Hi Before 11gR1 it's not mandatory to use different db_unique_name on primary and standbys. Dataguard 11g admin guide says: Oracle Data Guard release 11g ensures each database's DB_UNIQUE_NAME is different. After upgrading to 11g, any databases with the same DB_UNIQUE_NAME will not be able to communicate with each other. Y. Emre Baransel ________________________________ From: K R <kp0773@xxxxxxxxx> To: Oracle-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 9:47 PM Subject: db_unique_name All, I have the primary db on server A , and planning to make the standby on server B. Can I have the db_unique_name same same as db_name in standby database.? appreicate any suggestion. thanks Kart