SQL> ORA-16024: parameter LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_1 cannot be parsed

[Arjen Visser]

While creating the standby database, the following error is received:
SQL> ORA-16024: parameter LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST_1 cannot be parsed

By running the strings command on the spfile it is possible to see the values of the init.ora parameters of the standby database.

Spfile for the standby database:
strings spfileORCL.ora
*.audit_file_dest='/u01/app/oracle/admin/ORCL/adump'
*.compatible='11.2.0.0.0'
*.db_block_size=8192
*.db_create_file_dest='/u01/app/oracle/oradata'
*.db_create_online_log_dest_1='/u01/app/oracle/oradata'
*.db_create_online_log_dest_2='/u01/app/oracle/oradata'
*.db_name='ORCL'
*.db_recovery_file_dest_size=20971520000
*.diagnostic_dest='/u01/app/oracle'
*.dispatchers='(PROTOCOL=TCP) (SERVICE=ORCLXDB)'
*.log_archive_dest_1='/u01/app/oracle/oradata'
*.log_archive_dest_2='/u01/app/oracle/oraarch/'
*.log_archive_format='%t_%s_%r.dbf'
*.memory_target=524288000
*.open_cursors=300
*.processes=500
*.remote_login_passwordfile='EXCLUSIVE'
*.sessions=772
*.undo_tablespace='UNDOTBS1'


There are 2 issues:

1. The log_archive_dest_n (log_archive_dest_2) should not end with a "/"
2. The syntax for log_archive_dest_n is:
   log_archive_dest_1='LOCATION=/u01/app/oracle/oradata'
   log_archive_dest_2='LOCATION=/u01/app/oracle/oraarch'
   
   LOCATION= is compulsory.

By updating the spfile and fixing the above 2 issues, the standby database was successfully created.
If using Dbvisit Standby to create the standby database, then the log_archive_dest_n parameters can be updated in the "Customise Standby Oracle Parameters" section.