Oracle Display Controlfiles

Expert Oracle Database Tips by Donald BurlesonApril 7, 2015

Question: How can I see the controlfiles for my database? I do not know, and I want to find the location of my control files. I want to add a controlfile, and I need to know which disks my controlfiles reside upon.

Answer: You can use this SQL*Plus commands to find the Oracle control file locations:

SQL> show parameter control_files

SQL> database backup controlfile to trace

You can also use SQL*Plus scripts against the v$parameter and v$control_file.

For RAC, use the gv$controlfile and vg$parameter views:

col value format a41

select
    value
from
    v$parameter
where
    name = 'control_files';

select
    name
from
    v$controlfile;

select
    rpad(substr(name,1,50),51,' ') "control file name"
from
    gv$controlfile;

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