crontab and tnsping

[Teckh]

Hi,

I am trying to create a script that does a tnsping on an oracle DB every 5 minutes by a crontab.

I know my problem relates to the crontab not being able to convert the Oracle service name.

In the crontab I have:
5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,0 * * * * /library/file_transfer/scripts/OraclePing.sh

and the script looks like:

echo `date '+%m/%d/%y %H:%M:%S'` - `/appl/oracle/iofm/iofmora9i/8.0.6/bin/tnsping or123 | tail -c 93` >> /library/file_transfer/OraclePing.txt

The part that specifically fails is 'tnsping or123' as it is unable to resolve the or123 service name.

Does anyone know how I can get around this problem?

Thanks.

 

[Teckh]

I've run a few more tests and I have found a way around the tnsname I believe. However, there is still a problem as tnsping still fails. The script runs fine outside of crontab so I assume its an environment problem?

08/03/05 19:15:00 - TNS Ping Utility for IBM/AIX RISC System/6000: Version 8.0.6.3.0 - Production on 03-AUG-2005 19
:15:00 (c) Copyright 1997 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved. Attempting to contact (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(HO
ST=<removed>)(PORT=<removed>)) Message 3509 not found; No message file for product=NETWORK, facility=TNS

 

[KenCunningham]

Make sure the $PATH variable as used from the command line is included early within your script. Also, explicitly set $ORACLE_HOME and $ORACLE_SID within it.

 

[p5wizard]

or run a cron wrapper script from root's crontab

In root's crontab put:
5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,0 * * * * /library/file_transfer/scripts/OraclePing.crn

OraclePing.crn (mode at least -r-x------, owner root):

su - oracle <<eof_su
/library/file_transfer/scripts/OraclePing.sh
eof_su

I assumed "oracle" is your oracle user. By su -ing to oracle you set up the complete oracle environment (must be "su - oracle" not "su oracle").


HTH,

p5wizard

 

[KenCunningham]

That's a point. I had assumed Teckh was running this as Oracle.

 

[Teckh]

When using su, at least on the command line, it asks for the users password. How does the crontab handle that input request?

 

[PHV]

How does the crontab handle that input request
No password asked if run as root.

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ181-2886

 

[columb]

see faq822-5476

Columb Healy

 

[Teckh]

Hi,

I tried using the cron wrapper.

I setup a file with the following in it:
su - oracle <<eof_su
/library/file_transfer/scripts/OraclePing.sh
eof_su

and used the following in the crontab

5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,0 * * * * /library/file_transfer/scripts/OraclePing.crn

now the script does not fire at all, no output file is created.

 

[PHV]

And what about this root's crontab entry ?
5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,0 * * * * su - oracle -c '/library/file_transfer/scripts/OraclePing.sh'

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ181-2886

 

[duncdude]

i'm not sure but i think this works every 5 minutes:-

*/5 *   *   *   *

Kind Regards
Duncan

 

[Teckh]

I do not have root access to the system. Is there any other way to set up a crontab to run a tnsping?

Thanks.

 

[KenCunningham]

Did you try my suggestion?

 

[Annihilannic]

duncdude, yes, that would run every 5 minutes, but that syntax is only supported on certain versions of the cron daemon, such as vixie-cron on Linux.

Annihilannic.

 

[duncdude]

Ah. I see. Thank you Annihilannic.


Kind Regards
Duncan

 

[p5wizard]

If you don't have root access, then you can't use root's crontab and can't use an 'su - oracle' wrapper.

You can still create a wrapper script that sets a full oracle environment:

In oracle's crontab put:
5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,0 * * * * /library/file_transfer/scripts/OraclePing.crn

OraclePing.crn (mode at least -r-x------, owner oracle):

#!/bin/ksh
# # #
# build complete oracle env for cron-started process
. /etc/profile
. ${HOME}/.profile
# # #
# Now run the OraclePing script
/library/file_transfer/scripts/OraclePing.sh

Again assuming that user "oracle" owns your Oracle installation. I also assumed korn shell as login shell.

Or easier:

Just put the two dot commands to build the environment in the beginning of your OraclePing.sh script...


HTH,

p5wizard

 

[Teckh]

Thanks p5wizard.
I just needed to set the oracle env in the script like you suggested.

Cheers.

 

[KenCunningham]

Ahem! ;-)