New to Oracle DBA

Recently I've been thrust (kicking and screaming) into a role of DBA. My supervisor has put me through the Oracle Sys Admin Workshops I&II, but that is a starting point; it seemed that many of the features that were touched upon are not being used in our environment (ASM,AMM,RMAN,EM) which makes my life less fun!
My job now is to monitor the database for any performance issues, proactive failure avoidance, backup and restore (the BU/R is handled by NetBackup/BCV with Symmetrix disk mirroring between).
I've been a systems administrator for many years, and I've been able to script a few health checks outside of the DB; at the OS level. I am beginning to look into some of the v$ views that allow me to see what is happening in our system.
I have a couple of generalized questions I'd like to pose (if I need a seperate thread for each question let me know and I'll repost):
1. How do I determine what features are being used by the database (outside of the features mentioned earlier)?
2. What should I be monitoring on a <interval> basis (hourly, daily, monthly)?
3. What should I be looking for when I monitor? (right now i look at the alert log every day for "ORA-" entries and send alerts...)
I'm sure I'll have many many more questions, but these are the ones I have on my mind at the current time.
I apologize for the generality of my questions, I'm sure we'll get more granular as the discussion continues.
We are running the following:
Oracle 11gR2 in HA mode (Veritas clustering NOT oracle clustering or grid control) running on Solaris 10...
Thanks in advance for helping me understand this complex beast!

975181 wrote:
Recently I've been thrust (kicking and screaming) into a role of DBA. My supervisor has put me through the Oracle Sys Admin Workshops I&II, but that is a starting point; it seemed that many of the features that were touched upon are not being used in our environment (ASM,AMM,RMAN,EM) which makes my life less fun!
My job now is to monitor the database for any performance issues, proactive failure avoidance, backup and restore (the BU/R is handled by NetBackup/BCV with Symmetrix disk mirroring between).Modern Oracle is pretty tame, most performance problems wind up being application issues. Avoid "best practices" and people with prescriptive remedies. When you do have a problem, you need to solve that problem, not start twiddling knobs. There is plenty of instrumentation, though some things can get pretty dense for newbies.
>
I've been a systems administrator for many years, and I've been able to script a few health checks outside of the DB; at the OS level. I am beginning to look into some of the v$ views that allow me to see what is happening in our system.
I have a couple of generalized questions I'd like to pose (if I need a seperate thread for each question let me know and I'll repost):Normally one question at a time gets more answers, but some of us will do a list anyways. One thing you will learn as a DBA is you have to change focus rapidly between qualitatively diverse subjects. That is an extreme understatement.
1. How do I determine what features are being used by the database (outside of the features mentioned earlier)?There is a table called DBA_FEATURE_USAGE_STATISTICS that tracks some things. Also, when you log into sqlplus, you get a list of some options. This winds up being quite a complex subject, as there are some features the db uses internallly that you are not allowed to use unless they are licensed. As a DBA you are expected to not even access the tables or views, and to turn off access through dbconsole/enterprise manager (dbconsole is a single db enterprise manager included as a default. Enterprise manager is often used as a synonym for the db part of grid. Explanations may vary) . You are also expected to know that these things can get silently turned back on when you patch. Oracle has a feature called OCM, which helpfully tries to tell support about your system, if not unconfigured.
Learn to use the docs to search for things like DBA_FEATURE_USAGE_STATISTICS. Yes, it is hard to search for things you don't know what they are called.
2. What should I be monitoring on a <interval> basis (hourly, daily, monthly)?Remember to post the exact version of Oracle when posting here. The version would look like 11.2.0.3. So, it depends, and it depends if you are using grid control. The default dbconsole has some decent notifications. The details of what to monitor are site dependent and should be explicit. Some place send some alerts out at 3AM to your cell phone, others think it is good enough to send you an email for when the first person on the team gets in. You have to watch out for the former if you are the sole dba, you can get run ragged without some pushback against management that has a funny idea of uptime requirements. Some places people are afraid to say boo even if there is something wrong, so you do have to watch things. If you can get licensing, the top activity screen in dbconsole/em is real nice for just leaving it up on your screen.
In the past, you had a whole list of things to watch for, nowadays it's easy to have sufficient space and just get to know your system, how much cpu and i/o in pretty little graphs is normal. In most places you learn pretty quick what makes the phone ring.
But the first rule is "don't lose data." That means, fully understand how to backup and how to restore in your sleep, for various scenarios.
3. What should I be looking for when I monitor? (right now i look at the alert log every day for "ORA-" entries and send alerts...)Yes, you need to know what they mean.
>
I'm sure I'll have many many more questions, but these are the ones I have on my mind at the current time.
I apologize for the generality of my questions, I'm sure we'll get more granular as the discussion continues.
We are running the following:
Oracle 11gR2 in HA mode (Veritas clustering NOT oracle clustering or grid control) running on Solaris 10...
Thanks in advance for helping me understand this complex beast!Welcome to our world! You will see there can be some stylistic variance in how people administer. The modern training pushes people to be "DBA 2.0," a fancy way of saying to be slaves to the GUI's. That's only useful up to a point, you do have to have someone around who is willing to dive into the command line and understand what is really going on. People here really want to help, follow the "ask smart questions faq" and the various faqs here. There are some real gurus here (not just in badges), as well as a vast following 24 hours.
A note about googling: There is a lot of good information on the web. There is also a lot of bad advice. Use a critical eye, even here and in the docs. So, learn to deal with the docs, learn to search before asking, give all requested information when posting even if it seems oddly requested. Remember, we can't see what you do, people may jump to wrong conclusions if you don't cut and paste to show exactly what you did and the response. Many here have been doing this a long time and can ask to see information to answer the question you didn't know to ask.

