ASM provides filesystem and VOLUME manager capabilities built into the Oracle database kernel. Withthis capability, ASM simplifies storage management tasks, such as creating/laying out databases and disk space management. Since ASM allows disk management to be done using familiar create/alter/drop SQL statements, DBAs do not need to learn a new skill set or make crucial decisions on provisioning.

The following are some key benefits of ASM:

• ASM spreads I/O evenly across all available disk drives to prevent hot spots and maximize performance.
• ASM eliminates the need for over provisioning and maximizes storage resource utilization facilitating database consolidation.
• INHERENT large file support.
• Performs automatic online redistribution after the incremental addition or removal of storage capacity.
• Maintains redundant copies of data to provide high availability, or leverages 3rd party RAID functionality.
• Supports Oracle Database as WELL as Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC).
• Capable of leveraging 3rd party multipathing TECHNOLOGIES.
• For simplicity and easier migration to ASM, an Oracle database can contain ASM and non-ASM files.
• Any new files can be created as ASM files whilst existing files can also be migrated to ASM.
• RMAN commands enable non-ASM managed files to be relocated to an ASM disk group.
• Enterprise Manager Database Control or Grid Control can be used to manage ASM disk and file activities.

ASM provides filesystem and volume manager capabilities built into the Oracle database kernel. Withthis capability, ASM simplifies storage management tasks, such as creating/laying out databases and disk space management. Since ASM allows disk management to be done using familiar create/alter/drop SQL statements, DBAs do not need to learn a new skill set or make crucial decisions on provisioning.

The following are some key benefits of ASM: