Time for action – switchover with a physical standby using SQL*Plus

Perform the following steps using the SQL*Plus connection for both the databases:

1. We have to check whether the primary database is ready for switchover to standby or not. Check the switchover status from the primary database by issuing the following command and verify that the status is either TO STANDBY or SESSIONS ACTIVE:

   SQL> select switchover_status from v$database;
   SWITCHOVER_STATUS
   --------------------
   TO STANDBY

   The previous output shows that the primary database is ready to switch to the standby database role. The SESSIONS ACTIVE status indicates that some user sessions are still connected to the database. Such a case does not pose an obstacle for switchover. When output is SESSIONS ACTIVE, you have to perform switchover using the keyword WITH SESSION SHUTDOWN. This is so that those sessions will be terminated during the switchover.

2. Perform the switchover command from the primary database.

   SQL> alter database commit...