Oracle database administration

OEM 12c R3 release good for Oracle customers; others not as much

Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM) 12c R3 continues to be a tool focused on Oracle products. That's good for Oracle customers, but limits OEM's reach.News | 03 Jul 2013

The future of Dell Toad: Oracle DBAs can use BI, Exadata features

Dell Toad is pushing itself into business intelligence and now has an edition to support Oracle's big Exadata appliance.Feature

The state of Dell Toad: Oracle DBAs and how they can still benefit

Since Dell acquired Quest Software, maker of the Toad tool for Oracle databases and applications, some questions have arisen about what would happen.Feature

Improve database performance with Oracle segment space management

Deleting database rows can create small data gaps that lead to slower table scans. Find out how to use Oracle segment space management to fix this.Tip

Use Oracle dynamic sampling to improve database optimizer performance

To help an optimizer gather statistics more effectively, Oracle dynamic sampling comes to the rescue, according to database expert Matthew Morris.Tip

Collaborate 2013 Oracle user groups show guide

Collaborate 2013 is one of the biggest Oracle user group conferences of the year, and SearchOracle.com editors are on hand to cover it from start to finish.Collaborate 2013

What's out there for Oracle third-party tools

Oracle products come with an array of integrated tools, but an ecosystem of third-party tools exists that can make an Oracle developer's life even easier.Feature

Justify Oracle third-party tools with performance and cost benefits

Ignore Oracle third-party tools at your own risk and expense, according to contributor Frank Ohlhorst.Feature

Independent Oracle Users Group celebrates 20th anniversary

Independent Oracle Users Group President John Matelski argues for the value of an Oracle users group in today's day and age.Feature

Where to look for Oracle DBA learning materials

Readers ask SearchOracle.com expert Brian Peasland where they can find learning materials for becoming a better Oracle database administrator.Answer

How to tune Oracle instance recovery

Find out how to tune Oracle instance recovery in this tip from Matthew Morris, a renowned Oracle Database author.Oracle Database Tip

Perfect the Oracle RMAN duplicate 10g command

One reader asks expert Brian Peasland a question about datafile sizes with the Oracle RMAN duplicate 10g command.Answer

external hard drive

An external hard drive is a portable storage device that can be attached to a computer through a USB or Firewire connection, or wirelessly.Definition

How to copy Oracle Database 9i to a new server

Expert Brian Peasland explains to one puzzled reader how to copy Oracle Database 9i from one production server to another.Answer

Book excerpt: Effective MySQL Backup and Recovery

As a DBA, you need to create an effective strategy. How? Read this excerpt from Ronald Bradford's 'Effective MySQL: Backup and Recovery' to find out.Excerpt

How to copy an Oracle database

Contributor Raymond Lefebvre, a database director, explains how to do one of the most common things DBAs are required to do – copy an Oracle database.Tip

Improve the Media Recovery Process (MRP) in Oracle Data Guard

One reader asks expert William Cullen why the Media Recovery Process (MRP) in Oracle Data Guard shouldn't be used in multi-node Real Application Clusters (RAC) environments.Answer

Oracle license requirements in disaster recovery scenarios

One reader asks whether they need an Oracle license to back up their database to tape.Answer

Facebook MySQL DBA gives tips on server management

Facebook MySQL database administrator (DBA) Rob Wultsch tells Oracle OpenWorld attendees to “keep it simple, stupid” and gives tips for preventing DBA burnout.News | 03 Oct 2011

Data replication software helps hospital network prepare for the worst

The UPMC health network faced several data replication software challenges when ramping up its disaster recovery site.News | 21 Jul 2011

Oracle 12c Database now available

The Oracle 12c Database touts several new features, though the biggest draw will probably be the paid add-on, Pluggable Databases.News | 27 Jun 2013

Improve database performance with Oracle segment space management

Deleting database rows can create small data gaps that lead to slower table scans. Find out how to use Oracle segment space management to fix this.Tip

Rich Niemiec on Oracle database 12c, database security and Larry's law

We caught up with Rich Niemiec at Collaborate 13. Listen to his observations on such topics as Oracle database 12c and more.Videocast

Matthew Morris

Matthew Morris is a database engineer at Computer Sciences Corporation and a popular author of Oracle certification study guides.Contributor

Collaborate 2013 Oracle user groups show guide

Collaborate 2013 is one of the biggest Oracle user group conferences of the year, and SearchOracle.com editors are on hand to cover it from start to finish.Collaborate 2013

