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

Download Oracle 11g New Features PDF.

Dear Blog viewers,

Today, when I'm giving answers to in OTN forums, I came across a link for Oracle 11g New Features Document, prepared by Ahmed Baraka.

Below is the link for downloading Oracle 11g New Features pdf.

Oracle 11g New Features for Administrators !

Few more documents available in his website.

Ahmed's Other Documents

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

Preparing for RAC & Oracle Database 11g Upgrade Exams.!

Friends,

I'm now preparing for Oracle RAC 10g (1Z0-048) and Oracle Database 11g (1Z0-050) Exams. For this I'm preparing Oracle Documentations.

If anybody wants to share their valuable experience/suggestions/materials/student guides (ILT) on these exams, kindly send me.

Thanks in advance to all !.

Regards,
Sabdar Syed.

Oracle Database 11g R1 Software available for all OS's

Hello All,

Oracle Database 11g Release 1 (11.1.0.6.0)
Standard Edition, Standard Edition One, and Enterprise Edition is now available to download and install on all Operating Systems i.e. Windows, Linux, Solaris, AIX, and HP – UX.

Please go through the following link to download the software.

http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/index.html

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

Oracle Database 11g New Features for Administrators (1Z1 - 050 Beta Exam)

Dear friends,

The Beta Exam on Oracle Database 11g New Features for Administrators is now available.

Exam Number: 1Z1-050 ( Beta Exam )
Exam Registration: Pre-registration begins September 29, 2007.Beta Exam available November 1 – December 15, 2007
Exam Price: Beta Exam $50 US
Duration: 190 minutes
Number of Questions: 180-220
Passing Score: TBD
Candidates will receive a beta exam score report approximately 10 weeks after the close of the Beta Exam.

For more information on training, preparation, exam topics and other information, please take a look at the below URL.

http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=41&p_org_id=1001&lang=US&p_exam_id=1Z0_050

Preparation Books/Documents:

http://www.amazon.com/OCP-Oracle-Database-11g-Administrators/dp/0071496823

http://www.amazon.com/Oracle-Database-11g-New-Features/dp/0071496610/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_0/102-4078405-8004159

*** When you take this exam, please share your experience with this exam in this blog as comments ***

Thanks & Regards,
Sabdar Syed,

http://sabdarsyed.blogspot.com

Installation of Oracle 11g on Linux (Red Hat Enterprise Linux – 4)

Dear Friends,

As we all aware that Oracle 11g is now available for installing on Linux. Yesterday, I installed & configured the Oracle 11gR1 (11.1.0) and created the database on Linux (Red Hat Enterprise Linux – 4.0) successfully. I would like to share the steps with my blog viewers what I have followed to install it.

Operating System Details:
Linux – (Red Had Enterprise Linux – 4.0)

Database Version Details:
Oracle 11g Release 1 (11.1.0)

Download Software: (linux_11gR1_database.zip)
http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/index.html

Pre-Installation Tasks:

* Prepare the stage area for Oracle Software on the Serve
----- Choose the mount point where software needs to be staged.
/u01

----- Create the stage directories and change the ownership and permissions.
Su – root
Password: xxxxx ( Enter your root password Here)
# mkdir –p /u01/11gStage
# chown –R oracle:dba /u01/11gStage
# chmod –R 755 /u01/11gStage

----- Copy the software in the stage area
ftp the downloaded Oracle 11g software in this stage area and change the ownership and permissions.
$ cd /u01/11gStage
$ chown oracle:dba linux_11gR1_database.zip
$ chmod 755 linux_11gR1_database.zip

* Performing the pre-installation tasks
----- Check the size of physical RAM
$ grep MemTotal /proc/meminfo
Note: During the installation it will say failed when it checks the available physical RAM is less than 900 MB , no problem even if you have less than 900MB (if it’s for testing purpose), you can continue with the installation.

----- Check the size of SWAP space
$ grep SwapTotal /proc/meminfo

----- Check the free disk space in “/tmp” directory
$ df -k /tmp

----- Check the free space available on the system
$ df –k

* Checking the Software Requirements
----- The version of Linux is installed
$ uname –a

----- Check the following required packages are installed.
binutils-2.15.92.0.2-18
compat-libstdc++-33.2.3-47.3
elfutils-libelf-0.97-5
elfutils-libelf-devel-0.97-5
glibc-2.3.9.4-2.19
glibc-common-2.3.9.4-2.19
glibc-devel-2.3.9.4-2.19
gcc-3.4.5-2
gcc-c++-3.4.5-2
libaio-devel-0.3.105-2
libaio-0.3.105-2
libgcc-3.4.5
libstdc++-3.4.5-2
libstdc++-devel-3.4.5-2
make-3.80-5
sysstat-5.0.5
unixODBC-2.2.11
unixODBC-devel-2.2.11

----- To check RPMS are installed or not.
Login as ROOT user
# rpm –q libaio-devel-0.3.105-2
# rpm –q unixODBC-devel-2.2.11
……………………………
……………………………
Like this check for all the above RPMS.

----- Install the missing packages or rpms.
First download the missing RPMS from the relavent Linux websites, or if you have the CDs with you, used during the Linux Installation, you can use them to find the missing rpms from that.

