Oracle RAC over LXC containers

Actitud

Hello,

I've found this note (2216342.1) which specifically says Oracle RAC is not supported on Docker. Does anybody have a note for LXC?

I'm deploying entire RACs on LXC with tremendous success and needs more info on the support standpoint.

Thanks in advance,

Alex.

Amend: This question is about Rac over LXC with RedHat.

Message was edited by: Actitud

Andris Perkons-Oracle

Check the RAC Virtualisation Matrix: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/virtualizationmatrix-172995.html

It looks like LXC is supported for some database versions.

There's also a footnote you should check: "Please refer to Oracle Database Release Notes 12c Release 1 (12.1) and Oracle Database Release Notes 12c Release 2 (12.2) for content specific to Oracle Linux Containers (LXC)."

Andris

Avi Miller-Oracle

I've moved this to the Database Installation forum for better topic alignment.

Actitud

Well, I put that one before but thought this is more specific for containers experts somehow.

Anyhow, thanks!

Alex-D

The certification and licensing subjects are handled by database team, so the "database installation" group is indeed more appropriate.

Knowing that Docker is built on top of the LXC (I am oversimplifying there, but it is "mostly" true), I would expect the same answer from Oracle.

I'd suggest to open an SR with the question to have an "official" answer. Please keep us informed if you do

Regards

Actitud

Thanks for the reply!

That is true. Docker (unsupported for RAC) is a child of LXC however the latter is much closer to a physical host than a VM (in terms of hardware vs. virtualized components) which makes me believe they should not be seen the same way for licensing purposes. Also, Docker was meant to be used for individual processes or micro services and to use it for a RAC node is like a freak of nature. On an LXC it fits just well.

I'll submit an SR and let you guys know what I can find.

Note: Also good to consider that LXCs are supported for Oracle Linux

Thanks again!

Alex.

Andris Perkons-Oracle

Check the RAC Virtualisation Matrix: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/database/virtualizationmatrix-172995.html

It looks like LXC is supported for some database versions.

There's also a footnote you should check: "Please refer to Oracle Database Release Notes 12c Release 1 (12.1) and Oracle Database Release Notes 12c Release 2 (12.2) for content specific to Oracle Linux Containers (LXC)."

Andris

Actitud

Yeah, I checked that but is not conclusive about RAC.

I'm writing the SR to get a more official answer but again, if UEK can be deployed with LXC, it makes sense to support it.

Andris Perkons-Oracle

I fail to see what's "not conclusive". There's a column named "Certified Oracle RAC Database Releases", and if you check the row with "LXC", you will see that two database releaeses (12.1.0.2 and 12.2.01) are listed.

Andris

Actitud

The matrix is clear. You are right. I misread it the first time.

I marked your answer as correct, however, I'm still not 100% sure in my case as I'm using RH7 over LXC, not OL7.

I'll wait for the answer in the SR before I can be very sure.

Andris Perkons-Oracle

Just looking at the Virtualization Matrix and the Relase Notes for 12.1 (https://docs.oracle.com/database/121/LADBN/toc.htm#CJAEGCGG ), I'd say only Oracle Linux is supported. This does not mean that RHEL does not work (it obviously works for you), or that you will be denied support in case something goes wrong with your database, but that's a different topic.

Anyway, I'd be interested what the official answer is.

Andris