and Windows, and versions 7.x, 8.x, 8i, 8iR2, 8iR3 and 9i, I was a more a librarian than DBA. When we install, each ORACLE_HOME is a different mount point (on UNIX). We use the OFA model, slightly modified. Individual mount points look like this: Volume Group Mount Point ------------ ----------------------------------- vgora /ofa/u01/app/oracle vgora /ofa/u01/app/oracle/product/x.x.x vgora /ofa/u01/app/oracle/product/y.y.y vgsid1 /ofa/u01/oradata/SID1 vgsid1 /ofa/u02/oradata/SID1 vgsid2 /ofa/u01/oradata/SID2 vgsid2 /ofa/u02/oradata/SID2 (etc etc etc)...you get the picture, right? It makes refreshing easier, too. You can down a single database, say SID1, and use cpio to copy the files to the refresh system, and not hinder the running of the other SIDs. I wish I could claim credit for this strategy 'cause it works well for us, but it's been a team effort and is still very much a work in progress. Just my $0.02. Mike -----Original Message----- Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 9:33 AM To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L I have installed 8.1.7 on a Tru64 5.1 system. I simply copied the CD's into separate directories on our NFS mounts, then logged into the system where I wanted to do the install, found the installer program, and ran it. I don't remember there being any problems. I did the same thing when I went to patch 8.1.7, I untarrred the patch onto my NFS mount, then I could apply the patch to any of my systems from one central location. Darren -----Original Message----- Sent: February 6, 2002 10:09 AM To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L Environment: Tru64 V5.1 on Alpha 4100/8100 ORA 8.0.6 I have upgraded our sandbox system to 8.1.7.2 last month, and will be upgrading several other machines shortly. The problem is the stage & ORACLE_HOME mount points have insufficient disk space and our systems folks have told me that it will be very difficult to add any more space to these mount points. There are other mount points that currently have enough space, so my questions are, has anyone done a 8i/UNIX install/upgrade from a directory other than under /oracle/stage, or used a symbolic link to download the CD's contents to another directory? Or broken out the ORACLE_HOME subdirectories onto more than one mount point? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike Hand Polaroid Corp -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com -- Author: Hand, Michael T INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com -- Author: Vergara, Michael (TEM) INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- (858) 538-5051 FAX: (858) 538-5051 San Diego, California -- Public Internet access / Mailing Lists -------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).