Oracle7 Server Concepts
Introduction to Database Startup and Database Shutdown
An Oracle database may not always be available to all users. The database administrator can start up a database so that it is open. When a database is open, users can access the information that it contains. If a database is open, the database administrator can shut down the database so that it is closed. When a database is closed, users cannot access the information that it contains.
Only a database administrator can open or close a database. Normal users do not have control over the current status of an Oracle database. Security for database startup and shutdown is controlled via connections to Oracle with administrator privileges.
Connecting with Administrator Privileges
Database startup and shutdown are powerful administrative options and are protected by the ability to connect to Oracle with administrator privileges.
Depending on the operating system, one of the following prerequisites is required to connect to Oracle with administrator privileges:
- The user's operating system account has operating system privileges that allow him/her to connect using administrator privileges.
- The database has a password for the INTERNAL login, and the user knows the password.
In addition, users can connect with administrator privileges only to dedicated servers (not shared servers).
When you connect with administrator privileges, you are placed in the schema owned by SYS.
These requirements provide extra security to prevent unauthorized users from starting up or shutting down any Oracle databases.
For more information about password files and authentication schemes for database administrators, see Chapter 17, "Database Access".
Additional Information: For information on how administrator privileges work on your operating system, see your operating system-specific Oracle documentation.