ORA-01665: control file is not a standby control file

ORA-01665: control file is not a standby control file

It means that I have restored not standby control file…

To cope with this situation I have to CREATE STANDBY CONTROL FILE on primary, copy it to standby, then restore it, depending on disk configuration rename data, log-files…, but… I’m quite lazy… and prefer quick solutions if they are present.

So, the quick solution for ORA-01665 will be:

SQL> ALTER DATABASE CONVERT TO PHYSICAL STANDBY;

Lets see the small example:

SQL> STARTUP MOUNT

ORACLE instance started.

…
Database mounted.

SQL> ALTER DATABASE RECOVER MANAGED STANDBY DATABASE DISCONNECT;

ERROR at line 1:
ORA-01665: control file is not a standby control file

SQL> SELECT database_role FROM v$database;

DATABASE_ROLE
—————-
PRIMARY

SQL> ALTER DATABASE CONVERT TO PHYSICAL STANDBY;

Database altered.

SQL> STARTUP MOUNT

ORACLE instance started.

…
Database mounted.

SQL> SELECT database_role FROM v$database;

DATABASE_ROLE
—————-
PHYSICAL STANDBY

SQL> ALTER DATABASE RECOVER MANAGED STANDBY DATABASE DISCONNECT;

Database altered.

So, now I have control file for Physical Standby database and I’m able to start Managed Recovery and I think that it is much easier/quicker than using the standard procedure or making new standby control file on primary, copying it to standby host, restoring, etc.