First, the automatic failover configuration requires the following:
- Oracle GoldenGate 12.1.2.0 or later versions deployed on Oracle Database File System (DBFS) with Integrated Capture. Integrated replicat is also needed for the automated process.
- Oracle Database 11.2.0.4 or later versions with patches required by Oracle GoldenGate (Note 155703.1)
- Oracle Grid Infrastructure 11.2.0.4 or later versions with Agent 6.1+ (Oracle Clusterware)
Second, the most critical parts of this configuration include:
- Maintaining accurate Oracle GoldenGate checkpoints and processing information during the transition - This is enabled by keeping Oracle GoldenGate files, including the checkpoint files, bounded recovery files, trail files, parameter files but not including the process files on the DBFS file system. Oracle Clusterware is used to mount the file system to the new primary during the role transition.
- Making sure Oracle GoldenGate only replicates data that's delivered to the standby database - You need to enable the TRANLOGOPTIONS HANDLEFAILOVER configuration in the Oracle GoldenGate extract.
Third, during the role transition, the Oracle GoldenGate extract will abend after the old primary is no longer available. However, after the new primary becomes available, the extract restarted by Oracle GoldenGate Manager will resume the replication automatically. Don't worry about the Oracle GoldenGate extract doesn't replicate at the beginning. The Oracle GoldenGate extract will wait until the new standby database instance is up before it starts to replicate the transactions.
Yes, you can, but it's not recommended. This is because ACSF is not integrated with role transitions or CRS and there are a lot of manual processes and limitations with ACFS.[2]
- Oracle MAA White Paper,Transparent Role Transitions With Oracle Data Guard and Oracle GoldenGate, February 2016
- Oracle Support Note, Oracle Data Guard Role Transitions with Oracle GoldenGate and ACFS (Doc ID 2200156.1)
- Oracle Golden Gate and Oracle Data Guard: Working Together Seamlessly, OpenWorld Presentation, 2012