ASMLib

ASMLib is the storage management interface that helps simplify the operating system–to–database interface. The ASMLib API was developed and supported by Oracle to provide an alternative interface for the ASM-enabled kernel to identify and access block devices. The ASMLib interface serves as an alternative to the standard operating system interface. It provides storage and operating system vendors the opportunity to supply extended storage-related features that provide benefits such as improved performance and greater integrity than are currently available on other database platforms.

Installing ASMLib

Oracle provides an ASM library driver for the Linux OS. With the advent of this library, steps such as raw device binding become unnecessary. The ASM library driver must be installed prior to installing any Oracle Database software. In addition, it is recommended that any ASM disk devices required by the database be prepared and created before the OUI database installation.