Optimal Flexible Architecture (OFA)

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~gpiper/oracle/ora_8.html
http://download-uk.oracle.com/docs/html/A97297_01/appg_ofa.htm
http://www.remote-dba.cc/teaser_aegis_ault_dba_ofa.htm

One way to simplify installation planning is to adopt the Optimal Flexible Architecture
(OFA) model that Oracle recommends as a best-practice methodology for managing Oracle
installations in Unix environments (and to a lesser extent, Windows environments).

The OFA model prescribes that the directory structures under the mount points use a consistent
and meaningful naming convention.
In addition to this naming convention, the OFA model also
assigns standard operating system environment variable names to some of these directory paths
as “nicknames” to aid in navigation and ensure portability of the directory structures in the
event that they need to be moved to new file systems.


The OFA model is useful for establishing a manageable directory structure for a new Oracle
server. The OFA model recommends mount point, directory, and file-naming conventions.
Once the OFA structure is established, you can use the OUI to install the Oracle 10g software
into the location you’ve selected.