Oracle Database 12c: In-Memory Option

Starting with Oracle Database 12cR1 (12.1.0.2), a new static pool in the SGA is designed to store data in the columnar format and is called In-Memory Column Store (IMCS). Each table column is stored as a separate structure in IMCS. The In-Memory column store does not replace the buffer cache, rather supplements by storing data in columnar format.

Following the levels at which IMCS can be enabled at:

• Column
• Partition / sub-partition
• Table
• Materialized view
• Tablespace

The IMCS is populated by a set of background processes. Objects are populated into the IMCS either in a prioritized list soon after database start-up or after they are queried for the first time.

Like other Oracle Database Options, you make NO changes in your application to start benefiting from the In-Memory Option. It is completely transparent to the applications. Also, Oracle Optimizer is fully aware of the column format and automatically utilizing IMCS when required.

I plan to test and blog more on the In-Memory option. Following are few of the topics that I plan to post a blog entry on:

• Enable and disable In-Memory Option
• In-Memory Option at various levels
• In-Memory Space pressure
• In-Memory background processes
• In-Memory with compression levels
• In-Memory statistics
• In-Memory and Data Pump Export
• In-Memory with Multi-tenant Option

AWR Warehouse

AWR Warehouse is a central repository configured for long term AWR data retention. It stores AWR snapshots from multiple database sources. Increasing AWR retention in the production systems would typically increase overhead and cost of mission critical databases. Hence, offloading the AWR snapshots to a central repository is a better idea. Unlike AWR retention period of default 8 days, the AWR Warehouse default retention period is "forever". However, it is configurable for weeks, months, or years. 

For more information on AWR Warehouse click on the following link for a video tutorial. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StydMitHtuI&feature=youtu.be

Benefits of Single Tenant Deployments

While presenting at a database event, I had a question from one of the attendees on benefits of running Oracle databases in Single Tenant Configuration.  I thought this would be a nice if I post it on my blog as it would benefit others too.

From Oracle documentation, “The multitenant architecture enables an Oracle database to function as a multitenant container database (CDB) that includes zero, one, or many customer-created pluggable databases (PDBs). A PDB is a portable collection of schemas, schema objects, and non-schema objects that appears to an Oracle Net client as a non-CDB. All Oracle databases before Oracle Database 12c were non-CDBs”.

Following are the benefits of running databases in Single Tenant Configuration:

1. Alignment with Oracle’s new multi-tenant architecture
2. Cost saving. You save on license fee as single tenant deployments do not attract Multi-tenant option license fee. License is applicable should you have two or more PDBs.
3. Upgrade/patch your single PDB from 12.1.0.1 to 12.x easily with reduced downtime
4. Secure separation of duties (between CDBA & DBA)
5. Easier PDB cloning

I would recommend running all your production and non-production databases in single-tenant configuration (if you are not planning for consolidation using multi-tenant option) once you upgrade them to Oracle Database 12c. I expect to see single tenant deployments become the default deployment model for the customers.

Oracle Database Express Edition 11g Release 2: Released

Oracle Database Express Edition 11gR2 has been released. You may download the software and documentation following below links:

• Oracle Database Express Edition 11gR2 Software
• Oracle Database Express Edition 11gR2 Documentation

Happy downloading !!!

IOUG’s 2014 Exadata Virtual Conference

IOUG is organizing a two-day virtual Exadata Conference on 29-30 Jan, 2014. More importantly the virtual conference is FREE. Following is the agenda as per the IOUG's website:

29-Jan-2014 (Wednesday)

10-11am CST	Minimizing Risks with Database Consolidation on Exadata using I/O Resource Manager (IORM) Speaker: Sameer Malik, Exadata Technical Architect, Accenture
11am-12pm CST	Introduction to the New Oracle Database In-Memory Option Speaker: Kevin Jernigan, Senior Director, Oracle
12-1pm CST	Understand the Flash storage and Dynamic Tiering Solution for Traditional Database in Comparison of Exadata Flash Solution. Speaker: Amit Das, Database Engineering Architect, Paypal

30-Jan-2014 (Thursday)

10-11am CST	Oracle Exadata Technical Deep Dive Session Speaker: Yenugula Venkata RaviKumar, Senior Sales Consultant, Oracle India Pvt. Limited
11am-12pm CST	Exadata X4: What’s New Speaker: Mahesh Subramaniam, Director of Product Management, Oracle
12-1pm CST	Exadata for Oracle DBAs Speaker: Arup Nanda, Director, Starwood Hotels & Resorts

For more information and registration click on the below link:

http://www.ioug.org/exavirtual2014

I have registered myself for the two-day conference and hope to see you all there !!!

Oracle Database Security Assessment

Data Security has taken a front seat in terms of IT Security lately. Database security is an area of information security that is concerned with the use of security controls to protect databases. Organizations are trying to protect their databases from both internal and external threats. 

In this regard, Oracle has put up an online Database Security Assessment on their website. You may now check how secure your database is by answering few simple questions. 

Below is the link for Oracle's Database Security Assessment:

http://www.oracle.com/us/media/survey/index-191234.html


I am also sharing top ten most common database security vulnerabilities by ZDNet. Below is the link for the same:


http://www.zdnet.com/the-top-ten-most-common-database-security-vulnerabilities-7000017320/


Wishing you a secure database !!!