Introducing Pluggable Database, the star of Oracle Database 12c

Meet Pluggable Database, the star of Oracle Database 12c—it may redefine database virtualization.News | 15 Feb 2013

Pluggable Database virtualizes Oracle Database 12c

Several users beta testing Oracle Database 12c say that Pluggable Database is one of its most powerful new features.Feature

Oracle Database 12c, Exadata x3 highlight OpenWorld keynote

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison highlighted some features of the new Oracle Database 12c and Exadata X3 products announced at Oracle OpenWorld 2012.News | 30 Sep 2012

OpenWorld and JavaOne 2012 conference coverage

guide

Oracle OpenWorld 2012 special report

The 30th annual Oracle OpenWorld conference has 50,000 registered attendees and is packed full of sessions and keynotes on Oracle databases, applications, middleware and hardware, among other topics. OpenWorld occurs the same time as JavaOne 2012, and together the two take over a large chunk of San Francisco for the entire week.

Editors from SearchOracle.com and SearchCloudApplications.com will be at OpenWorld the whole week, capturing all the news and focusing on user sessions on Oracle Database 12c, engineered systems and other hardware, Oracle application upgrades, cloud computing and other topics.guide

Addressing quality-of-service improves Oracle database consolidation

In this fourth installment of a series on Oracle database consolidation, Jeff McCormick writes about achieving multi-tenancy within Oracle Database by addressing more quality-of-service concerns.Tip

How to copy an Oracle database

Contributor Raymond Lefebvre, a database director, explains how to do one of the most common things DBAs are required to do – copy an Oracle database.Tip

Exadata, hybrid columnar compression, and inserts

One reader asks Oracle Exadata book co-author Rick Greenwald about compression on row-insertion on Exadata.Answer

One shop describes its move off Oracle on Itanium

Given Oracle’s recent announcement that it would stop software development on Itanium, one environmental services company’s decision to move to x86 Linux is timely.News | 25 Mar 2011

Oracle database upgrade guide

If you’re considering a move to a new Oracle database version -- especially Oracle Database 11g or Oracle Database 11gR2 -- read our Oracle database upgrade guide for tips and customer success stories.Tutorial

Oracle upgrades: Tips and trends

If you’re planning an Oracle upgrade, start here to learn about the latest Oracle upgrade trends. Also, get expert advice from Oracle gurus and learn about the current state of Oracle Fusion Middleware upgrades.Tutorial

Server load problems after moving from Oracle 10g XE to 11g SE One

Experiencing server load problems when moving from Oracle 10g XE to 11g SE One? Learn ways to solve these server load issues in this tip from Oracle database expert Brian Peasland.Answer

Minimize database downtime when moving an Oracle DB to a new server

Learn how to minimize database downtime when moving your Oracle 10gR2 database from a Windows 2003 32-bit server to a Windows 2008 64-bit server, using the Database Configuration Assistant, in this tip from an Oracle database expert.Answer

Oracle backup and recovery strategies: Export dump vs. RMAN

Should you use an export dump or RMAN in your Oracle backup and recovery strategies? Learn about the importance of employing both in this tip from Oracle expert Brian Peasland.Answer

Can I run Oracle 9i on a Windows 64-bit O/S?

If you want to migrate Oracle 9i to a Windows 64-bit O/S environment, learn in this expert tip why you may want to install Oracle 10g or 11g first.Answer

Oracle 12c Database now available

The Oracle 12c Database touts several new features, though the biggest draw will probably be the paid add-on, Pluggable Databases.News | 27 Jun 2013

Online patching support highlights upcoming Oracle EBS 12.2 release

Oracle EBS 12.2 is expected out this year, and support for online patching will be one of its key features.Tip

Doing an Oracle patch update the right way is no easy task

Knowing which Oracle patch update is the right one, and how often to apply them, is key to keeping IT and end users happy.Feature

Global transaction IDs, full-text searches highlight MySQL 5.6 release

Performance boost is an important part of the MySQL 5.6 release, although integration may be an issue early on.Feature

Oracle database administrators assemble their 2013 Oracle wish list

Oracle database administrators want to see better query optimization, memory leakage detection and heterogeneous support of Data Guard in 2013.Feature

Pluggable Database virtualizes Oracle Database 12c

Several users beta testing Oracle Database 12c say that Pluggable Database is one of its most powerful new features.Feature

Harvard cuts IT footprint with FlexPod, Oracle Database Appliance

Harvard Business Publishing needed to upgrade its aging Dell server infrastructure, and decided on two separate integrated approaches to get it done.Case study

