We are back again with some quick tips and documentation links, including Q/A on the topics we covered on Day 5 of the live session. This will help you learn Oracle DBA to Cloud DBA and prepare you for this in-demand certification 1Z0-1093.
Certification includes 14 modules covering 80+ lessons & 18+extensive step by step hands-on labs, which are vital to becoming an Oracle Cloud DBA.
On the first day, We covered Module 1: Oracle Cloud Platform for Database in the Cloud.
In previous weeks Day 2, 3 & 4, We covered Module 2: DB System VM/BM.
And on Day 5 Live Session, we have continued with Module 3: Exadata Cloud Service. We have covered
- ExaCS Provision Connect
- MAA: Maximum Availability Architecture
- Backup Restore ExaCS
- Patching ExaCS
We also covered hands-on Lab 6, Lab 12, and Lab 14 out of our 18+extensive step by step hands-on labs.
Exadata Cloud Service
Oracle Exadata is highly available and highly performant; it’s the most secure architecture for running Oracle Database. Exadata can reduce your data centre footprint and accelerate time to market for mission-critical workloads. ExaCS is the best place to consolidate databases in the cloud-like Multi-version support simplifies consolidation (11.2.04 – 19c), Scalable resources enable more significant consolidation, Storage capacity increases efficiency, Resource management increases predictability, Redundancy increases uptime, consolidation increases performance and lowers costs.
ExaCS Supported Software Releases:
- Oracle Database 19c (19.0)
- Oracle Database 18c (18.0)
- Oracle Database 12c Release 2 (12.2)
- Oracle Database 12c Release 1 (12.1)
- Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2)
ExaCS Shape Configurations
- Exadata X8M
- Exadata X8 Shapes
- Exadata X7 Shapes
- Exadata Base System
Exadata X8M
X8M shape is expandable, unlike X6, X7, and X8 shapes. The initial configuration of 2 database servers and three storage servers is like the quarter rack shape offered for X6, X7 and X8 infrastructure resources.
- Total Minimum Number of Enabled CPU Cores: 0
- Total Maximum Number of Enabled CPU Cores: 100 (for two initial database servers)
- Number of Exadata Storage Servers: 3 (value can be increased after provisioning)
The new X8M shape uses the new Resource Model and is not available under the DB System. Exadata system is now provisioned under Exadata Infrastructure as a top-level resource where one manages the infrastructure. VM Cluster resource is the child resource of the infrastructure one, and that’s where database homes, databases, networking and cluster details reside.
Also Check: Our blog post on Oracle PAYG Model.
Provision Exadata (X8M) Infrastructure
The new resource model has two resource types – Exadata Infrastructure and VM Clusters. The initial Exadata Cloud Service instance will have two database servers and three storage servers by default. That’s the equivalent of an X8 quarter rack.
After provisioning, additional storage servers, compute servers can be dynamically added to the configuration. The provisioning is instantaneous as there are no physical resources yet, but this new resource works as a parent for the VM Cluster that will be provisioned next.
Provision X8 / X7 Exadata Infrastructure
The new resource model is used to provision both the flexible X8M shape and fixed-shape systems (X8/X7/Exadata Base System).
ExaCS Infrastructure is not creating the actual entities such as VMs, DB, etc.
Q: What are the Oracle/Customer’s Responsibilities in ExaCS?
Also Read: Our blog post on Oracle Data Guard.
Maximum Availability Architecture
Oracle Maximum Availability Architecture (MAA) is Oracle’s best practices blueprint based on proven Oracle high availability technologies, end-to-end validation, expert recommendations and customer experiences.
The key goal of MAA is to achieve optimal high availability, data protection and disaster recovery for Oracle customers at the lowest cost and complexity. MAA consists of reference architects for various buckets of HA Service Level Agreements, configuration practices, and HA Life Cycle operational best practices and applicable for non-engineered systems, engineered systems, and non-cloud and cloud deployments.
ExaCS Backup
Exadata CS backup can be on Object Storage & Local Storage on Server. For backup on Local Exadata Storage, you must select “Database Backups On Exadata Storage” at provision time.
You can configure two types of backup
- Managed Backups: using console or REST API
- Unmanaged Backups: RMAN, or BKUP_API (preferred)
For backup to Object Storage, configure static routing in backup Subnet via Service Gateway.
Restore Database
You can restore the most recent backup and perform complete recovery on an Oracle Database Exadata Cloud Service database deployment using the Oracle Database Cloud Service console.
