ORA-3113: end-of-file on communication channel tips Oracle Error Tips by Stephanie F.

 

The Oracle docs note this on the ora-3113 error:

Error: ORA 3113
Text: end-of-file on communication channel
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cause: An unexpected end-of-file was processed on the communication channel.
The problem could not be handled by the SQL*Net, two task, software.
This message could occur if the shadow two-task process associated with
a SQL*Net connect has terminated abnormally, or if there is a physical
failure of the interprocess communication vehicle, that is, the
network or server machine went down.

Action: If this message occurs during a connection attempt, check the setup
files for the appropriate SQL*net driver and confirm SQL*Net software
is correctly installed on the server. If the message occurs after a
connection is well established, and the error is not due to a physical
failure, check if a trace file was generated on the server at failure
time. Existence of a trace file may suggest an Oracle internal error
that requires the assistance of customer support.

Internet sources contain important information regarding ORA-3113, noted for "experienced users":

Explanation:
There are numerous causes of this error. It is a 'catch all' type
error which means 'I cannot communicate with the oracle shadow process'.
This usually occurs when the Oracle server process has died for
some reason.

Diagnosis:
Oracle support need more information to determine what caused the
error. The most useful items are:

1) Does this occur when trying to (a) make a connection to the
database or (b) on an established connection ?

2) There should be a trace file from the failed session in
USER_DUMP_DEST

3) Does a particular statement reproduce this problem or is it
random - Use SQL_TRACE on the session to find the problem
statement.