Renaming PDB

Oracle 12c has introduced CDB/ PDB architecture . Prior to 12c , Only one database can  be serviced by an instance ( in a Single Instance ) / by instances ( in RAC) . In other words , no more than one databases can be serviced by an instance(s). 

In Oracle 12c, we can have ( pluggable) databases that are  contained with in a  (container) database. Container database will not have user data , where as the pluggable database will have the user data. This is almost synonymous with Sybase / MS SQL Server or DB2.  Loosely speaking , we can equate Container database as to Combination of System (master , msdb , model and resource ) databases in Sybase / MS-SQL Server. 

Note : With the standard license , we can one CDB and one PDB . We would need additional license , if we are planning to have more than one PDB. 

Let us say , we created a database with DBCA and asked for 2 PDBs with the pdb_docs, then we will have a CDB ( whatever we have given ) , PDB seed  and two pdbs with pdb_docs1 and pdb_docs2. 

As you can see , OXYZ12DB is a the containter database .

C:\>sqlplus / as sysdba

SQL*Plus: Release 12.1.0.1.0 Production on Fri May 22 13:37:02 2015

Copyright (c) 1982, 2013, Oracle.  All rights reserved.


Connected to:
Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition Release 12.1.0.1.0 - 64bit Production
With the Partitioning, Oracle Label Security, OLAP, Advanced Analytics
and Real Application Testing options

SQL> select name , CDB  from v$database;

NAME      CDB
--------- ---
OXYZ12DB  YES

SQL> select name , open_mode , restricted from v$pdbs;

NAME                           OPEN_MODE  RES
------------------------------ ---------- ---
PDB$SEED                       READ ONLY  NO
PDB_DOCS1                      READ WRITE YES

PDB_DOCS2                      READ WRITE NO

Now , let us see how we can change the name of pdb_docs2 to pdb_noncredit .
We need to be connected the correct PDB and it needs to be in restricted mode. 

C:\>sqlplus sys@pdb_docs2 as sysdba

SQL*Plus: Release 12.1.0.1.0 Production on Fri May 22 13:50:16 2015

Copyright (c) 1982, 2013, Oracle.  All rights reserved.

Enter password:

Connected to:
Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition Release 12.1.0.1.0 - 64bit Production
With the Partitioning, Oracle Label Security, OLAP, Advanced Analytics

and Real Application Testing options

SQL> select name , open_mode from v$pdbs;

NAME                           OPEN_MODE
------------------------------ ----------

PDB_DOCS2                      READ WRITE


We need to open the PDB in restricted mode , so we can its change its name. 

SQL>  alter pluggable database pdb_docs2 close immediate;

Pluggable database altered.

SQL> alter pluggable database pdb_docs2 open restricted;

Pluggable database altered.

SQL> select name , open_mode , restricted from v$pdbs;

NAME                           OPEN_MODE  RES
------------------------------ ---------- ---
PDB_DOCS2                      READ WRITE YES



SQL> alter pluggable database pdb_docs2  rename global_name to pdb_noncredit;

Pluggable database altered.

SQL> select name , open_mode , restricted from v$pdbs;

NAME                           OPEN_MODE  RES
------------------------------ ---------- ---
PDB_NONCREDIT                  READ WRITE YES

Here we go. Now the PDB's name is changed to PDB_NONCREDIT.

Make sure that you change your tnsnames.ora to reflect the new name . 

Comments welcome.