Recovery using RMAN:
Patching ExaCS
You can upgrade the OS to Oracle Linux 7(OL7) through the CLI tool – “patchmgr”. Note: Through patchmgr, you can update the Exadata System Software on database servers with an ISO image staged locally on the database servers or a separate infrastructure instance.
Customers update and patch Exadata DomUs, Grid & Databases. Updating OS of Exadata DomUs is done by using the “patchmgr” tool. Patching operations on GI and oracle database is done through “exadbcpatchmulti”.
Quarterly patches contain bundle patches and a set of one-offs. Oracle delivers the bundle in two ways for Cloud customers.
- Existing provisioned system ( delivered via Patches )
- New provisioning system ( Image available)
You will need to patch the operating system of your Exadata Cloud Service after any Oracle scheduled maintenance is complete to get all the latest security fixes. You will receive the upcoming update notification. For regular quarterly updates, this will be at least one week in advance.
Update Components Managed by Oracle
The maintenance window is always Friday between local data centre time 21.00 to Saturday 05.00. In general, DOM0 and Cells take 1 hour each during the update with no workload. The IB switch takes 30 minutes. All updates are done in a rolling fashion.
Update Components Managed by Customer
Updating Exadata System Software on database servers is a process that will patch Oracle Linux operating system and related Exadata software rather than just updating single packages. Updating the operating system does not use a traditional “yum update” command but uses a CLI tool; patchmgr.
Updated ACFS drivers are available with the following:
- Grid infrastructure 18.3.0.0.180717 and later version 18 quarterly updates
- Grid infrastructure 12.2.0.1.180717 and later version 12.2.0.1 quarterly updates
You can run the utility from either an Exadata compute node or a non-Exadata server running Oracle Linux.
Q: What are flash storage and use cases?
A: Flash storage is a solid-state technology that uses flash memory chips for writing and storing data. Solutions range from USB drives to enterprise-level arrays. Flash storage can achieve fast response times (microsecond latency) compared to hard drives with moving components.
Flash memory is widely used with car radios, cell phones, digital cameras, PDAs, solid-state drives, tablets, and printers.
Q: GRID and RDBMS binaries have been pre-installed in ExaCS?
A: Yes, both are pre-installed in ExaCS.
Q: What is a floating IP address?
A: A floating IP address is a service provided by Neutron. It’s not using any DHCP service or being set statically within the guest. Instances with an assigned floating IP address can be accessed from the public network by the floating IP.
Q: Is it correct to say object storage has one or many buckets that stores actual backups?
A: Yes, In the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Object Storage service, a bucket is a container for storing objects in a compartment within an Object Storage namespace. A bucket is associated with a single compartment that stores actual backups.
Quiz Time (Sample Exam Questions)!
Quiz Time (Sample Exam Questions)! Our [1Z0-1093] Oracle Cloud Service Service Specialist training program covers 150+ Sample Exam questions to help you prepare for the certification [1Z0-1093].
Check out one of the questions and see if you can crack this.
Question: Which versions are currently supported in Exadata Cloud Service?
A. X6, X7, X8 and X8M
B. X7 and X8
C. X6 and X7
D. X5, X6, X7 and X8
Comment down your answer.
The correct answer reveals in next week’s blog.
Question: Which three are the capabilities of the dbaascli utility? (Choose any three.)
A. Patching the primary database deployment
B. Open port 1521 in the VCN to allow for traffic to the listener
C. Start and open the database instance
D. Switchover and failover in an Oracle Guard configuration
E. Clone a DB
Answer: A, C & D
Feedback
We always work on improving and being the best version of ourselves from the previous session hence constantly ask feedback from our attendees.
Here’s the feedback that we received from our trainees who had attended the session.
Here 2108 is in YYMM format, represents the trainees from the batch of August 2021.
Related/References
- Create Oracle Autonomous Data Warehouse 19c on OCI
- How to Connect to an Autonomous Database on Oracle Cloud
- 1Z0-998 | Oracle Database Cloud Service Certification: Documentation | Training
Next Task For You
If you want to upgrade your career from an Oracle DBA to Oracle Cloud DBA, and want to clear Oracle Cloud Database Service Specialist[1Z0-1093-21] & Oracle Cloud Autonomous Database Certification[1Z0-931-21], register for a Free Class and don’t miss an opportunity to gain a plethora of insights on becoming a certified Oracle Cloud DBA.
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