How important is having Unix/Linux OS Knowledge for Oracle DBAs?

Hello,

I wanna wish you all a very Happy New Year 2009 before being discussed on “How Important Having UNIX OS Knowledge for Oracle DBA?”

The main reason for discussing this topic is to encourage the novice or junior DBAs to have command on Unix/Linux Operating System as part of Database Administration. Because, when they were asked how comfortable they are working as DBA on Unix/Linux environment, then their responses are as following.

“They are pretty much comfortable working and administrating the databases on Windows Operating System as they were trained on administrating the database on Windows OS during their DBA Training”

“They are not enough confident in using the Unix/Linux OS commands to administer the databases”

“We didn’t get the chance yet to maintain the database on UNIX environment including Solaris, HP-Unix, IBM AIX, etc.”

“Working on windows environment is easier than working on Unix/Linux environment as it’s only required, on Windows OS, to select the files physically/copy/cut & paste from one location to another, or delete the files, and stopping the services by simply clicking, where as in Unix/Linux, one should use commands manually for the same”

…. and so on.

If anyone is with the above impression about administrating databases on Unix/Linux OS, then here are my suggestions as follows.

• First of all, it’s not compulsory for DBAs to have operating system administration skills. But, working knowledge, on both the operating systems including Windows and Unix/Linux, is always value added to Oracle DBAs
• The majority of the production database administration on Unix/Linux based operating systems is enormous in the globe, i.e. very large and mission critical databases are being maintained on Unix/LinuxOS.
• Obviously, all big companies require the database administrator who’s having good UNIX scripting knowledge and working knowledge of UNIX based environments. It means that the Oracle DBAs, having good working knowledge of UNIX, have demand in the IT market.
• Even though the DBAs intervention is manual in terms of creating directories, files, setting up environment variables, and starting/stopping the services in Unix environment, it’s very easy as good as maintaining in Windows environment.
• Administration and OS commands are more or less similar on any flavor of Unix/Linux Operating system i.e. Solaris, HP-Unix, IBM AIX, Red Hat, Fedora, Ubuntu, etc., So, start practicing Oracle database administration on Unix/Linux based systems.
• Probably, it may be difficult to have Unix OS installed in the personal computer for practical purpose. So, download the free/trail version of Linux (Oracle Unbreakable Linux) from Oracle, install and configure in the PC, and start practicing on Linux. To practice on different Unix/Linux OS flavors, get your pc installed with the VM Ware, where you can set up multiple and different flavors of Unix/Linux OS.
• Note: Of course, this post is not for showing the difference between Windows and Unix/Linux Operating Systems as every OS has its own significance, but to encourage the Oracle DBAs to learn the commands of Unix/Linux required administering the databases.

Quick Links:

Download: Enterprise Linux and Oracle VM

Information: Oracle and Linux

Installation Guides: Oracle 10g Instalaltion on Unix/Linux OS

Books: Oracle9i UNIX Administration Handbook

Linux Recipes for Oracle DBAs

Training: Oracle Database 10g: Managing Oracle on Linux for DBAs

Exam: Oracle Database 10g: Managing Oracle on Linux Certified Expert Oracle

** Your comemnts and inputs are welcomed to this post. **

Regards,

Sabdar Syed

Download Free Oracle Certification Dumps Here!!

This blog post is for them; those who are desperately looking for free Oracle Certification dumps.

Well, you might be surprised to see the message of the post is irrelevant to the subject. All my intension is to bring your attention towards “How bad it is? Cheating the Oracle Certifications by simply reading the exam dumps”.

Mr. Paul Sorensen, Director of Oracle Certification, and other certification team members have launched the Oracle Certification Blog , where they blog about everything on Oracle Certification. Interestingly, there are a couple of blog posts on “Cheating Hurts the Oracle Certification Program” and others.

For list of blog posts on Cheating, then take a look at – Cheating Oracle Certifications . Do not forget to read the comments of every post in the above link.

Quick Links to Prepare for Oracle Certification

• Previous Post: The books, guides, and materials used for my OCA/OCP/OCE Exam Preparation.
• On the Blog: My Other Blog Posts on Certifications.
• On the Web: Oracle Certification Program.

Keywords:

OCA, OCP, OCE, Dumps, Brain dumps, Practice Questions, Sample Questions, Cheat sheet, Test papers.

Regards,
Sabdar Syed.

Should I go for Oracle 10g OCA/OCP or 11g OCA/OCP Certification?

Hello All,

Choosing whether to go for Oracle 10g OCA/OCP or 11g OCA/OCP Certification is becoming complex to the Novice or Newbie DBAs. And also, I have seen a couple of posts asking such similar certification doubts more frequently in the OTN Forums, when they are not really sure or confused.