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Need help in shutdown primary for maintaince (new to oracle dba)

Hi,
BANNER
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CORE 9.2.0.3.0 Production
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actually we have primary database server and the physical standby server with protection mode is maxperformance and for maintaince we need to shutdown primary server so what are the steps i need to follow since my primary database is configured with DATAGAURD and i would like to follow the folllowing steps please advice me:
to shutdown standby server:
from primary server connecting to dgmgrl
dgmgrl>DISABLE SITE standby_site1;
then connecting to standby server
sql>alter database recover managed standby database cancel;
sql>shu immediate;
and finnaly connecting to primary server
sql>shu immediate
is it right since i am new to datagaurd concept need help.
Regards
Prakash

You can do so, but you would shutdown the whole standby environment. But normally standby is used to have no or only short downtime. So a switchover to the standby DB is performed (after this standby is now running as primary), maintenance is done on the primary and then at the end another switchover back from the 'new' primary to the 'old' primary.
Werner

Good book for oracle dba

hi experts,
I am new to oracle dba field. Can you please suggest methe name of a good book.
Regards
Rajat

Maybe the best thing would be a course? Books are fine, but you will probably learn quicker by example. There are some reasonable CD-ROM/DVD courses out there (not naming any). Google for some and check their rating. I know of no single book that would offer as much as a decent course. Once you are up to speed, then, yes, you'll be seeking out the better books. Finally, the 2-day guides in Oracle's docs. are really worth reading, and re-reading. But the docs, by themselves, are a bit dry. If you can afford an Oracle University course, or (my preference) Learning Tree (and, no, I do not work for them, etc.), then go for that - you won't regret it.
All IMHO!
Regards - Don Lewis,

