Single Client Access Name

In release 11g, Oracle introduced the Single Client Access Name (SCAN), as a preferred access method for clients connecting to the RAC. In this method clients are not required to configure individual nodes in the RAC, rather they use a single virtual IP known as the SCAN or the SCAN VIP.

The SCAN is a single network name defined for the cluster either in your organization's Domain Name Server (DNS) or in the Grid Naming Service (GNS) that rotates between several IP addresses reflecting multiple listeners in the cluster. The SCAN eliminates the need to change clients when nodes are added to or removed from the cluster.

The SCAN and its associated IP addresses provide a stable name for clients to use for connections, independent of the nodes that make up the cluster. Database server SCAN addresses, virtual IP addresses, and public IP addresses must all be on the same subnet.

In Universal CMDB, when using Oracle RAC, it is recommended to use the SCAN method.