Well, this is ever been told by everyone that going for latest version certification is good and ideal. But, what I advise is, first go for Oracle 10g OCA and OCP, then upgrade to Oracle 11g OCP.

Following are my views on why to go for Oracle 10g OCA/OCP initially rather than 11g OCA/OCP directly.

• As we all know that newer version (11g) does include older version features plus new features and bug fixes of older version issues.
• Retirement date for Oracle 10g Certification has not yet been announced by Oracle. Moreover, Oracle Database 11g: Administration I (OCA) exam is only on production i.e. regular and Oracle Database 11g: Administration II (OCP) exam is not yet gone for Production i.e. still Beta Exam.
• Oracle Database 10g is still being used as Production for the business in all most all the organizations in the globe. But very less companies are using the Oracle Database 11g for their business, as Oracle 11g is still a base release 11.1.0.6 and yet to go for standard release 11g (11.2.X.X) shortly. This means that Oracle 11g is not fully deployed or used for Production purpose yet.
• Oracle Database 10g Release (10.2) still has Oracle primary and extended (Metalink) support for few more years from now, after that Oracle 10g will also be de-supported by Oracle.
• Both versioned (10g and 11g) certifications have two exams – Administration I (OCA) and Administration II (OCP). Each exam fees of them is $125 US i.e. there is no vary.
• It’s mandatory for the OCP candidates to undergo one approved course from the Approved list of Oracle University Courses for hands on course requirement. This applies to both Oracle 10g and 11g Certification takers.
• For Oracle 10g OCP Certification holders, there is only one exam 1Z0-050 - Oracle Database 11g: New Features for Administrators given to upgrade directly to the Oracle 11g OCP. No course or hands on course requirement form is to be submitted to achieve the Oracle 11g OCP (Upgrade) Certification.
• In this way, one will have both Oracle 10g and 11g Certifications in hand, and can show the same in their resume or CV. This also fulfills the requirement where the companies are looking for the candidates those are having enough experience with Oracle 10g and 11g, and holding multiple certifications in it.

One can go for direct Oracle 11g Certification under the following circumstances.

• If you are forced, by your company or manager, to undergo Oracle 11g Course and take Oracle 11g Certification Exams, for their specific requirement on Oracle Database 11g related projects.
• When there is no Oracle 10g course listed in the training institute in your city, instead only Oracle 11g Courses are available.
• When unable to afford to take Oracle 11g Upgrade exam.
• If my above views are not Okay with you -:)

Note: Folks, above are only my views, and need not to be the same with others. So, it’s left up you to decide whether to go for Oracle 10g OCA/OCP or 11g OCA/OCP Certification. For any information or doubts, then refer the Oracle Certification Program link and navigate yourself to the options to know more about Beta Exams, Retirements, List of Exams, Upgrade your Certification, Hands on Course Requirement etc.,

Your comments are welcomed if this article information helps you.

Regards,
Sabdar Syed,
http://sabdarsyed.blogspot.com

How to Get/Gain Real Time Experience/Exposure as a DBA!

Dear Blog Readers,

Every now and then I do receive e-mails from the novice DBAs saying that:

“We could not perform well at the interview, as the questions were too technically based on real time requirements”

“Due to not having real time experience, we failed at the interview to explain the steps/approach to resolve the issue asked”

…… and so on

When I asked them how they prepare and practice the DBA Activities, their response is as follows:

“We brought the Oracle DBA Books written by so and so authors for reference.”

“We only practiced the scenarios what was taught and given as drill in the training institute.”

“We installed the Oracle Software with starter database and get started practicing.”

…… and so on

Well, here are my opinions/suggestions/advices, to them those who are preparing and practicing as above, to gain the real time experience/exposure.

A lot of novice or junior DBAs are out there, who do not know that Oracle offers online documentations on Oracle Database Administration. Rather they simply purchase the available books in the market and get started preparing it. I would advice them to make a habit of reading the Oracle online documentations daily whenever they have time.

As far as I know, in the training institutes, the trainers will only cover the basic and required information up to some level, and discussed the scenarios which are common and basic. I suggest them to not to treat those scenarios as real time questions. The trainers will give you or left up to you to practice and do the drill at your own.

In my opinion, the real time issues are not different from the issues you face while practicing. i.e. fixing the ORA-Errors generated. My strong advice is not to create the database while installing the database, instead create the database manually with very minimal size of SGA and data files. Then, put more load i.e. Insert/Updates/Deletes and look forward for errors and the slowness of database, then fix them and tune the database accordingly. This will not be possible where you have a database with good size of SGA and enough size of data files.