DBAShell - New Open Source Project for Oracle DBA's

I'd like to have this project included in the Open Source Oracle tools list at: http://www.oracle.com/technology/community/opensource_projects.html
I've been an Oracle DBA for quite some time (since 7.0.13) and a developer for many years. One of the things I've always wished for was an easier way to set up environment variables for different Oracle Homes and a way to provide passwords to scripts without embedding them in plain-view.
About 3 years ago, I started a set of functions and scripts at my company that did exactly just that and provided many more functions for things like checking database status, running scripts quietly unless errors are detected, running actions in parallel (like fast shutdowns at once, or multiple analyzes), restarting databases in a guaranteed fashion, aliases to common folder locations, etc..
About a month ago, after putting all this time and effort into these scripts and using them in production all this time, I realized I wanted more out of the scripts like support for other databases and thought that it would be best if I gave it new life as an Open Source project.
So that is how http://sourceforge.net/projects/dbashell/ was started. Now its in a second release (DBAShell 0.85) that is more modular and would allow other people to easily add support for other OSs, other Shells, and other Databases.
Here is a description of the project from the latest news item:
DBAShell is a project based around Shell functions and scripts designed to make it easy for DBA's to use Databases in a command line environment. Currently supported is Oracle with ksh and bash on AIX, Solaris, Linux. The code base itself is 3 years old and has been in use in Production environments all of that time.
Features include:
* Automatic setting of all environment variables based on SID requested.
* Manage PATH's and other path like variables for each ORACLE_HOME needed.
* Run scripts with stored passwords (no more hard-coding of passwords!!)
* Automatically set SID based on Script location (makes it easier to share scripts between SID's)
* manage temporary script output and check for oracle errors in output
* check database status and versions from scripts
* stop/start databases in parallel (faster startup)
* compile all database objects
* analyze objects in parallel (Faster analyzes)
* set aliases and variables for common SID areas, etc..
* many helpful commands for common Oracle tasks
Over a thousand people have already downloaded the prior release and more are downloading every hour.
I'm seeking feedback from anybody that would be willing to take a look at the project, trying it out, give me any feedback you have on it, and perhaps even direct me to where I could best promote this project.
I wrote a tutorial that shows at a glance some of the more useful features of DBAShell:
http://sourceforge.net/docman/display_doc.php?docid=34041&group_id=170224
Main site:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dbashell/
Documentation: http://sourceforge.net/docman/display_doc.php?docid=33704&group_id=170224
Download:
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/dbashell/dbashell-0.85.tar.gz?download

Always glad to have people thinking about the poor DBA's. Usually, the developers get most of the attention in open source.

Can not insert a row to a table from Oracle DBA Studio

Hi,
I try to use the Oracle DBA Studio to create a table and put some test data in it. Here is what I found:
I start Oracle DBA Studio on the client machine by connecting to an Oracle server 8i (8.1.7). I create a simple table called Test with two columns: one is USER, VARCHAR2, 10; and the other is USER2, CHAR, 2. After that, I right click on the table name and select "Table Data Editor" from the popup menu. The table editor window shows up. I type in the value 'AA' and 'BB' in the grid of two columns. Then I click the Apply button. An error message box popped up:
ORA-00928 missing SELECT keyword.
I click Show SQL button. The SQL statement is as following:
INSERT INTO "TASYS"."TEST" (USER ,USER2 ) VALUES ('AA' ,'BB').
I copy the statement to SQL Plus and run it. The same error is generated. But if I remove (USER, USER2) from the statement, it inserts a row without complaint. In other word, the database will not allow to insert if individual columns are list. I realize something must wrong with the new server and client installed and could not figure out what happening. Hope someone can help.
Thanks.
null

I am not sure, but could it be that USER is a keyword or predefine word. Check Oracle'slist of predefine/keyword

