Oracle Database Discussions

Hi Folks,
On one of the site i found below note.

What is the difference between a PFILE and SPFILE:*

A PFILE is a static, client-side text file that must be updated with a standard text editor like "notepad" or "vi". This file normally reside on the server, however, you need a local copy if you want to start Oracle from a remote machine. DBA's commonly refer to this file as the INIT.ORA file.*

An SPFILE (Server Parameter File), on the other hand, is a persistent server-side binary file that can only be modified with the "ALTER SYSTEM SET" command. This means you no longer need a local copy of the pfile to start the database from a remote machine. Editing an SPFILE will corrupt it, and you will not be able to start your database anymore.*


My doubt is , as mentiond above how we can start a database remotely from a client machine just by having a pfile at client side.

Below is the link, where i got this.

http://www.orafaq.com/node/5


Thanks