I was configuring an Oracle Data Guard 19c database, and when I tried to start the database, I received the following error:
[oracle@techserver dbs]$ sqlplus "/as sysdba" SQL*Plus: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Mon Jul 5 01:03:14 2021 Version 19.3.0.0.0 Copyright (c) 1982, 2019, Oracle. All rights reserved. Connected to an idle instance. SQL> startup mount pfile=inittech1.ora ORA-01261: Parameter db_recovery_file_dest destination string cannot be translated SQL> exit Disconnected
After some analysis, I concluded that the error was the “*.db_recovery_file_dest” parameter configured in the database.
[oracle@techserver dbs]$ cat initTECH1.ora TECH1.__oracle_base='/u01/app/oracle'#ORACLE_BASE set from environment *.compatible='12.2.0' *.db_block_size=8192 *.db_file_name_convert='+DATA','+DATA' *.db_name='TECH' *.db_unique_name='TECH_ltm_dr' *.fal_client='TECH_LTM_DR1,TECH_LTM_DR2' *.fal_server='TECHPRD1D1,TECHPRD2' *.log_archive_config='DG_CONFIG=(TECH_LTM_DR,TECH)' *.log_archive_dest_1='LOCATION=USE_DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST VALID_FOR=(ALL_LOGFILES,ALL_ROLES) DB_UNIQUE_NAME=TECH_LTM_DR' *.log_archive_dest_2='SERVICE=TECH_LTM_DR VALID_FOR=(ONLINE_LOGFILES,PRIMARY_ROLE) DB_UNIQUE_NAME=TECH' *.log_file_name_convert='+DATA','+DATA' *.standby_file_management='AUTO' *.db_recovery_file_dest='+DATA/FRA/' *.db_recovery_file_dest_size=40G [oracle@techserver dbs]$ vi initTECH1.ora
When you use a location on ASM, it is only necessary to specify the name of the disk group and not the directories inside the disk group. Knowing that I configured the parameter from :
*.db_recovery_file_dest='+DATA/FRA/' *.db_recovery_file_dest_size=40G [oracle@techserver dbs]$ vi initTECH1.ora
To:
*.db_recovery_file_dest='+DATA/FRA/' [oracle@techserver dbs]$ vi initTECH1.ora
After the modification the pfile had the output below:
[oracle@techserver dbs]$ cat initTECH1.ora TECH1.__oracle_base='/u01/app/oracle'#ORACLE_BASE set from environment *.compatible='12.2.0' *.db_block_size=8192 *.db_file_name_convert='+DATA','+DATA' *.db_name='TECH' *.db_unique_name='TECH_ltm_dr' *.fal_client='TECH_LTM_DR1,TECH_LTM_DR2' *.fal_server='TECHPRD1D1,TECHPRD2' *.log_archive_config='DG_CONFIG=(TECH_LTM_DR,TECH)' *.log_archive_dest_1='LOCATION=USE_DB_RECOVERY_FILE_DEST VALID_FOR=(ALL_LOGFILES,ALL_ROLES) DB_UNIQUE_NAME=TECH_LTM_DR' *.log_archive_dest_2='SERVICE=TECH_LTM_DR VALID_FOR=(ONLINE_LOGFILES,PRIMARY_ROLE) DB_UNIQUE_NAME=TECH' *.log_file_name_convert='+DATA','+DATA' *.standby_file_management='AUTO' *.db_recovery_file_dest='+DATA' *.db_recovery_file_dest_size=40G
Consequently, the startup worked after that:
]$ sqlplus "/as sysdba" SQL*Plus: Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production on Mon Jul 5 01:08:08 2021 Version 19.3.0.0.0 Copyright (c) 1982, 2019, Oracle. All rights reserved. Connected to an idle instance. SQL> startup mount pfile=initTECH1.ora ORACLE instance started. Total System Global Area 297794752 bytes Fixed Size 8895680 bytes Variable Size 230686720 bytes Database Buffers 50331648 bytes Redo Buffers 7880704 bytes Database mounted. SQL> exit Disconnected from Oracle Database 19c Enterprise Edition Release 19.0.0.0.0 - Production Version 19.3.0.0.0
*The views expressed here are my own and do not represent those of my employer.*
Hello, I’m Bruno — a dual citizen of Brazil and Sweden. I bring a global perspective shaped by experiences in both South America and Europe, with a strong focus on collaboration and innovation across cultures. I am a Computer Scientist, PhD Candidate in Information and Communication Technologies, focusing on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and hold dual Master’s degrees in Data Science and Cybersecurity. With over fifteen years of international experience spanning Brazil, Hungary, and Sweden, I have collaborated with global organizations such as IBM, Playtech, and Oracle, as well as contributed remotely to projects across multiple regions. My professional interests include Databases, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Data Science, Data Engineering, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Programming, and Software Engineering, all driven by a deep passion for transforming data into strategic business value.