As a real time requirement, install and set up the Oracle Server on Linux Operating System, this confidence will help you in stalling the same on any flavor of the Unix/Linux operating system i.e. Sun Solaris, IBM AIX, HP-UX, Red Hat, Fedora etc, All you need to know that the commands which are specific to OS during the installation.

Never just be satisfied by simply reading the solutions given over the web for such problem which are treated as real time scenarios, rather try to reproduce the problem in your database system, if you can, and do apply the different solutions for that issue.

Do not mug up the procedural steps of any major activity in the database i.e. Upgrade, Migration, Installation, etc.., Even though these are not regular tasks or not possible to do it in the practice systems, I still insist to feel the taste of doing such activities. I can say these are the real time scenarios asked in the interviews.

There are many a lot to say…but at the end what all I can say is…..

Instead of waiting for not having the proper resource to practice the database real time scenarios or activities, at least try to search over the web to get to know what are other real time scenarios, I would strongly advice one to make a habit of regularly visiting OTN Database General Forums, where all kind of basic, advanced, real time, scenarios are questioned and answered by top experts with different and different solutions.

Forum: Database - General

Another good habit is referring the good Oracle Related Blogs to know how they resolved the issues, how they implement the things in their organization with their experience.

List of Oracle-related blogs

Do not forget to read and download this great document "Grow That DBA Career"

Note: Above suggestions are only my views and need not to be the same with others. Whoever have the information of real time ideas/tips and wanted share with the blog readers, they are free allowed to comment directly in the comments section of this blog post. I will also keep update this post with more and more real time experience ideas and tips.

Update: Take a look at the Mr.TOM comment in the comment section below, where he has given his own views on real time tips further to this blog post. Thanks to TOM for adding his views to this post.

Happy Reading !!!

Regards,
Sabdar Syed,
http://sabdarsyed.blogspot.com/

From where can I download the Oracle OCP logo?

Various types of OCP Logos are used in many of Oracle related Blogs with different styles and colors; it means that, without knowing the registered OCP Logo by Oracle, simply customized OCP logos, with their own styles and colors, are being used.

The people, those who are using different logos apart from registered and suggested, are searching and downloading from the Google Images for readymade logo and using them.

Click here for Google Images for Oracle OCP Logo

If anybody wants to make use of OCP logo on their blogs or resumes, I would suggest them to download and use the registered OCP logo, which is suggested by Oracle.
Here is how one can download the Oracle OCP Logo.

* Everyone will receive the Oracle Certification Success/Welcome kit upon competition of all the Oracle Certified Professional Exams (OCP).

* In the Welcome/Success Kit, you will find a letter of congratulation by Oracle on completing and becoming an Oracle Certified Professional, and an Oracle Certificate on your name, and the OCP Membership card.

* You will be given the special credentials (User ID and Password) to access the Oracle Certified Professional Members Website.

* The URL for OCP Members Website will be in the letter of congratulation or in the Membership Card.

* You may need to download the OCP logo using your credentials given by accessing the OCP Members website.

* You will find more useful information from the member’s website, its self explanatory; you can explore and navigate the options by yourself.

Note:

* If you forgot your username and password, then you can contact ocpexam_ww@oracle.com an provide your prometric ID, email address and credential and they will provide you with the username and password to receive the OCA logo.
* Don’t share the credentials to access the OCP Members website to Non-OCP Candidates.

Here is a nice document on OCP Guidelines and following are the contents of it.

* Education Certification Logos
* Education Certification Logos Logo Elements and Proportions
* Education Certification Logos Clear Space
* Education Certification Logos Minimum Size
* Education Certification Logos Color Usage
* Education Certification Logos Background Control

http://www.oracle.com/education/downloads/ocplogoguidelines.pdf

Oracle Certified Professional Members Website.

Oracle 8i/9i OCP:
http://www.oracle.com/education/ocp

Oracle 10g OCP:
http://www.oracle.com/education/10ggocp

Oracle 11i Apps OCP:
http://www.oracle.com/education/ebusocp

Or For all:

http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=137

Regards,
Sabdar Syed,
http://sabdarsyed.blogspot.com/

The books, guides, and materials used for my OCA/OCP/OCE Exam Preparation.

Dear All,

As I’m an Oracle Certified Professional on multiple tracks i.e. Oracle Database 10g/9i/8i, Oracle Database 10g RAC Expert Certified, and Oracle 11i E-Business Suite (Application) DBA. So, I have been asked many times in the OTN Forums and by the emails from my blog viewers that "How do you prepare for the certification exams?" And "what advice/tips/suggestions do you have for the certification candidates?"

