How Can I Resolve the Ora-65096: Invalid Common User Or Role Name Error in Oracle?

Encountering database errors can be a frustrating experience, especially when the messages seem cryptic or unfamiliar. One such error that often puzzles Oracle Database users is the infamous ORA-65096: Invalid Common User Or Role Name. This error typically emerges in environments where multitenant architecture is employed, and it signals specific naming constraints that can catch even seasoned DBAs off guard. Understanding the nature and implications of this error is crucial for anyone managing Oracle databases, as it directly impacts user and role creation within container databases.

At its core, the ORA-65096 error relates to the rules Oracle enforces on naming conventions for common users and roles in a multitenant setup. Unlike traditional single-tenant databases, multitenant architecture introduces a layered environment where common users span across all pluggable databases, necessitating stricter naming policies. This error serves as a safeguard, ensuring consistency and preventing conflicts in user and role management across containers.

Grasping the context in which ORA-65096 arises is the first step towards effective troubleshooting and resolution. By exploring the underlying principles behind common user naming conventions and the architectural nuances of Oracle’s multitenant framework, readers can better navigate this error. The following sections will delve deeper into the causes, implications, and practical

” or “c” Requirement

In Oracle Multitenant architecture, the naming of common users and roles must adhere to specific conventions to differentiate them clearly from local users and roles. A critical requirement is that common users and roles must begin with the prefix “C” (case-insensitive). This is enforced to prevent conflicts in the container database (CDB) environment, where common users exist across all pluggable databases (PDBs).

The prefix requirement serves as a namespace mechanism, ensuring that common user and role names are globally unique within the CDB. If a user or role name does not start with “C” when created in the root container, Oracle raises the `ORA-65096: Invalid Common User Or Role Name` error.

For example:

Valid common user name: `CADMIN`
Invalid common user name: `ADMIN`

This prefix rule does not apply to local users and roles created within individual PDBs, where the naming can follow traditional Oracle username conventions without the “C” prefix.

Allowed Characters and Length Constraints

Oracle enforces specific character and length restrictions on user and role names to maintain consistency and prevent errors. These constraints apply to both common and local users but are particularly important for common users due to the prefix requirement.

Usernames and role names must begin with a letter.
After the initial character(s), names can include letters, numbers, and the underscore (_) character.
The name length should be between 1 and 30 characters inclusive.
The mandatory common user prefix “C” counts towards the total length.

Failure to comply with these constraints results in errors such as `ORA-65096` or `ORA-00904` (invalid identifier).

Constraint	Description	Example
Prefix	Common users/roles must start with “C” (case-insensitive)	CUSER1
Starting Character	Must start with a letter (A-Z, a-z)	CA123
Allowed Characters	Letters, numbers, and underscore (_); no spaces or special characters	CUSER_NAME_01
Length	1 to 30 characters, inclusive (prefix included)	CLONGUSERNAME1234567890ABCDE

Examples of Valid and Invalid Names

The following examples illustrate common user and role names that comply with or violate Oracle’s naming rules, particularly focusing on the “C” prefix and character constraints.

Valid Names:

`CDBA`
`capp_user`
`CROLE_01`
`CX`

Invalid Names:

`DBA` (missing “C” prefix in root container)
`C1ADMIN` (starts with digit after prefix)
`CADMIN!` (contains invalid special character ‘!’)
`CTHISUSERNAMEISWAYTOOLONGFORORACLE` (exceeds 30 characters)
`user_name` (missing prefix when created as common user)

These examples emphasize the importance of following Oracle’s strict naming conventions to avoid encountering the `ORA-65096` error during user or role creation in multitenant environments.

How to Identify if a User/Role is Common or Local

Distinguishing between common and local users or roles is essential for effective management in a multitenant Oracle database. Several methods and queries can help identify the type of a user or role.

Queries to Differentiate User Types

Oracle provides data dictionary views that include columns indicating whether a user or role is common or local. The following queries can be executed in the root container (CDB$ROOT) or within a PDB to check user types:

“`sql
— List all common users
SELECT username FROM cdb_users WHERE common = ‘YES’;

— List all local users in a specific PDB
SELECT username FROM dba_users WHERE common = ‘NO’;

— Check if a specific user is common or local
SELECT username, common FROM cdb_users WHERE username = ‘CADMIN’;
“`

The `COMMON` column returns ‘YES’ for common users/roles and ‘NO’ for local ones.