DBAShell - Open Source project for Oracle DBA's

Ive been an Oracle DBA for quite some time (since 7.0.13) and a developer for many years. One of the things Ive always wished for was an easier way to set up environment variables for different Oracle Homes and a way to provide passwords to scripts without embedding them in plain-view.
About 3 years ago, I started a set of functions and scripts at my company that did exactly just that and provided many more functions for things like checking database status, running scripts quietly unless errors are detected, running actions in parallel (like fast shutdowns at once, or multiple analyzes), restarting databases in a guaranteed fashion, aliases to common folder locations, etc..
About a month ago, after putting all this time and effort into these scripts and using them in production all this time, I realized I wanted more out of the scripts like support for other databases and thought that it would be best if I gave it new life as an Open Source project.
So that is how http://sourceforge.net/projects/dbashell/ was started. Now its in a second release (DBAShell 0.85) that is more modular and would allow other people to easily add support for other OSs, other Shells, and other Databases.
Here is a description of the project from the latest news item:
DBAShell is a project based around Shell functions and scripts designed to make it easy for DBA's to use Databases in a command line environment. Currently supported is Oracle with ksh and bash on AIX, Solaris, Linux. The code base itself is 3 years old and has been in use in Production environments all of that time.
Features include:
* Automatic setting of all environment variables based on SID requested.
* Manage PATH's and other path like variables for each ORACLE_HOME needed.
* Run scripts with stored passwords (no more hard-coding of passwords!!)
* Automatically set SID based on Script location (makes it easier to share scripts between SID's)
* manage temporary script output and check for oracle errors in output
* check database status and versions from scripts
* stop/start databases in parallel (faster startup)
* compile all database objects
* analyze objects in parallel (Faster analyzes)
* set aliases and variables for common SID areas, etc..
* many helpful commands for common Oracle tasks
Over a thousand people have already downloaded the prior release and more are downloading every hour.
I'm seeking feedback from anybody that would be willing to take a look at the project, trying it out, give me any feedback you have on it, and perhaps even direct me to where I could best promote this project.
I wrote a tutorial that shows at a glance some of the more useful features of DBAShell:
http://sourceforge.net/docman/display_doc.php?docid=34041&group_id=170224
Main site:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dbashell/
Documentation: http://sourceforge.net/docman/display_doc.php?docid=33704&group_id=170224
Download:
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/dbashell/dbashell-0.85.tar.gz?download

Always glad to have people thinking about the poor DBA's. Usually, the developers get most of the attention in open source.

Are the oracle DBa's seeing an end to their career

It's been 2-3 years i am working as an oracle dba in a mid range shop and i was pretty happy with it. After having the satisfaction , I was always worried about the future of an oracle dba. I always heard sql server and db2 are much much better than oracle as they are less complex to administration and their cost is less. Though the oracle people would talk about performance and scalability but with the recent releases , those db have overcome those problems. The problems for oracle dba are coming from several ways:
1.Companies are shifting for sql server or db2 as for low cost and low required of man power.
2.Oracle itself becoming automated.
3. Company like IBM offering main frame solution with free db2 database for the entire data center.
4.With the concept of Cloud computing storage would be third party location , where few employee can take the responsibility.
And..many moreeee...
It gives me a COLD feelings what would i be doing in 3-5 years from now and how could a dba would evolve himself with the change??? I hope this time i am not right.. all the points that i showed is wrong...
Regards,

