APPLIES TO:
Oracle Database - Enterprise Edition - Version 11.2.0.2 and later
information in this document applies to any platform.
***Checked for relevance on 21-Jul-2017***
SYMPTOMS
Unable to create a single instance "DUPDB" with a database name "UTLD" on a Exadata Server,when there are already exists a two node RAC database having Database Name "UTLD" on the Exadata servers.
Exadata Box with four servers: DB01,DB02,DB03 and DB04.
A two node RAC database "UTLD" exists on DB01 and DB02.
When attempting to create a single instance "DUPDB" with a database name of "UTLD" on DB03; it fails with:
$ echo $ORACLE_SID
dupdb
sql> STARTUP NOMOUNT PFILE='/u02/oradba/initdupdb.ora'
ORA-00304: requested INSTANCE_NUMBER is busy
Pfile(initdupdb.ora) has:
instance_name='dupdb'
db_name='utld'
CAUSE
As the database UTLD exists in two nodes,Oracle believes you want to add the instance in the other node.
SOLUTION
Add the parameter db_unique_name with a unique name in the init<SID>.ora file.Eg:db_unique_name = dupdp