Oracle Database 12c, Exadata x3 highlight OpenWorld keynote

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison highlighted some features of the new Oracle Database 12c and Exadata X3 products announced at Oracle OpenWorld 2012.News | 30 Sep 2012

Oracle OpenWorld 2012 preview: Three questions

We asked four well-known Oracle experts three important questions about Oracle OpenWorld 2012, which is coming up next week.News | 26 Sep 2012

Oracle Database 12c to be announced at OpenWorld

The first major upgrade to Oracle's flagship database product in three years will include features around the cloud, tuning and automation.News | 21 Sep 2012

How to copy Oracle Database 9i to a new server

Expert Brian Peasland explains to one puzzled reader how to copy Oracle Database 9i from one production server to another.Answer

Why won't TNS listener connect with Oracle Database 11g 32-bit?

One reader asks why his 64-bit TNS listener won't connect with 32-bit Oracle Database 11g.Answer

Avoiding and fixing mutating table errors

PL/SQL expert Daniel Clamage tells one reader why her merge statement is creating a mutating table error.Answer

How to perform incomplete recovery to overcome Oracle database error

Learn how to perform incomplete recovery in Oracle to overcome an error after restoring with RESETLOGs in this tip from Oracle expert Brian Peasland.Answer

Why am I receiving Oracle memory allocation errors?

Are you receiving Oracle memory allocation errors? Learn why you may be having memory allocation problems in Oracle in this tip from Oracle expert Brian Peasland.Ask the Expert

Oracle error 6550 may mean incorrect Oracle export version

Oracle expert Brian Peasland explains why you might get an Oracle error 6550 when using the wrong Oracle export version in this tip.Ask the Expert

Why does the archive log in Oracle give me the ORA-16032 error?

Oracle expert Brian Peasland explains why you might be getting the ORA-16032 error, including why starting multiple instances with the archive log in Oracle will throw the error.Ask the Expert

Are we getting the ORA-00382 error because we're at maximum block size?

Are you receiving the ORA-00382 error when determining Solaris block size? Learn what the maximum block size on Solaris is in this expert tip.Ask the Expert

How do I solve the ORA-00257 error in Oracle?

Read about some possible solutions to the ORA-00257 error in Oracle with this expert tip.Ask the Expert

Error during RMAN backup

An Oracle user asks why they are receiving an error when conducting an RMAN backup.Ask the Expert

The future of Dell Toad: Oracle DBAs can use BI, Exadata features

Dell Toad is pushing itself into business intelligence and now has an edition to support Oracle's big Exadata appliance.Feature

The state of Dell Toad: Oracle DBAs and how they can still benefit

Since Dell acquired Quest Software, maker of the Toad tool for Oracle databases and applications, some questions have arisen about what would happen.Feature

Improve database performance with Oracle segment space management

Deleting database rows can create small data gaps that lead to slower table scans. Find out how to use Oracle segment space management to fix this.Tip

Configure Oracle fine-grained access control for network services

Most Oracle databases don't need access to the network. So creating Oracle fine-grained access control for network services will help security.Tip

Use Oracle dynamic sampling to improve database optimizer performance

To help an optimizer gather statistics more effectively, Oracle dynamic sampling comes to the rescue, according to database expert Matthew Morris.Tip

How to tune Oracle instance recovery

Find out how to tune Oracle instance recovery in this tip from Matthew Morris, a renowned Oracle Database author.Oracle Database Tip

Matthew Morris

Matthew Morris is a database engineer at Computer Sciences Corporation and a popular author of Oracle certification study guides.Contributor

Collaborate 2013 Oracle user groups show guide

Collaborate 2013 is one of the biggest Oracle user group conferences of the year, and SearchOracle.com editors are on hand to cover it from start to finish.Collaborate 2013

What's out there for Oracle third-party tools

Oracle products come with an array of integrated tools, but an ecosystem of third-party tools exists that can make an Oracle developer's life even easier.Feature

Justify Oracle third-party tools with performance and cost benefits

Ignore Oracle third-party tools at your own risk and expense, according to contributor Frank Ohlhorst.Feature

Oracle 12c Database now available

The Oracle 12c Database touts several new features, though the biggest draw will probably be the paid add-on, Pluggable Databases.News | 27 Jun 2013

Configure Oracle fine-grained access control for network services

Most Oracle databases don't need access to the network. So creating Oracle fine-grained access control for network services will help security.Tip

