I think I've seen the data guard broker do things like this. From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Stephens, Chris Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2010 7:33 PM To: Stephens, Chris; ORACLE-L Subject: RE: how to determine who/what is opening the database This is almost certainly coming from some sort of automated process. The database is only opened by something else once the database is mounted (and I'm trying to rename my database files!!). From: oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:oracle-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Stephens, Chris Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2010 11:26 AM To: ORACLE-L Subject: how to determine who/what is opening the database 10.2.0.4 on RHEL 5 I'm in doing some datafile renaming for my own sanity. The thing is, once I mount the database and rename a few datafiles, I start getting messages that the database is open. ERROR at line 1: ORA-01511: error in renaming log/data files ORA-01121: cannot rename database file 2 - file is in use or recovery ORA-01110: data file 2: '/u01/oradata/db_name/undotbs01.dbf' SYS@remgt> alter database open; alter database open * ERROR at line 1: ORA-01531: a database already open by the instance How would I go about figuring out what or who is opening the database? This has happened repeatedly. I have contact the system administrators and they can't think of any monitoring software they have configured to do thiat. CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is intended for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by email reply. CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is intended for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by email reply.