user11181920 wrote:
In next N years ultimately everything in RDBMS will be automated.
This is a common trend and Oracle is leading flagship in it.
Ultimate goal, as I see, is to eliminate DBA, minimizing cost of ownership.
This will attract business to such products - self-managed software.
I do not see it to happen tomorrow, though. But it is going there.
Yeah, well 30 years ago the experts were predicting the end of the need for programmers (the old term for 'developers'). "End User Computing" would put the power in the hands of the business users and eliminate the entire IT department. No I'm not exaggerating. That was the prediction. And people like you were insisting it would come to pass.
You don't even have to go that far. Look at the predictions for the 'paperless office' . . .
Many here will argue with me, but look of the definition of DBA
http://sqldbpool.com/2008/12/22/dba-roles-and-responsibilities/
>
DBA Responsibilities
Installation, configuration and upgrading of Microsoft SQL Server/MySQL/Oracle server software and related products.
Evaluate MSSQL/MySQL/Oracle features and MSSQL/MySQL/Oracle related products.
Establish and maintain sound backup and recovery policies and procedures.
Take care of the Database design and implementation.
Implement and maintain database security (create and maintain users and roles, assign privileges).
Database tuning and performance monitoring.
Application tuning and performance monitoring.
Setup and maintain documentation and standards.
Plan growth and changes (capacity planning).
Work as part of a team and provide 7×24 supports when required.
Do general technical trouble shooting and give consultation to development teams.
Interface with MSSQL/MySQL/Oracle for technical support.
ITIL Skill set requirement (Problem Management/Incident Management/Chain Management etc)
>
Well, that's ONE "definition" of a DBA. It's far from "the" definition.
I'll tell you what. I've actually sat on committees that drew up lists like that. I can tell you first hand that while a lot of things on the list may look legit, there is also a lot of pressure just to fill up the list with as many things as possible in order to justify head count to the bean counters. You could just as well add 'weekly cleaning of the left-hand smoke shifter.'
Then lets look at them one by one:
Installation, configuration and upgrading of Microsoft SQL Server/MySQL/Oracle server software and related products.How often Installation happens? Once for one new app. Usually app vendors have recommendations that DBA should follow. So, what is DBA's role here? Start installer and to follow.
Configuration and upgrading will be more and more automated.
Except the app vendor left out critical details they didn't think were critical because they don't understand the database. Or have bogus 'requirements' because they don't understand the database. Or their recommendations were based on how they did it in their pristine development lab and they never even knew about critical dependencies that might not exist outside of their lab.
Week before last I spent 50 hours working on installing a new database based on the app vendor's specifications ....
Evaluate MSSQL/MySQL/Oracle features and MSSQL/MySQL/Oracle related products.Again, how often? When new App is about to be created and designers need to choose which DB they will need.
And then they proceed to develop on rdbms-A using best practices they learned from rdbms-B -- which turn out to be worst practices on rdbms-A. And only when they go live do they discover that their design doesn't scale because they tried to re-invent (poorly) functionality built into the database.
Establish and maintain sound backup and recovery policies and procedures.Again, how often yo need to establish policies and procedures? Every time you put in a new app with a different SLA.
Backup itself is 100% automated already today. Only if you buy off on the lowest common denominator.
Recovery is close to 100%.Oh? Go spend some time in the RMAN forum ...
And even if it were close to 100%, 'close' only counts "when playing horseshoes or hand grenades."
Most of enterprise backup software support backup and recovery of major RDBMSs.
Just specify a date "from" and click Go.
A little bit complex with RMAN. You have to type(!) RESTORE DATABASE; RECOVER...
Until the cause of failure was something the automation didn't anticipate. Or you then discover that your 100% automated-out-of-the-box backup didn't work the way thought it did. Oh, it 'worked' all right. Just not the way you thought it did.
Take care of the Database design and implementation.Where? Only in development shops.
