| Significance of OCP Certification |
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Dr. Abhay Sardesai ( )
Author, Whizlabs OCP 9i Certification (1Z0-032) Preparation Kit
Oracle ® Corporation has developed a comprehensive relational database management system, and is also the leading database solutions provider in the world. The position of a Database Administrator (DBA) in the IT industry is of paramount importance, since it deals with critical issues of design and management of databases in a comprehensive manner. |
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In addition, the position of a DBA is relatively immune to the fluctuating supply-demand scenarios largely prevalent amongst other positions in the IT industry. Data collection, storage, and transportation in a secure environment are some of the most vital duties of a DBA, which essentially contributes towards the importance of this position. Quite understandably, the demand for DBA skills has been rising over the years.
Oracle Certifications have become the most coveted credential in the database skills arena, and in this regard, Oracle offers DBA certifications at three separate levels: Oracle Certified Associate (OCA), Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), and Oracle Certified Master (OCM). A very interesting article on the Internet () by Howard Fosdick compares the DBA certifications in Oracle, DB2, and SQL Server, in which he concludes that although no single vendor's certification is markedly better than the others, Oracle's OCP DBA certification has always been the most marketable DBA certification. The number of Oracle DBAs seeking and acquiring OCA, OCP, and OCM certifications is increasing day by day, a jump that can be attributed to the growing realization that Oracle Certification not only provides one's prospective or existing employer an objective manner to assess a candidate's demonstrated proficiency in the subject, but also instills confidence in the candidates in their own abilities. Of course, the tangible benefits attached with the Oracle certification are also non-trivial. According to a number of surveys, an experienced DBA experiences career advancement and an average salary increase of approximately 7-12% upon certification, whereas incipient DBAs, brimming with newfound confidence, experience a more positive response from prospective employers towards securing lucrative employment in today's highly competitive IT industry. Overall, Oracle DBA Certification effectively delivers return on investment (ROI) for both organizations and individuals by enhancing knowledge and prestige for their mutual benefit.
Oracle OCA Certification stipulates the successful undertaking of 2 exams. Success in these exams is a prerequisite for taking the next 2 exams, which are required in securing the Oracle OCP Certification. The Oracle9i DBA Fundamental II exam is one of the 2 exams to be cleared before one can become an Oracle9i DBA OCP. This article will focus on the Oracle9i DBA Fundamentals II exam. To get the detailed information related to the Oracle9i DBA Certification track click here. |
This exam is intended for database administrators who are primarily responsible for:
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Setting up the network configuration between the database clients and servers |
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Performing backup and recovery |
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Exporting and importing data between databases |
Prerequisites
Before you take this exam, you have to succeed in the following 2 exams, which together qualify you for the OCA certification:
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1Z0-001: Introduction to Oracle: SQL and PL/SQL |
OR
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1Z0-007: Introduction to Oracle 9i: SQL, AND |
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1Z0-031: Oracle9i Database Fundamentals I |
In other words, you must be an Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) to start Oracle9i Database Administrator Certified Professional credential.
The following points provide information about the certification exam:
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A brief overview of the main objectives covered in the Oracle9i DBA Fundamental II Exam is provided below: (For a detailed list of the objectives, .
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Networking Overview
This objective introduces the concept of complex networks and explains their intricacy as compared to simple networks, as well as the tools and solutions provided by Oracle9i to efficiently manage these networks. |
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Basic Oracle Net Architecture
This objective details the key components of the Oracle Net layered architecture, both on the server and client side, and explains the role played by Oracle Net services in establishing and maintaining client server connections. |
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Basic Net Server-Side Configuration
This objective explains in detail, the Oracle Net Manager configuration on the server side, which primarily deals with the introduction of the listener, its functioning, and its configuration. |
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Basic Oracle Net Services Client-Side Configuration
This objective discusses the client-side configuration for Oracle Net Services, primarily dealing with explanation of host naming and local naming methods of names resolution, as well as their differences and their configurations. |
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Usage and Configuration of the Oracle Shared Server
This objective introduces the concept of Oracle Shared Server, its applications, its components, and its configuration. |
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Backup and Recovery Overview
This objective focuses on some significant aspects of databases, database backup, restoration, and recovery. It also provides an overview of the different conditions that cause a database failure, and how to design an efficient backup and recovery plan. |
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Instance and Media Recovery Structures
This objective provides a detailed overview of the memory structures and Oracle processes associated with instance and media recovery, and the role, played by each process in this regard. |
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Configuring of the Database Archiving Mode
This objective introduces the archivelog mode of database backup and how it varies from the noarchivelog mode, as well as configuration of that mode via automatic and manual methods to their respective destinations (can be multiple and remote). |
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Oracle Recovery Manager Overview and Configuration
This objective provides introduction to the features and components of Recovery Manager (RMAN), and its configuration and operation using RMAN recovery catalog and control files. |
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User-Managed Backups
