Oracle RAC SCAN
Oracle RAC SCAN, which stands for Single Client Access Name, is a feature in Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC) that provides a single virtual hostname for client connections to the cluster database. The SCAN simplifies client connectivity and load balancing by abstracting the underlying cluster configuration and presenting a unified endpoint.
Here are key points to understand about Oracle RAC SCAN:
Simplified Client Connectivity: Instead of connecting to individual node names or VIP (Virtual IP) addresses, clients connect to the SCAN. The SCAN acts as a single virtual hostname that remains constant regardless of the cluster size or configuration changes.
SCAN VIP: The SCAN is associated with three SCAN VIPs (Virtual IP addresses). These VIPs are assigned to network interfaces on different nodes within the cluster. Each node in the cluster listens on all three VIPs, allowing clients to connect to any SCAN VIP.
SCAN Listener: The SCAN Listener is a single listener process that runs on each node in the cluster. It listens on the SCAN VIPs and handles incoming client connection requests. The SCAN Listener redirects client connections to the appropriate node and instance within the cluster.
Load Balancing: The SCAN Listener performs load balancing by distributing client connections across the available nodes and instances in the RAC cluster. It uses a load-balancing algorithm to evenly distribute client requests and optimize resource utilization.
High Availability: The SCAN provides high availability for client connections. If a node or SCAN VIP fails, the SCAN VIP is automatically relocated to another node, ensuring uninterrupted client connectivity. Clients do not need to update their connection details in case of node failures.
Transparent Node Addition/Removal: Adding or removing nodes from the RAC cluster does not impact client connectivity. Clients continue to connect to the SCAN, and the SCAN Listener dynamically adjusts the routing of connections to reflect the updated cluster configuration.
SCAN Configuration: The SCAN is configured during the installation or configuration of Oracle RAC. It requires a SCAN hostname and a corresponding DNS entry pointing to the SCAN VIPs. Clients use the SCAN hostname to connect to the cluster database.
By utilizing the Oracle RAC SCAN feature, clients can connect to the cluster database without needing to be aware of the underlying cluster configuration. The SCAN provides a unified and load-balanced entry point, enhancing scalability, availability, and ease of client connectivity in Oracle RAC environments.