Advantages of Multiple Oracle Homes and OFA

When you install Oracle database, you are installing a large application that your computer can support. Using multiple Oracle homes and Optimal Flexible Architecture provides many advantages when administering large databases. The following advantages are important:

• Structured organization of directories and files, and consistent naming for database files simplify database administration.

• Distribution of I/O across multiple disks prevents performance bottlenecks caused by multiple read or write commands issued simultaneously to a single drive.

• Distribution of applications across multiple disks safeguards against database failures.

• Login home directories are not at risk when database administrators add, move, or delete Oracle home directories.

• Multiple databases, of different versions, owned by different users can coexist concurrently.

• Software upgrades can be tested in an Oracle home in a separate directory from the Oracle home where your production database is located.