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Home > Archive > Oracle certifications > May 2002 > Which books??
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| CisXco 2002-05-05, 6:14 am |
| Hi Guys,
I'm a network administrator so please excuse me for the lack of Oracle knowledge.
Anyway, I've just inherited an Oracle 8i database running on Windows NT and have been told that I'm the DBA.
I know how to do exports and create user accounts but not much else. My question is which books are best to teach me how to be a proper DBA - I am not interested in taking any exams, I just need to manage the database. Is the Oracle 8i for dummies any good?
I'd appreciate any advice you guys can give me. | |
| laloca 2002-05-05, 11:55 am |
| there are good and bad news for you:
Good: Oracle is very "beginner-tolerant" ... as long as there is enough disk space left, you restart the database/box regulary and check the export logs (having an dmp-file doesn't mean you can use it after loosing data) there is time to learn some practical database handling.
Bad: I don't know a book which covers all duties, responisibilities, tips&tricks, code and examples for a DBA-job, but Oracle for dummies is not a bad start getting an overview.
I hope the database is not mission critical - if so make it clear to the management that you can't be made responsible in case of trouble. INSIST to have a support contract with Oracle - then you can call Oracle support and/or use Oracle metalink how to deal with critial situations. Negotiate some Oracle education. 
Some things you urgently need to know:
* stop/start the Oracle instance and the listener
* check the status of datafiles
* add datafiles to tablespaces
* some SQL basics to check the database status and data dictionary
* reading log-files (alert-log, dumps of background processes)
* Oracle networking issues
There are many useful sources in the internet:
http://technet.oracle.com (need to register, but its for free --> complete Oracle reference/manuals)
http://asktom.oracle.com (tips & tricks)
news://news.chello.at/comp.databases.oracle.server (everything oracle server related, many helpfull professional dba's there)
http://www.uaex.edu/srea/bkupreco.htm (backup and disaster recovery)
and, and, ....
and of course this forum here ;-) | |
| CisXco 2002-05-05, 12:27 pm |
| Thanks for the info & the advice, I appreciate it very much. The database is not mission critical as they have moved all that onto Oracle 8i on the unix platform. I get to babysit the leftovers!!
This database contains legacy data which needs to be kept for 7 years.
I was hoping to find a book that would teach me as I have difficulty reading off the VDU for prolonged periods also I can read it on the the train on the way to work - but most books that I have looked at seem to cater for the OCP exams. I guess I can always print off the stuff from the websites you mentioned.. thanks for the help  | |
| stecal 2002-05-07, 5:02 pm |
| 1) Oracle8i DBA Bible, IDG Books, authored by Jonathan Gennick.
2) OCP study guides by Sybex - good reference material aside from test prep info (look for these on eBay to get a good price)
3) Last choice - most anything by Oracle Press | |
| Skating Zebra 2002-05-22, 10:19 am |
| I'm in pretty much the same position as you are, and while the certification certainly helps you learn the most important parts of being a DBA, there's more that you need to know.
I am using the Oracle 8i DBA Handbook from Oracle press, and it seems to have a plethora of important information for the new and experienced DBA. The generic documentation (downloadable for free from Oracle.com) is also a must-have. I wound up reading the entire Oracle Concepts manual and then moved on to the DBA manual. While I don't understand every nuance in these books, I do know where to look if I have a problem now.
Hope this helps! | |
| kumar_rp 2002-05-23, 1:13 am |
| Hi,
I believed Oracle Press release Guide for Oracle DBA book will help you. |
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