Depends on what you mean by 'database design and implementation'. And most companies have some sort of development, even if they don't recognize it or call it that.
Implement and maintain database security (create and maintain users and roles, assign privileges).Centralized enterprise security (Domain etc) are in use. Many apps have their security and use basic RDMS security to login App running user.
Until such time as "nothing changed" but "I can't connect to my database".
Database tuning and performance monitoring.Greatly automated. Ultimately will be 100% automated.
Until it's not. See my comment above about developers.
Application tuning and performance monitoring.There are enterprise solutions for monitoring. Also Oracle has Grid Control.
Application tuning can be done by app vendors.I've NEVER met an app vendor that knew **** about how their app impacted performance. 100% of them throw it back on the DBA. I had an app vendor tell me that Oracle was incapable of sustaining more than five concurrent connections.
DBA cannot tune App itself. It may only modify some things in DB that will perform better. And this will be automated.
No, because the database cannot anticipate what stupid things the vendor may do. And it can only work with what it is given.
Setup and maintain documentation and standards.How often?
As often as anything that is documented, changes. As often as it is discovered that something that should be documented, isnt'
Plan growth and changes (capacity planning).Well, DBA should do it. But, again, how often?Should be almost constantly. Given budget cycles, you can't wait until your disk is 98% full before asking to buy more.
>
Work as part of a team and provide 7×24 supports when required.Where such 7×24 support policy exists.Look at my comments above about how these lists get created in the first place.
I can tell you from experience that such 24x7 policies are more common than you seem to think. Just about any financial processing business, logistics and transportation business, telecom business ...
And what from above should be supported during a night by a human?
I see just a restore/recover DB, because a human should make a decision "From which Date".
Do general technical trouble shooting and give consultation to development teams.Yes, in Dev shops. Most of shops are not development shops, though may do custom and ad-hoc reporting and small app development. Do they need a dedicated DBA for this? I doubt. Either a developer will be (self)trained to do some DBA's tasks or DBA will become a SQL developer in that team.
Interface with MSSQL/MySQL/Oracle for technical support.Oh yeah... :)
ITIL Skill set requirement (Problem Management/Incident Management/Chain Sure, two days of training to know basics of ITIL to understand what manager of Helpdesk (Support and Incident Management Team) is talking about.
So, I see DBA should go in of 3 directions:
1. Very deep technical expert that can help in some rear and difficult cases. How many of them will be needed?
2. SQL/ETL/etc Developer. There is not much automation in software development yet.
3. DB Design and Architecture. How many of them will be needed? May be more that #1.You seem to think that automation will solve everything. Take that to it's logical conclusion and it will put all of IT out of work. See my comment above regarding "End User Computing'. What you forget is the human element. Not the human DBA trying to do things you think are or soon will be automated. No I'm talking about the humans that create the kinds of problems that automation is *always* trying to catch up with. Pointy Hair Bosses dreaming up new requirements. Bean counters refusing to by an additional 10 gb of disk. Developers that refuse to learn and/or follow best practice. Developers that can't think beyond clicking an icon to create a table. Developers that treat an rdbms as a data dump and try to use Java to re-invent every bit of functionality the db already provides. Systems administrators that delete all of your online redo logs because he needed disk space and 'log files are expendable'. End users that forget their password *EVERY F****** DAY!*
No, I don't spend my time managing extent distribution like I had to do with 8i. Yes, a lot of things I had to do manually in 8i are now successfully automated to the point I don't have to do them .. or have simply been engineered out of the system. But no amount of automation will overcome the ways humans (Executives, managers, supervisors, other IT team members, and users) figure out how to bring a system to its knees.
This whole discussion reminds me of Dippin' Dots. "The Ice Cream of the Future". Well, it's been "The Ice Cream of the Future" for almost 30 years ....
Edited by: EdStevens on Oct 1, 2012 8:55 PM