----- To install or upgrade RPMS are installed or not.
Login as the ROOT user
# rpm –ivh unixODBC-devel-2.2.11.3-1.i386.rpm
Or
# rpm –Uvh unixODBC-devel-2.2.11.3-1.i386.rpm

* Creating Required Operating System Groups and Users
----- Check and create DBA group
Su – root
Password: xxxxx ( Enter your root password Here)
# cat /etc/group|grep dba
# /usr/sbin/groupadd dba

----- Check and create ORACLE user and assign dba group.
# cat /etc/passwd|grep oracle
# /usr/sbin/useradd –d “/home/oracle” –m –g dba –c “Oracle 11g Owner” oracle

----- Set the password of the ORACLE user
# passwd oracle

* Create Required Directories
----- The Oracle Base Directory and Oracle Home Directories
Su – root
Password: xxxxxx (Enter the password for root here)
# mkdir –p /u01/app/oracle/product/11.0.1
# mkdir –p /u02/oradata

----- Chang the owner and group of the directories
# chown –R oracle:dba /u01/app/oracle/product/11.0.1
# chown –R oracle:dba /u02/oradata

----- Change the permissions of the directories
# chmod –R 755 /u01/app/oracle/product/11.0.1
# chmod –R 755 /u02/oradata

* Configuring Kernel Parameters
----- Check the current parameters and values in /etc/sysctl.conf
# cat /etc/sysctl.conf
Note: Take a back up of this file before changing the values and parameters.
# cp –p /etc/sysctl.conf /etc/sysctl.conf.old

----- Check and add the below parameters in /etc/sysctl.conf
fs.file-max = 76800
kernel.shmall = 2097152
kernel.shmmax = 2147483648
kernel.shmmni = 4096
kernel.sem = 250 32000 100 128
net.ipv4.ip_local_port_range = 1024 65000
net.core.rmem_default = 4194304
net.core.rmem_max = 4194304
net.core.wmem_default = 262144
net.core.wmem_max = 262144

----- To change the current values of the kernel parameters
# /sbin/sysctl -p

----- Make sure that the parameters and values in /etc/system file are set properly
# cat /etc/sysctl.conf

----- Check and set the following lines in the /etc/security/limits.conf file.
Note: Take a back up of this file before changing the values and parameters.
# cp –p /etc/security/limits.conf /etc/security/limits.conf.old

oracle soft nproc 2047
oracle hard nproc 16384
oracle soft nofile 1024
oracle hard nofile 65536

----- Add or edit the following line in the /etc/pam.d/login file, if it does not already exist
Note: Take a back up of this file before changing the values and parameters.
# cp –p /etc/pam.d/login /etc/pam.d/login .old

session required /lib/security/pam_limits.so
session required pam_limits.so

* Configuring the Oracle User’s Environment
----- Check and change the contents of .profile or .lgoin files.
$ vi .bash_profile

----- Remove the oracle environment variables set already.

----- Check the DISPLAY variable is set, if not, then set the variable.
$ echo $DISPLAY
$ DISPLAY=:0.0
$ export DISPLAY
Su – root
Password: xxxx ( Enter the root password here)
# xhost +

----- Make sure that xclock command is running
$ xlcok

Installation of Oracle Software:

* Login as oracle on the server
Su – oracle
Password: xxxxx (Oracle user password)

* Go the directory where Oracle software is staged.
$ cd /u01/11gStage

* Unzip the software file
$ unzip linux_11gR1_database.zip

* Run/Launch the runinstaller
$ cd /u02/11gStage/database
$./.runInstaller

* Answer to the subsequent wizards or screens options with the proper information

Note: Fore more instructions one creating the database using DBCA tool or Manual method, please refer my blog link for the same.

http://sabdarsyed.blogspot.com/2007/08/dear-friends-following-are-general.html

Conclusion: I have followed the above series of steps for installing on one of Linux boxes. I would request and suggest them to go through the referenced links below, who are willing to do this with other options during the installation and as per their requirement.

References:

Oracle Database Installation Guide 11g Release 1 (11.1) for Linux

http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B28359_01/install.111/b32002/pre_install.htm#CHDHFGBJ

Installing Oracle Database 11g on Linux

http://www.oracle.com/technology/obe/11gr1_db/install/dbinst/dbinst.htm

Oracle 11g Documentations

http://www.oracle.com/pls/db111/homepage

Others:

http://www.datasoftech.com/library.html

****** Your suggestions and comments are welcomed. ******

-----

With Best Regards,

Sabdar Syed,

http://sabdarsyed.blogspot.com

Oracle Database 11g is now ready for download !!!

Dear friends,

May be this is a delayed information to you that the Oracle Database 11g is now ready for download. But I wanna share this information with my blog viewers

To download 11g Software:

http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/index.html

To download 11g Documentations:

http://www.oracle.com/technology/documentation/database.html

Regards,

Sabdar Syed,

http://sabdarsyed.blogspot.com

Oracle Database 11g Whitepapers and Data Sheets are available on OTN.

Dear friends,

There are many whitepapers and data sheets on Oracle Database 11g.

Oracle has published many whitepapers and data sheets on Oracle Database 11g. These are available in OTN, below is an URL for the same.

http://www.oracle.com/technology/products/database/oracle11g/index.html

Best Regards,

Sabdar Syed,

http://sabdarsyed.blogspot.com/