How to automate Oracle DB installation (like a 'hands-free' install)?
Two solutions:

Install Oracle manually the first time. Then zip all ORACLE_HOME and for future installation simply:


Unzip oracle_home into the new home
Run $ORACLE_HOME/bin/relink all
Run ./runInstaller -silent -attachHome ORACLE_HOME="&lt;Oracle_Home_Location&gt;" ORACLE_HOME_NAME="&lt;Oracle_Home_Name&gt;"


SID is a property of the database/instance and is separate from installation of the software.



Other solution (not my preferred but probably the preferred for mass deployment) is to create a response file. The sample is available in the installation dir: 

&lt;11g Disk&gt;/database/response/enterprise.rsp


Copy this file, edit it and replace default values with your ones (mainly the path, install type, etc). Then run:

./runInstaller -silent -responseFile myresponsefile.rsp


You can also install the DB manually the first time and record the response file witht he command:

./runInstaller -record -destinationFile myresponsefile.rsp


The first one is my preferred because you can easily install and patch the database with the last PSU available, then you have a consolidated installation can be moved around. Of course all systems must be already prepared with needed packages.