ORA-04031: unable to allocate 4096 bytes of shared memory

[jperusco]

I have had this issue with two 8.1.7.3.0 databases. There is a patchset you can apply but there is also a workaround.

Add the following to your init.ora:

event="4031 trace name errorstack level 3"

_db_handles_cached = 0

works a treat.

John