Oracle 26ai Installation on Oracle Linux 9 Using GUI and DBCA

Oracle AI Database 26ai installation on Oracle Linux 9 is one of the most searched topics among Oracle DBAs as Oracle introduces its next-generation AI-enabled database platform.

In this detailed guide, you’ll learn how to install Oracle Database 26ai on Oracle Linux 9 using the GUI installer, followed by creating the database using DBCA (Database Configuration Assistant).

This article is written for:

• Oracle DBA beginners

• Working professionals

• Interview preparation

• Lab and real-world installations

🎥 Complete video walkthrough:👉 

What Is Oracle AI Database 26ai?

Oracle AI Database 26ai is the latest Oracle Database release designed to integrate AI-driven capabilities directly into the database engine. It focuses on automation, performance optimization, and simplified database management.

Key highlights of Oracle 26ai:

• AI-assisted performance insights

• Enhanced automation

• Modern architecture

• Strong focus on cloud and hybrid environments

Learning Oracle 26ai early gives DBAs a career advantage, especially as organizations begin planning upgrades.

Oracle 26ai Installation Overview (GUI + DBCA)

This guide demonstrates a GUI-based Oracle 26ai installation, which is the most commonly used approach for:

• Learning environments

• Proof-of-concept setups

• Initial project deployments

• Interview demonstrations

Installation type used:

• Oracle Universal Installer (GUI)

• DBCA GUI for database creation

• Single Instance Database

• Container Database (CDB + PDB)

• File system storage

• Oracle Linux 9.x

System Requirements for Oracle 26ai on Oracle Linux 9

Before starting the Oracle Database 26ai installation, ensure the following:

• Oracle Linux 9.x installed

• Internet or local repository access

• Sufficient disk space for:

  • Oracle software

  • Datafiles

  • Fast Recovery Area (FRA)

• Proper hostname and DNS resolution

Oracle recommends using the oracle preinstall RPM to avoid missing prerequisite issues.

Step 1: Install Oracle Preinstall RPM on Oracle Linux 9

Oracle provides a preinstall package that automatically:

• Creates oracle user and groups

• Installs required OS packages

• Configures kernel parameters

Using this package significantly reduces installation errors and is considered a best practice.

Step 2: Create Oracle Directory Structure

Following Oracle standards, directories are created for:

• ORACLE_BASE

• ORACLE_HOME

• Database datafiles

• Fast Recovery Area (FRA)

Correct directory layout is critical for:

• Performance

• Backup and recovery

• Patching

• Long-term maintenance

Step 3: Configure Oracle User Environment Variables

The oracle user .bash_profile is configured with:

• ORACLE_BASE

• ORACLE_HOME

• ORACLE_SID

• PATH and library variables

This ensures:

• Oracle installer runs correctly

• DBCA executes without issues

• SQL*Plus and other utilities work properly

Step 4: Prepare Oracle 26ai Software

The Oracle Database 26ai software is:

1. Copied to the Oracle Home directory

2. Extracted as the oracle user

At this stage, the system is ready for running the Oracle Universal Installer.

Step 5: Set CV_ASSUME_DISTID for Oracle Linux 9

When installing Oracle 26ai on Oracle Linux 9, it is required to set:

export CV_ASSUME_DISTID=OL8

This resolves compatibility checks during the GUI installation and is a mandatory step for Oracle Linux 9 environments.

Step 6: Run Oracle 26ai GUI Installer

Using the Oracle Universal Installer (GUI), you will:

• Select installation type

• Configure Oracle Home

• Validate prerequisites

• Complete the software installation

After installation, Oracle prompts you to run root scripts, which finalize system configuration.

Step 7: Verify Oracle 26ai Installation

Once installation is complete, verify the setup by:

• Checking Oracle version using sqlplus -v

• Verifying Oracle inventory

• Ensuring Oracle binaries are accessible

This confirms that Oracle Database 26ai software is installed successfully.

Step 8: Create Database Using DBCA (GUI)

DBCA (Database Configuration Assistant) is used to:

• Create a Container Database (CDB)

• Create a Pluggable Database (PDB)

• Configure memory, storage, and character sets

• Set administrative passwords

DBCA simplifies database creation and is widely used in enterprise environments.

Step 9: Post-Installation Validation

Final checks include:

• Database open mode

• PDB status

• Listener status

• PMON background process verification

These checks ensure the database is fully operational.

Watch the Complete Oracle 26ai Installation Video

This article complements a full step-by-step video, where every command and GUI screen is demonstrated on Oracle Linux 9.

🎥 Watch here:👉 https://youtu.be/wVfUecXwDDw

Who Should Learn Oracle 26ai Installation?

This guide is ideal for:

• Oracle DBA beginners

• Experienced DBAs upgrading skills

• Linux administrators

• Students preparing for interviews

• Professionals working on Oracle projects

What’s Next in the Oracle 26ai Series?

Upcoming tutorials will cover:

• Oracle 26ai silent installation

• DBCA silent mode

• Patching and upgrades

• Oracle DBA interview questions

• Automation using shell scripts and Ansible

Conclusion

Installing Oracle AI Database 26ai on Oracle Linux 9 using GUI and DBCA is the first step toward mastering Oracle’s next-generation database platform.

By understanding the GUI installation process, DBAs build a strong foundation before moving into automation and advanced administration topics.

👉 Bookmark this page and subscribe to the YouTube channel for upcoming Oracle 26ai content.