Oracle is a popular and powerful database management system used by many organizations around the world. As a sysdba (system database administrator), you are responsible for managing and maintaining the Oracle database. This includes ensuring the security of the database, which includes setting a strong and secure password for the sysdba account. However, there may be situations where you need to recover or change the sysdba password. In this guide, we will go through a step-by-step process for recovering or changing the Oracle sysdba password.
Before we begin, it is important to note that the sysdba account is a privileged account with full access to the database. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the steps carefully to avoid any potential risks or data loss.
Step 1: Identify the Database Version
The first step in recovering or changing the sysdba password is to identify the version of the Oracle database. This is important because the steps may vary slightly depending on the version. You can find the database version by running the following command in SQL*Plus:
SELECT * FROM V$VERSION;
Step 2: Connect as SYSDBA
Next, you will need to connect to the database as the sysdba user. To do this, open a command prompt or terminal and type the following command:
sqlplus / as sysdba
This will prompt you for the sysdba password. If you have forgotten the password or need to change it, follow the steps below.
Step 3: Recovering the Sysdba Password
If you have forgotten the sysdba password, you can recover it using the password recovery feature in Oracle. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Stop the Oracle database service using the following command:
shutdown immediate;
2. Start the database in mount mode using the following command:
startup mount;
3. Create a new password file by entering the following command:
orapwd file=<path>/password.ora password=<new_password> entries=10
Note: Replace <path> with the location where you want to create the password file and <new_password> with your desired password.
4. Open the password file and change the SYS password by entering the following command:
alter user sys identified by <new_password>;
5. Save and close the password file.
6. Start the database in normal mode using the following command:
alter database open;
7. Test the new password by connecting to the database as sysdba using the new password.
Step 4: Changing the Sysdba Password
If you know the current sysdba password and want to change it, follow these steps:
1. Connect to the database as sysdba using the current password.
2. Change the password by entering the following command:
alter user sys identified by <new_password>;
3. Test the new password by connecting to the database as sysdba using the new password.
4. Save the changes by entering the following command:
commit;
5. Exit SQL*Plus by entering the following command:
exit;
Step 5: Update Password in Config File
After changing the sysdba password, it is important to update the password in the Oracle configuration file. This is necessary for the database to start using the new password. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Locate the Oracle configuration file, which is usually named init.ora or spfile.ora.
2. Open the configuration file using a text editor.
3. Search for the line containing the text “remote_login_passwordfile”.
4. Change the value from NONE to EXCLUSIVE or SHARED depending on your database version.
5. Save and close the configuration file.
Step 6: Restart the Database
To apply the changes, you will need to restart the Oracle database service. Once the database is restarted, you can test the new password by connecting to the database as sysdba.
In conclusion, recovering or changing the Oracle sysdba password is a relatively straightforward process. However, it is important to follow the steps carefully to avoid any potential issues. It is also recommended to use a strong and secure password to ensure the security of your database. By following this step-by-step guide, you can easily recover or change the sysdba password and continue managing your Oracle database with confidence.