New in Oracle 8i and this forum

I am new in Dba and Oracle 8i Enterprise Edition and would like to communicate with anyone using it, or other versions. I just installed an 8i enterprise edition, which after the installation a dialog box annoucing a successful installation was prompted but no database was configured with the the database configuration assistant during the installation. I was told by the installer that the process failed. Can any experienced oracle dba come to my rescure

yes I'm here post any queries you have

Interview questions for oracle dba

Hi I am trying to find teh interview questions for oracle dba .
What will be your answer to the following questions. Can somebody shed some light...
. What is the day to day duties of oracle dba?
·     Did you use online or off-line backups?
·     What version of Oracle were you running?
·     Haw many databases and what sizes?
·     If you have to advise a backup strategy for a new application, how would you approach it and what questions will you ask?
·     If a customer calls you about a hanging database session, what will you do to resolve it?
·     Compare Oracle to any other database that you know. Why would you prefer to work on one and not on the other?
Thx
KK

. What is the day to day duties of oracle dba?
I have got a checklist, designed for my daily, weekly, fortnightly and monthly tasks. For example, in the daily checklist tasks, I check for the alert log file, competion and correction of my exports and operating system backups. DB space situation, Antivirus status, standby database status, space on disks, any rogue queries etc.
· Did you use online or off-line backups?
Both.
· What version of Oracle were you running?
8i(not any more), 9i, 10g
· Haw many databases and what sizes?
8 databases, ranging from 1 TB to 10 GB. I have segregated them into OLTP production, testing, cm, and development and a Datawarehouse.
· If you have to advise a backup strategy for a new application, how would you approach it and what questions will you ask?
How much they could afford to lose data or they want zero data loss and also I will get their requirements about down time and up time of database.
· If a customer calls you about a hanging database session, what will you do to resolve it?
First I will identify it, then see to it what exactly it is doing, capture that situation and then either try to release the locks(if its a blocking or blocked session), or kill the session, if its hanging on a runaway query.
· Compare Oracle to any other database that you know. Why would you prefer to work on one and not on the other?
Oracle passes the ACID rule with distinction as compared to the other databases. Moreover, the multiversion read consistency, recovery, flexibility and challenges of Oracle are matchless.
Cheers
fahdoracle.blogspot.com

11g new features for dba

can anyone share document or link regarding
11g new features for dba
i am searching in the net

http://tahiti.oracle.com/
click on your version (11.1 or 11.2) you will see the docs
Edited by: Bawer on 17.01.2013 10:13

New in oracle

hi friends,
i am new in oracle application.
i got training in oraacle application.
now i am going to trian up in dba.
could u give good advice for me?
and how to become a good dba?
sugges some books for dba?
w z future

If you are going to attend training from Oracle University then they will provide you Oracle Student Guide for Apps DBA.
You should review following from Oracle Apps Documentation Library. (you can download these from oracle.com online documentation library)
For Apps DBA
Oracle 11i Concepts
Oracle Application Maintanence Procedure
Oracle Application Maintanence Utilities
For Oracle Apps System Administration
Oracle Applications System Administrator's Guide - Configuration
Oracle Applications System Administrator's Guide - Maintenance
Oracle Applications System Administrator's Guide - Security
I am also new to Oracle Applications like you. Good Luck.

Entry point in Oracle DBA

My name is James, and I am a resident of seattle WA. I am a software and hardware tester profesional both in manual and automation using windows and linux (but mostly software testing on windows platform) for the past 6 plus year. However, I am looking forward to go into oracle DBA. I have intermediate experince with MS SQL 2005/2008 and oracle 9g/10g. What is the best resources out there or book(s) that I can use to enhance my oracle DBA skill and is there a way to get an entry oracle DBA position out there to kick off as an oracle DBA? Any advice would be highly appreciated.
Thanks,
-James.

Its getting near impossible to get into the Oracle DBA field, unless perhaps you are a developer at a company that just happens to need a DBA and you are in the right place at the right time.
Most companies have downsized their DBA staffs, and most companies now expect their DBAs to take on much more databases as well as other responsibilities, including web server administration, develop SQL and PL/SQL and reports, and just about anything else your supervisor happens to need without having the funding to hire someone.
Just as you noted, to be a DBA today requires at least 3-5 years experience, along with a couple years of RAC, Data Guard, Streams, TT, and whatever else is new, and perhaps a Top Secret Clearance that has been active within the past 6 months.
Its near impossible. Even then, if you happen to have all of the above, there will likely be 20 or 30 (or more) qualified applicants for every job opening. But most companies are not hiring to fill permanent positions. They would rather hire you as a temp worker that they don't have to worry about laying you off, or paying your benefits. And of course, if you work for a temp agency, they don't have benefits. And most companies don't want to hire someone who has been working for temp agencies very long because they think you will just leave for the next opportunity to make more money.
And if you do happened to get hired by a company in a permanent position, they will likely put you on as a salaried employee that they can exploit and work you 55 hours a week without compensation or time off for hours over 40 hours.
So catch-22 is exactly right. For a newbie, I think it would be easier to get a IT related job within a company and then perhaps transfer positions later when or if one ever opens up.
It sounds like a bleak picture, and actually it really is, especially for a newbie coming into this field. I'd recommend considering web page development for eCommerce type software. That seems to be where the money is, (if you don't mind doing that kind of work).
Just my two cents...

