Error "Oracle not available. Shared memory realm does not exist" from NuGenesis applications - WKB73251

SYMPTOMS

• On Oracle shutdown, the following messages appear:
  • ORA-01034: ORACLE not available
  • ORA-27101: Shared memory realm does not exist
• On Oracle startup, the following messages appear:
  • ORA-03113: end-of-file on communication channel
  • Process ID: <ID>
  • Session ID: <ID> serial number: <Number>

Result for query: SELECT * FROM V$RECOVERY_FILE_DEST; shows that SPACE_USED and SPACE_LIMIT are (almost) equal.

ENVIRONMENT

• NuGenesis 8 SDMS
• NuGenesis 8 ELN
• NuGenesis 9 SDMS
• NuGenesis 9 ELN

CAUSE

The actual size of the FRA (Oracle Backup Fast Recovery Area) has grown larger than the size configured. FRA is Full.

FIX or WORKAROUND

1. Check free disk space on the location of the FRA.

2. Run statements in command prompt started as administrator:

set oracle_sid=SDMS
D:\oracle\product\11.2.0\SDMS\BIN\sqlplus /nolog
connect sys/sysoracle as sysdba
alter system set db_recovery_file_dest_size=<New FRA Size in Gigabytes>G;

(example alter system set db_recovery_file_dest_size=250G;)

3. Start up Oracle.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If the alter system set command is not completed successfully run the following command in SQLPLUS: 

shutdown abort;
startup mount;
repeat the alter system set db_recovery_file_dest_size command from above. 
alter database open;

Note:  If the "Shared Memory Real does not exist" error only occurs when logging into SDMS Adpplications and the same error is not witnessed in SQLPLUS when doing a Shutdown immediate; and Startup; of the database, then there is likely a communication issue with the port used for ODBC communications. 

In this case, you can test the connection for ODBC port (Default Port 1521) using the Waters Net Configuration Assistant applications.  If the Connection test fails here also, then investigate possible port issue with local Windows firewall or or restriction for the ODBC port at the network level.