Using Data Dictionary Views

The primary views to examine user and role types are:

`CDB_USERS`: Contains all users across the CDB, with the `COMMON` column indicating type.
`CDB_ROLES`: Lists all roles with a `COMMON` flag.
`DBA_USERS`: Shows local users in the current container.
`DBA_ROLES`: Shows local roles in the current container.

By querying these views appropriately, administrators can determine the scope and type of each user or role.

Indicators in Oracle SQL Developer

Oracle SQL Developer visually distinguishes common and local users/roles in the Connections pane. Common users are typically displayed with a special icon or label indicating their container-wide presence. Additionally, filtering options allow viewing users by container context (CDB vs. PDB).

Administrators should ensure they connect to the root container when managing common users to see the full list and avoid confusion.

Best Practices for Creating Users and Roles in Multitenant Environments

Effective user and role management in multitenant databases requires adherence to best practices that minimize errors and enhance security.

Choosing Proper Naming Conventions

Always use the “C

Understanding the Cause of Ora-65096 Error

The Oracle error ORA-65096: Invalid Common User Or Role Name occurs primarily when attempting to create a common user or role in a multitenant container database (CDB) environment with an invalid naming convention. This error is specific to Oracle Database versions 12c and later, where the multitenant architecture introduced the concept of common and local users.

In a multitenant architecture:

Common users exist across the entire container database, including all pluggable databases (PDBs).
Local users exist only within a specific pluggable database.

The error arises because Oracle enforces stricter naming rules for common users and roles to distinguish them from local users.

Naming Rules for Common Users and Roles

Oracle requires common user and role names to follow a specific naming pattern to prevent conflicts and ensure clarity across containers. The rules include:

Rule	Description	Example
Prefix Requirement	Common user or role names must start with the letter “C” (case-sensitive).	`CADMIN`, `CAPPUSER`
Character Limit	Names must comply with the maximum length allowed by Oracle for usernames (typically 30 characters).	`CLONGUSERNAME1234567890`
Valid Characters	Only alphanumeric characters and underscores are allowed; no special characters or spaces.	`CUSER_01`

How to Correctly Create a Common User

When creating a common user, ensure you are connected to the root container (`CDB$ROOT`) and follow the naming convention. The syntax is as follows:

“`sql
CREATE USER Cusername IDENTIFIED BY password CONTAINER=ALL;
“`

Key points to remember:

Use the prefix `C` in the username.
Specify `CONTAINER=ALL` to indicate the user is common to all containers.
Connect as a privileged user with the necessary administrative rights.

Example:

“`sql
CONNECT SYS AS SYSDBA
CREATE USER CAPPUSER IDENTIFIED BY StrongPass123 CONTAINER=ALL;
GRANT CONNECT, RESOURCE TO CAPPUSER CONTAINER=ALL;
“`

Differences Between Common and Local Users

Aspect	Common User	Local User
Existence Scope	Root container and all PDBs	Single pluggable database only
Naming Convention	Must start with `C`	No prefix required
Creation Location	Connected to `CDB$ROOT`	Connected to specific PDB
Syntax	`CREATE USER Cuser IDENTIFIED BY pwd CONTAINER=ALL;`	`CREATE USER user IDENTIFIED BY pwd;`
Privileges	Can have common privileges across containers	Privileges limited to PDB

Common Scenarios Triggering ORA-65096

Attempting to create a user without the `C` prefix in the root container.
Creating users with invalid characters or spaces in the username.
Attempting to create a common user while connected to a pluggable database.
Using reserved or disallowed names that violate Oracle’s naming policy for common users.

Workarounds and Best Practices

For creating common users: Always connect to `CDB$ROOT` and use the `C` prefix.
For local users: Connect to the specific pluggable database and create users without the prefix.
Avoid using common users unnecessarily: If the user is only needed within a single PDB, create a local user instead.
Modify the common user prefix (not recommended): You can change the default prefix using the `COMMON_USER_PREFIX` initialization parameter, but this requires caution and is rarely necessary.
Check container context: Use the following query to verify your current container:

“`sql
SELECT SYS_CONTEXT(‘USERENV’, ‘CON_NAME’) FROM DUAL;
“`

Grant appropriate privileges: Grant roles and privileges using `CONTAINER=ALL` when dealing with common users.

Example: Creating a Local User to Avoid ORA-65096

If you do not require a common user, create a local user inside a pluggable database:

“`sql
— Connect to the pluggable database
ALTER SESSION SET CONTAINER = pdb1;

— Create local user without Cprefix
CREATE USER localuser IDENTIFIED BY password;

— Grant privileges
GRANT CONNECT, RESOURCE TO localuser;
“`

This approach bypasses the `ORA-65096` error because local users do not require the `C` prefix.