How to start study to become Oracle DBA

Hi all,
I am new to this group ..i am working with SAP.i hav a little dought that how can i start to become a DBA on oracle..what r the major responsibilits that i need to perform being a DBA..pls provide some narration and tips/documents search or links regard my requirement...
I believe surly i will get solution for my links regard..
Thanks & Regards
mahesh N

Hi,
kEYS TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL ORACLE DBA
Re: Wants to become a DBA
How to become a good DBA
Good luck!
Marcello M.

How to prepare to became the top level oracle dba in the industry..

Hello,
I am an OCP in oracle 11g .Recently got a job as oracle dba in a bank. Its amazing to work as a dba..it gives a gr8 feeling to handle such a huge responsibility.
While working as dba, it gives give lot a idle time..as there are some other senior dba are there. Now i want to prepare my self to became top level dba among the market,
but i don't knw how to start, as there is lots of things except database like OS,storage,networking..goes on..
please guide me how to plan for the next 2-3 years so that i can work any where in the world.
thanks,

>
I am an OCP in oracle 11g .Recently got a job as oracle dba in a bank. Its amazing to work as a dba..it gives a gr8 feeling to handle such a huge responsibility.
While working as dba, it gives give lot a idle time..as there are some other senior dba are there. Now i want to prepare my self to became top level dba among the market,
but i don't knw how to start, as there is lots of things except database like OS,storage,networking..goes on..
>
First - STOP BEING SO LAZY AND START HELPING YOUR TEAMMATES!
Second - you can't possibly be 'working as dba' if you say you have 'lot a idle time'. You might have been hired as a DBA but you clearly aren't 'working'.
Third - you also can't possibliby have 'such a hugh responsibility' if you have lots of idle time.
I have worked with many 'senior' DBAs over the years and several of those times were at a large international bank. There were NEVER periods when anyone had lots of idle time. There was always more work than we could handle and it had to be prioritized and scheduled.
And, since I've never known anyone that would hire someone that they don't really need, especially a bank.
Sounds to me like you are just lazy and need a serious attitude adjustment.
You learn by DOING not by reading. Those senior DBAs will have PLENTY of things you can do to get a solid base of skills. I'm sure they would just LOVE to have you tell them yhou have lots of 'idle time' and they will have no problem at all answering the question you posted here.
Jump in with both feet and start contributing to your team. Help out your fellow DBAs. They will reciprocate by sharing their knowledge with you. After all you have to become BETTER THAN THEM before you can become the 'top' of the market.
If what you posted is true then you have EVERYTHING you need RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU:
1. Opportunity - Banks use almost every DBA skill that there is: backup/recovery, architecture, tuning, and so on
2. Hardware Resources - Banks have plenty of equipment to work with and many different environments (PROD, QA, TEST, DEV) that need supported.
3. People Resources - You have several senior DBAs ready and willing to give you work to do and to help you learn new skills that will take more of the load off of them. Doesn't sound like you have been cultivating those 'people' relationships at all.
4. Time - you said you have lots of 'idle time'. For one, I don't believe you. But if it is true then why aren't you using that idle time to take advantage of items #1, #2 and #3 that I just listed.
I know people that would LOVE to have the opportunity that you say you have and they sure wouldn't wasted their time here in the forums asking questions that they own teammates could help them with.
You won't be at the top of ANYTHING if you don't change your attitude and get to work! What a pity.

I AM NEW TO ORACLE

hi all . i have very much interest in DBA so , i am planning to do OCA , OCP certification . right now i planned to first work on Oracle database in my home and i like to install software in house and work , once i got well versed then i will do certification . so, as you are experts please give me suggestions and help me people

RIYA_JOSEPH wrote:
i am using windows xp service pack 3 , what you means by "pre-built VM" ? can please tell me in detail since i am new to oracle also i installed oracle 11g from this link
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/products/express-edition/downloads/index.html
so , please guide me step by step and make it simpler for me srini
VirtualBox VMs for Developers</title><meta name="Title" content="VirtualBox VMs for Developers&q…

New to Oracle DBA

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