Privileged user management a must for DBAs

Trust, but verify. Ronald Reagan made it popular, and it's certainly relevant for DBAs in today's consolidated, virtualized IT world.Oracle Revelations | 15 May 2013

Rich Niemiec on Oracle database 12c, database security and Larry's law

We caught up with Rich Niemiec at Collaborate 13. Listen to his observations on such topics as Oracle database 12c and more.Videocast

Doing an Oracle patch update the right way is no easy task

Knowing which Oracle patch update is the right one, and how often to apply them, is key to keeping IT and end users happy.Feature

MySQL security analysis: Mitigating MySQL zero-day flaws

In the wake of several recent MySQL zero-day vulnerabilities, expert Michael Cobb assesses the state of MySQL security. Is a MySQL alternative needed?Tip

Black Hat 2012: David Litchfield slams Oracle database indexing

At Black Hat 2012, longtime Oracle thorn David Litchfield presents working exploits targeting Oracle database indexing vulnerabilities.News | 26 Jul 2012

Security pro: Find and secure sensitive Oracle database data

Jonathan Intner, solutions architect for data security company Vormetric, talks about what makes sensitive data sensitive, encryption key management and finding sensitive data in surprising places in this Q&A.;News | 07 Dec 2011

Oracle Fusion Middleware evolves its mobile development platform

Oracle Application Development Framework (ADF) Mobile has improved, but the company should focus more on mobile security, a big consumer concern.Tip

Three trends in Oracle identity and access management

Moving toward a service-centric focus is one of three important IAM trends, according to one consultant.Tip

The basics of Oracle database availability

Database expert Jeff McCormick introduces some basic Oracle database availability concepts such as uptime and mean time between failures.Tip

Collaborate 2012 Oracle user groups show guide

Conference Coverage

In-memory databases: Oracle TimesTen vs. Sybase ASE

In this first part, expert Mich Talebzadeh looks at the Oracle TimesTen in-memory database, detailing how it works and explaining when it’s beneficial over a traditional relational database management system.Tip

Data replication software helps hospital network prepare for the worst

The UPMC health network faced several data replication software challenges when ramping up its disaster recovery site.News | 21 Jul 2011

Mirroring in Oracle RAC and Data Guard

A reader asks a question about mirroring on Oracle RAC using Data Guard.Answer

MySQL high availability trends podcast

Sarah Novotny, a MySQL expert and chair of the MySQL advisory council of the IOUG, talks in this podcast about MySQL high availability.Podcast

Oracle RAC and distance limitations

One reader asks what the Oracle RAC distance limitations are for two environments being run in sync.Answer

Ensuring high availability in Oracle Database 11g R2

Scott Jesse, senior manager for Oracle RAC customer support, discusses Oracle Database 11g Release 2 High Availability, a book he co-wrote this year.News | 27 May 2011

Oracle Database 11g R2 High Availability sample book chapter

Here is a sample chapter from Oracle Database 11g R2 High Availability, a new book from Oracle Press.Book chapter | 27 May 2011

Oracle database professionals challenged by availability, upgrade issues

On top of the list for Oracle database professionals' challenges includes issues around availability and upgrades.Slideshow

Database server virtualization wars: VMs vs. Oracle RAC

Database server virtualization is always tough. Should you put multiple VMs on one machine or spread your database instances across several servers?Feature

Collaborate 2013 Oracle user groups show guide

Collaborate 2013 is one of the biggest Oracle user group conferences of the year, and SearchOracle.com editors are on hand to cover it from start to finish.Collaborate 2013

Oracle Database Appliance x3-2 due out Tuesday

A major upgrade to the Oracle Database Appliance x3-2 gives it some of the Exadata platform's high-end features, although it isn't quite there yet.News | 04 Mar 2013

Oracle database administrators assemble their 2013 Oracle wish list

Oracle database administrators want to see better query optimization, memory leakage detection and heterogeneous support of Data Guard in 2013.Feature

PayPal completes a 60-day migration to Oracle Exadata

Online payment processor PayPal knows what it takes to migrate to a new data management platform in a hurry.Feature

Oracle licensing on Oracle Database Standard Edition

One reader asks two questions about licensing Oracle Database Standard Edition.Answer

Oracle Database Appliance has been slow to adoption

Alex Gorbachev, CTO of Pythian, explains why Oracle Database Appliance hasn't seen the rate of adoption that he was expecting.Video

