Most Common Data Guard broker issues

Now we will discuss some general Data Guard broker issues.

ORA-16797: database is not using a server parameter file

If you ever start an instance with PFILE instead of SPFILE, DMON will not be able to communicate with the databases. SPFILE is mandatory for communicating with remote destinations to fetch required information from the broker configuration file and server parameter files. This issue can eventually be identified from DGMGRL by retrieving configuration information as follows:

DGMGRL> show configuration;
Configuration - PACKT
  Protection Mode: MaxPerformance
  Databases:
    TURKEY_UN - Primary database
    INDIA_UN  - Physical standby database
      Error: ORA-16797: database is not using a server parameter file
Fast-Start Failover: DISABLED
Configuration Status:
ERROR

Create a new SPFILE on the standby system from PFILE, and bounce the standby database as follows:

SQL> create spfile from pfile;
File created.
SQL> shutdown immediate...