Summary of Key Commands

Command Purpose	Example Command
Check current container	`SELECT SYS_CONTEXT(‘USERENV’, ‘CON_NAME’) FROM DUAL;`
Create common user	`CREATE USER Ccommon IDENTIFIED BY pwd CONTAINER=ALL;`
Grant roles to common user	`GRANT CONNECT, RESOURCE TO Ccommon CONTAINER=ALL;`
Switch to pluggable database	`ALTER SESSION SET CONTAINER = pdb_name;`
Create local user in PDB	`CREATE USER localuser IDENTIFIED BY pwd;`
Grant roles

Expert Perspectives on Resolving Ora-65096: Invalid Common User Or Role Name

Dr. Anjali Mehta (Senior Oracle DBA, TechSolutions Inc.). The Ora-65096 error typically arises when attempting to create a common user or role with a name that does not conform to Oracle’s naming conventions for container databases. It is crucial to prefix common users with “C” or “c” to ensure compatibility across pluggable databases. Ignoring this requirement leads to invalid user or role name errors, which can be resolved by adhering strictly to Oracle’s naming standards.

Mark Liu (Cloud Database Architect, DataSphere Technologies). Encountering Ora-65096 usually indicates a misunderstanding of the multitenant architecture in Oracle 12c and above. Common users must be created at the container database level with proper prefixes, while local users are created within pluggable databases without such restrictions. Properly distinguishing between these contexts and following Oracle’s guidelines prevents this error and ensures seamless user management.

Elena García (Oracle Security Consultant, SecureDB Solutions). From a security standpoint, the Ora-65096 error serves as a safeguard to prevent naming conflicts in a multitenant environment. The enforced prefix for common users helps maintain clear boundaries and avoid privilege escalation risks. When designing user roles, it is essential to plan naming conventions in advance and validate them against Oracle’s requirements to maintain both operational integrity and security compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does the error “ORA-65096: Invalid Common User Or Role Name” mean?
This error indicates that the username or role you are trying to create does not comply with the naming conventions for common users or roles in a multitenant Oracle database.

Why does Oracle restrict certain usernames in multitenant environments?
Oracle enforces specific naming rules for common users and roles to ensure uniqueness and proper management across all pluggable databases within a container database.

How can I resolve the ORA-65096 error when creating a user?
Prefix the username with “C” or “c” to designate it as a common user, or create the user as a local user within a pluggable database without the prefix.

Can I create a common user without the “C” prefix in Oracle 12c and later?
No, Oracle requires the “C” prefix for common users to differentiate them from local users in a multitenant architecture.

Is it possible to disable the restriction on common user naming conventions?
Yes, by setting the initialization parameter `COMMON_USER_PREFIX` to an empty string, but this is not recommended as it may cause conflicts and management issues.

What is the difference between a common user and a local user in Oracle multitenant databases?
A common user exists across all pluggable databases within a container database and requires the “C” prefix, while a local user exists only in a single pluggable database without the prefix requirement.
The Oracle error ORA-65096: Invalid Common User Or Role Name typically occurs when attempting to create a common user or role in a multitenant container database (CDB) environment without adhering to the naming conventions required by Oracle. Specifically, common users and roles must have names that begin with the prefix “C” or “c” to distinguish them from local users or roles. Failure to comply with this naming standard results in the ORA-65096 error, preventing the creation of the user or role at the CDB root level.

Understanding the distinction between common and local users is critical when managing Oracle multitenant architectures. Common users exist across all pluggable databases (PDBs) within the CDB, whereas local users are confined to individual PDBs. This architectural design enforces strict naming conventions to maintain clarity and avoid conflicts in user management. Therefore, when creating users or roles intended for the entire CDB, adhering to the “C” prefix rule is mandatory.

Key takeaways include the importance of recognizing the Oracle multitenant environment’s requirements and adjusting user creation scripts accordingly. If the intention is to create a user only within a specific pluggable database, the user should

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Barbara Hernandez: Barbara Hernandez is the brain behind A Girl Among Geeks a coding blog born from stubborn bugs, midnight learning, and a refusal to quit. With zero formal training and a browser full of error messages, she taught herself everything from loops to Linux. Her mission? Make tech less intimidating, one real answer at a time.

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