Even if I have answered to those questions many times, this time, I wanted to have my advice/tips/suggestions posted in my blog for the certification candidates.

01) In addition to any available book in the market for OCA/OCP preparation, I would strongly advice and suggest using Oracle Student Guides/Oracle ILT Materials for your OCA/OCP preparation.

02) Most of the theoretical and logical questions in the real exam are asked from these guides/materials concepts or chapters.

03) These student guides are more simplified and very easy to understand, and have very précised and handy information.

04) The information or concepts of Oracle Student Guides/Oracle ILT Materials have been abstracted, prepared, and developed using the bunch of Oracle Documentations.

05) For writing Oracle Certification Exams, it's very hard to prepare the whole repository of Oracle Documentations. That's why; Oracle University prepared the précised and concise Student Guides/ITL Materials.

06) After finishing thoroughly reading these guides, as many times as you can, till you get the concepts from this materials, the next step is preparing the practice exams, before you take up the real exam.

07) In my opinion and my experience in writing OCP Exams, the practice exams of Self Test Software and Transcender are highly recommended for preparing the OCA/OCP/OCE Exams.

08) This will give you the similar look and feel, and the pattern of the real exam, and helps you manage in real exam.

09) All most of all the practice questions from these test engines (Self Test Software and Transcender) are developed and derived from Oracle Student Guides/Oracle ILT Materials Concepts.

10) Never mug up the practice exam questions and answers, instead try understanding the question and the answer, if needed for any syntax or command sort of questions, do the paper work i.e write the question, syntax or command, and answers in the paper to remember and understand.

11) Concisely what I would suggest is, read the Oracle Student Guides/ILT Materials meticulously as much as you can and do more practice the questions of the test engines (Self Test Software and Transcender) for your Oracle Certification Exam Preparation.

What are the Student Guides/ILT (Instructor Led Training) Materials?
Click here to know about the Student Guides/ILT (Instructor Led Training) Materials

What are the Self Test Software and Transcended Test engines?
Self Test Software and Transcended

For any suggestions, tips, experience of Others on OCA/OCP/OCE, please take a look in the below blog URL.
ORACLE CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS

And also search in OTN Forums for more questions and answers on Certification doubts/questions.
Oracle Certification Forum

One stop for all your Oracle Certification Program Details.
Oracle Certification Program

Oracle Certifiction Program Candidate Guide

OCP 10g Candidate Guide

Oracle Magazine Inside OCP Columns

List of Topics on OCP Exams

Oracle Certification Preparation (OCP)/Hidden Treasures

OCP Hidden Treasures!!!

How important is to an Oracle Certification?

Happy reading !! and best of luck for your Certification Exams !!

Any comments or suggestions are always welcomed.

Regards,
Sabdar Syed,
http://sabdarsyed.blogspot.com/

Q&A Session with me in Oracle Certification Professionals' blog

Dear All,

The Editor of 'Oracle Certification Professionals' blog - http://ebizocp.blogspot.com/ , had a Questions & Answers Session with me and published in his blogspot.

The series of Questions asked as below.

Q#1: Hi Sabdar, on behalf of the OCP blog readers we are delighted to have you today as our featured Oracle Expert. Please tell us something about you, your background and professional experience.

Q#2: New Oracle technologies are being introduced every year. Which technologies excite you most? What is your advice to Oracle professionals for adopting them?

Q#3: You are an Oracle Certified Professional on multiple tracks. How do you prepare for the certification exams?

Q#4: You are a very active member on the Oracle Technology Network Certification forum. Do you think certification plays an important role in the Oracle community? What advice/tips/suggestions do you have for the certification candidates?

Q#5: Your blog is one of the most popular Oracle blogs. Please tell our blog readers what topics do you discuss on your blog?

Q#6: Can you please let us know one habit that has contributed most to your professional success?

Take a look at the below URL where I had already answered to the Questions asked above.

Meet The Experts: Featuring OCP Sabdar Syed

Leave your comments please.

Regards,
Sabdar Syed,
http://sabdarsyed.blogspot.com/

Grow That DBA Career

Hi Friends,

Today I have come across a good document called "Grow That DBA Career" written and published by Brian Peasland. This document has good details about the following Questions.

• Should I Become a DBA?
• How do I get that first DBA job?
• I just got my first job! now what?
• How do I go from a beginner DBA to an intermediate DBA?
• How do I go from an intermediate to a senior DBA?

If any one is interested to download this document, the use the below link.

http://www.peasland.net/Grow%20That%20DBA%20Career.zip

Leave me your comments if this document clears your DBA Career Doubts.

Regards,

Sabdar Syed,

http://sabdarsyed.blogspot.com