Subject:            Renaming Database Files
Last Revision Date: 11 September 1994
Author:Suw and i Harnyo                                           



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To rename or move database files to another directory:

[1] shutdowm immediate  /* Very important */

[2] copy the database files to the new directory except the
    control file.

[3] startup mount

[4] connect internal

[5] alter database rename file 'oldfilename' to 'newfilename';
    Repeat for other database files such as online redo logs.

[6] shutdown the database

[7] If you want to rename the control file, add the control_files
    parameter in the initSID.ora file to reflect the new path.
    This step should be taken after all the database files have
    been renamed and the database is shutdown.

[8] startup    /* The database is now using the new database files */
               /* You can then remove the old database files */

Example:
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SQL*DBA: Version 6.0.26.9.1 - Production on Fri Apr 20 06:54:43 1990

Copyright (c) Oracle Corporation 1979, 1988.  All rights reserved.

ORACLE RDBMS V6.0.26.9.1, transaction processing option - Beta

SQLDBA> shutdown immediate
Database closed.
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.
SQLDBA>

<<<<<< MOVE OR RENAME YOUR DATABASE FILES AT O/S LEVEL >>>>
#
$ cp /home/oracle/dbs/dbss6026.dbf /newhome/oracle/dbs/dbsfile1.dbf
$ cp /home/oracle/dbs/log1s6026.dbf /newhome/oracle/log/log1A.dbf
$ cp /home/oracle/dbs/log2s6026.dbf /newhome/oracle/log/log2A.dbf
#
#
SQLDBA> startup mount
Oracle instance started
Database mounted
SQLDBA> connect internal
Connected.
SQLDBA> alter database rename file '?/dbs/dbss6026.dbf' to
     2> '/newhome/oracle/dbs/dbsfile1.dbf';
Statement processed.
SQLDBA> alter database rename file '?/dbs/log1s6026.dbf' to
     2> '/newhome/oracle/log/log1A.dbf';
Statement processed.
SQLDBA> alter database rename file '?/dbs/log2s6026.dbf' to
     2> '/newhome/oracle/log/log2A.dbf';
Statement processed.
SQLDBA> shutdown
ORA-01109: database not open
Database dismounted.
ORACLE instance shut down.
SQLDBA>exit

<<< Rename or move the control file at O/S level >>>
$cp /home/oracle/dbs/control1s6026.dbf /newhome/control1A.dbf

  # Edit the initSID.ora file to include the new control filename
  # in the control_files parameter.
  # i.e. control_files = (/newhome/control1A.dbf)

$ sqldba startup    /* The database starts up using the new
                    /* database files.