Collaborate 2012 Oracle user groups show guide

Conference Coverage

Improve the Media Recovery Process (MRP) in Oracle Data Guard

One reader asks expert William Cullen why the Media Recovery Process (MRP) in Oracle Data Guard shouldn't be used in multi-node Real Application Clusters (RAC) environments.Answer

ATT.com eyes hybrid Oracle cloud computing

ATT.com is considering a hybrid public-private Oracle cloud computing model so it can handle highly variable traffic without having to build to peak capacity.News | 03 Nov 2011

The Oracle-Salesforce deal, along with others, is good for end users

The witty jabs between Larry Ellison and Marc Benioff may be over, but overall the Oracle-Salesforce deal is probably good for users.Oracle Revelations | 01 Jul 2013

Oracle cloud computing strives for relevancy with Salesforce.com deal

Oracle's database, hardware, Java and Fusion are being integrated with Salesforce.com in a partnership announced Tuesday.News | 25 Jun 2013

Diving into the Oracle-Microsoft cloud computing deal

Oracle's getting back to its roots, as SQL Azure bites its fingernails (or does it?) Find out why the Oracle-Microsoft deal matters.News | 24 Jun 2013

Rich Niemiec on Oracle database 12c, database security and Larry's law

We caught up with Rich Niemiec at Collaborate 13. Listen to his observations on such topics as Oracle database 12c and more.Videocast

Oracle Cloud authors on buzzwords, misconceptions and more

Authors Madhup Gulati, Adeesh Fulay and Sudip Datta answered some questions we had about the Oracle cloud. See what they shared with us.Feature

Collaborate 2013 Oracle user groups show guide

Collaborate 2013 is one of the biggest Oracle user group conferences of the year, and SearchOracle.com editors are on hand to cover it from start to finish.Collaborate 2013

Oracle Solaris 11.1 update focuses on database integration, cloud

The Oracle Solaris 11.1 operating system update is keyed in on integration with Oracle Database and cloud computing features.News | 05 Nov 2012

Oracle Database 12c to be announced at OpenWorld

The first major upgrade to Oracle's flagship database product in three years will include features around the cloud, tuning and automation.News | 21 Sep 2012

ATT.com eyes hybrid Oracle cloud computing

ATT.com is considering a hybrid public-private Oracle cloud computing model so it can handle highly variable traffic without having to build to peak capacity.News | 03 Nov 2011

Oracle, Salesforce spar over cloud, multi-tenancy

Oracle’s latest public cloud offering came with jabs at Salesforce.com and multi-tenancy, a concept crucial to cloud computing.News | 20 Oct 2011

MySQL security analysis: Mitigating MySQL zero-day flaws

In the wake of several recent MySQL zero-day vulnerabilities, expert Michael Cobb assesses the state of MySQL security. Is a MySQL alternative needed?Tip

Global transaction IDs, full-text searches highlight MySQL 5.6 release

Performance boost is an important part of the MySQL 5.6 release, although integration may be an issue early on.Feature

Oracle database administrators assemble their 2013 Oracle wish list

Oracle database administrators want to see better query optimization, memory leakage detection and heterogeneous support of Data Guard in 2013.Feature

Book excerpt: Effective MySQL Backup and Recovery

As a DBA, you need to create an effective strategy. How? Read this excerpt from Ronald Bradford's 'Effective MySQL: Backup and Recovery' to find out.Excerpt

SearchOracle.com Advisory Board

Advisory Board

Oracle querying for developers

What pain points do you experience in Oracle querying? Read this excerpt from Michael McLaughlin’s Oracle Database 11g & MySQL 5.6 Developer Handbook to learn the answers to your questions.Feature

Book explores Oracle, MySQL query methods

Michael McLaughlin, author of Oracle 11g & MySQL 5.6 Developer Handbook discusses the benefits of keyword querying and more in this interview.Q&A; | 29 Nov 2011

Facebook MySQL DBA gives tips on server management

Facebook MySQL database administrator (DBA) Rob Wultsch tells Oracle OpenWorld attendees to “keep it simple, stupid” and gives tips for preventing DBA burnout.News | 03 Oct 2011

MySQL high availability trends podcast

Sarah Novotny, a MySQL expert and chair of the MySQL advisory council of the IOUG, talks in this podcast about MySQL high availability.Podcast

IOUG President Andrew Flower on Oracle MySQL

Andrew Flower, President of IOUG, sat down with SearchOracle.com at the Collaborate 2011 conference in Orlando to discuss Oracle's stewardship of MySQL.Video