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FIG. 9.9
Notice the Administrator
toolbar on the right side
of the Security Manager
screen.


FIG. 9.10
Create a tablespace
while displaying storage
utilization.

The graphic display of storage utilization at a glance enables database administrators to track down storage problems quickly and respond to them all within the same tool.

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Executing SQL

SQL Worksheet is the Database Administration Tool answer to Server Manager and SQL*Plus. Targeted at database administrators, it provides a means to submit SQL, PL/SQL, DBA commands, and SQL scripts. With a robust command history and retrieval capability, it provides some of the capabilities that endeared the now obsolete SQL*DBA application to database administrators. Divided into a top output pane and bottom input pane, both of which are scrollable, commands are entered in the input pane and results scroll across the top output pane.

An input pane toolbar provides several useful and convenient functions. Buttons are used to create new scripts, open scripts, and save scripts. Another button executes the currently open script. The remaining three buttons display the command history and enable the user to scroll through the previously used commands. Previously issued commands are pulled into the input window for execution from the command history display in a separate window. A button associated with the output pane enables the database administrator to save the output to a file.

Managing Recoverability

Backup Manager provides two subsystems for managing recovery and backup of Oracle8 databases: Operating System Backup and Oracle8 Recovery Manager. Operating System Backup doesn't provide a comprehensive solution for Oracle8 (it is Oracle7 oriented). Oracle8 Recovery Manager is a comprehensive recovery and backup solution, including features such as point-in-time database recovery, scripting, and control file recovery. An optional recovery catalog provides a repository for metadata describing backup and recoveries.

NOTE
To use Backup Manager, Job must be configured and available with a remote intelligent agent operational on the system where the target database resides.

Wizards that guide the database administrator through the steps necessary to perform recovery and backup are available. Alternatively, database administrators can create backup sets and jobs for image copies manually.

Managing Data

Data Manager assists database administrators in performing imports, exports, and table loads. This tool provides an easy-to-use interface that generates parameter files passed on to SQL*Loader and the import/export utilities for execution. In order to perform these functions on remote systems, Job must be configured and available with a remote intelligent agent operational on the system where the target database resides. Data Manager can operate on local databases without Job.

The navigation tree in Data Manager is user oriented, with tables and partitions filling the two levels of the hierarchy below user. Each export, import, and load operation has its own wizard to prepare the input parameters necessary to run the utilities. In order to use the load function, a load control file must be prepared in advance of using the utility.

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Data Manager is a great way for the novice DBA to become familiar with the three utilities that move data into and out of a database. The wizards are good training before later exposure to the native utilities and their arcane parameters.

Managing Software

Software Manager provides a method for database administrators to distribute Oracle software and related configuration information across a network of computers by using an easy-to-use central client interface working with remote intelligent agents. Multiple software distribution servers provide a means to scale up the solution for large installations. Software Manager provides an inventory of software installed in Oracle home directories on the target remote systems.

A software distribution process is built into Software Manager. Certain systems are designated software distribution hosts. These hosts are the sources for software to distribute to the target systems. Software releases are defined on the software distribution servers based on the product installation files found on Oracle software distribution media or in installation staging areas. Software packages based on components of one or more releases on a distribution server are then bundled, ready for distribution and installation. Installations that require responses are dealt with using response files. The software packages are then submitted for installation on the target remote systems using Job, which is required to use Software Manager.

Using the Performance Pack

The Enterprise Manager Performance Pack is a value-added component of Enterprise Manager that provides tolls for performance monitoring and tracking, tablespace management, session monitoring, trace management, lock management, and system tuning via an automated expert system. Good database performance tuning requires more than a point-in-time snapshot of system information. Performance management is a method, not a tool or skill, that requires access to key performance metrics for different times of the day, week, and month over a period of time. Ideally, the result of performance management is not corrective action based on an immediate problem, but preventative action based on trends detected through an ongoing analysis process. The Performance Pack provides tools necessary to capture, store, and analyze performance data to meet this objective.

TIP
Note that there is an additional cost for licensing the use of the Enterprise Manager Performance Pack. You shouldn't install this component unless it is properly licensed.

Monitoring and Tracking Performance

The centerpiece of the Performance Pack is the Performance Manager. This tool provides real-time performance monitoring and the capability to record performance characteristics for later analysis. A set of predefined metrics in the form of charts and tables enables a quick start to using the tool without up-front development. Database administrators can add new

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measurements to meet specialized needs that aren't met by the standard charts provided with Performance Manager.

Performance Manager has built-in charts for collection and analysis of contention, global database statistics, I/O, workload levels, memory, and parallel server information. Anything else collectable with a SQL statement is the basis for new charts as required for specialized analysis and tuning.

Performance Manager is a comprehensive tool, but it is also easy to use. Performance collection displayed in flexible graphic detail can be created in just a few minutes (see Figure 9.11).

FIG. 9.11
Performance metrics in
configurable displays
are ready for monitoring
and analysis.

Tracing Database Activity

Trace Manager is a comprehensive tool for collecting data for performance management, capacity planning, and workload management. By using the provided Application Programming Interface (API), Trace Manager can even collect information from third-party and custom applications. The Enterprise Manager Job component schedules collection of trace data on systems with remote agents. Job must be configured before using Trace Manager. The tool also uses its own repository and an Oracle Expert repository, which it builds the first time it is accessed by a user who hasn't used Expert or Trace.

To configure Trace Manager, it is necessary to create collections and discover Trace-enabled products. Once configured, collections are launched to pull data from Trace-enabled software. Oracle Trace is a flexible tool with many data collection capabilities enabled from both the remote application code and the Trace Manager. The documentation in the current release consists of two volumes totaling 275 pages. Setup requires Enterprise Manager Console with

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