This objective addresses the concepts of closed database backups and open database backups, as well as backing up of control files and read-only tablespaces. |
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RMAN Backups
This objective introduces the different types of RMAN related backups, as well as issues related to backing up control files and archived redo log files. |
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User-Managed Complete Recovery
This objective discusses the media recovery procedures in archivelog and noarchivelog modes by using archived redo log files, as well as the recovery of read-only tablespace recovery. |
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RMAN Complete Recovery
This objective describes the role played by RMAN in the restoration and recovery from a valid backup, following a failure. |
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User-Managed Incomplete Recovery
This objective provides information about incomplete recovery and the loss of files associated with this kind of recovery, as managed by the user. |
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RMAN Incomplete Recovery
This objective details steps involved in an incomplete database recovery using the UNTIL TIME and UNTIL SEQUENCE methods. |
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RMAN Maintenance
This objective addresses the maintenance issues associated with RMAN, including checking the status of backups and copies, keeping the recovery catalog up-to-date, developing retention policies to maintain control over the availability status of the backups. |
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Recovery Catalog Creation and Maintenance
This objective focuses on the details of a recovery catalog including its creation, maintenance, backup, and recovery. |
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Transporting Data Between Databases
This objective details the role played by the EXPORT and IMPORT utilities in transporting data between databases, as well as the mechanisms involved in these operations. |
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Loading Data into a Database
This objective focuses on the importance of SQL*Loader in loading data into a database, and compares its functionality with direct-load inserts. |
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| Getting Ready for the Exam |
To score well in the exam, you must have at least some working knowledge of Oracle Net, Backup and Recovery, with or without Recovery Manager (RMAN), and Importing and Exporting data using Oracle database utilities. If you are a novice, you can start by learning the basic concepts from books covering these topics, and experiment with the database to familiarize yourself with the detailed steps, or you can attend any of the training courses offered by the Oracle University (either Instructor-led or online courses). |
Books
The recommended books for exam preparation are:
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OCP: Oracle9i Certification Kit, by Chip Dawes, Biju Thomas, et al. |
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OCP Oracle9i DBA Fundamentals II Study Guide, by Doug Stuns, Matthew Weishan. |
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Oracle9i Certified Professional DBA Fundamental II Exam Guide, by Rama Velpuri. |
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Oracle9i DB Fundamentals - II official courseware from Oracle University. |
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Oracle9i DBA Handbook, by Kevin Looney and Marlene Theriault. |
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Oracle9i DBA 101, by Marlene Theriault, Rachel Carmichael, et al. |
Training Courses and Material
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There are some courses recommended by Oracle University for OCP certification. To get more information on these courses, |
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For some more information about Oracle9i OCP DBA certification and training material |
Some other useful links are as follows:
Preparation Kits
Using exam simulators aids your exam preparation in two ways:
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You can identify your areas of weaknesses, so that you can focus more on the same. |
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You can get a feel of the actual exam environment and the expected types of questions. |
Check out the trial version of the Whizlabs 1Z0-032 Preparation Kit. |
Question 1:
What is the responsibility of Oracle Protocol Support (OPS)?
Choices:
A) Connects to the server for network communication.
B) Converts the character set and data type between different character sets and types on the client and server respectively, in the data transmission.
C) Establishes and maintains the connection between the client and the server.
D) Provides a mapping between Oracle Net functionality and industry standard protocols for the communication of the client and the server.
Correct Choice:
Explanation:
Choice D is the correct answer.
OPS maps the Oracle Net functionality to the industry standard protocols for the communication of the client and the server.
Choice A is incorrect because it describes the responsibility of Oracle Application.
Choice B is incorrect because it describes the responsibility of Two-Task Common (TTC).
Choice C is incorrect because it describes the responsibility of Oracle Net.
Question 2:
Which of the following statements about Shared Server are true? (Choose two)
Choices:
A) All the incoming requests from the clients are received by dispatchers, and the dispatchers forward these requests to the Oracle Database instance.
B) All the incoming requests from the clients are received by shared server processes, and the processes forward the requests to the Oracle Database instance.
C) The data of the user session are stored in Program Global Area (PGA).
D) The data of the user session are stored in System Global Area (SGA).
Correct Choice:
A; D
Explanation:
Choices A and D are the correct answers.
In the shared server mode, all incoming requests are handled by the dispatchers. They will then put the requests into the request queue. Whenever there are idle server processes, they will put up the requests from the queue and process it. After the requests are processed, the results will be sent to the dispatchers and then sent back to the clients. Thus, choice A is correct.
As the requests are received by the dispatchers instead of shared server processes, choice B is incorrect.
Since all the incoming requests are placed in the same area (the request queue), the data of the user session is stored in SGA, not PGA. Thus, choice C is incorrect and Choice D is correct. |
Dr. Abhay Sardesai is a practicing chemical engineering researcher at the University of Missouri, USA, who dabbles in databases as a hobby and has earned Oracle 9i/8i OCP and Oracle 9i PL/SQL Developer OCA credentials. He is actively involved in content development, technical review, online trainings, and classroom training for Oracle9i and SQL Server 2000 DBA coursework.
The author can be contacted at . |
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