If you’re database professional, you continuously face the challenge of improving database performance. Throwing hardware at the problem is a common solution to slow performance. And this approach often focuses on procuring SSD storage, servers, or CPU. But is ‘throwing hardware at the problem’ the right solution or is it just a big gamble? We […]
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This article will discuss the importance of the PLAN_TABLE and how to make sure you are using the correct one. The PLAN_TABLE, shown below, is used to produce SQL Explain Plans. When SQL is submitted to Oracle and processed (details to follow in other articles), an execution plan is created and used to process the […]
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The inventor of the relational model, Dr. Edgar Codd, was of the opinion that “[r]equesting data by its properties is far more natural than devising a particular algorithm or sequence of operations for its retrieval. Thus, a calculus-oriented language provides a good target language for a more user-oriented source language” (“Relational Completeness of Data Base […]
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Performance troubleshooting is one of the unique challenges every developer and DBA has to face. One of the major complaints about performance troubleshooting is utilization of resources. Few organizations resort to putting muscle power to scale up the system without analyzing the root cause of the performance problem. For example, a typical scenario might involve a SQL Server instance with memory […]
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Recently, I heard a story that was quite compelling. A retired naval officer used to get to the top of a bridge and keep waving his hand everyday around 8 PM. The passer-by used to think the elderly man had gone nuts and, after awhile, ignored his actions. One fine day, a stranger saw this and was […]
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Lately, the big IT buzzword is cloud solutions. In fact, if you believe all of the hype, most companies are moving en masse from on-premise solutions to cloud-based architectures. On the surface, the cloud-based solution certainly seems to be a more affordable solution that not only reduces the complexities of on-premise build-outs and maintenance, but […]
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Upgrades happen. Sometimes because business needs dictate them. Sometimes because IT requirements force them. Whether the SQL Server upgrade is just a patch or a full on major upgrade, the risk involved can strike fear into the heart of the database team. The fear even causes some to hold off on upgrades, which can deprive […]
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Working with SQL Server is always a challenge. As developers try to troubleshoot SQL Server performance problems, the first step that take is to look at the queries. This is the most basic step and most important step for most developers. Developers love these challenges of optimization because they can get the maximum visible performance improvements in their […]
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Keep a watchful eye on two key configuration parameters to maintain consistent performance. Server virtualization for Oracle databases is here–and it works, so it will be staying. As database administrators, we must adapt to the new architecture, while ensuring database performance and resiliency. A recent client problem involving a handful of critical applications revealed two […]
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Cloud is the next buzz word in the industry. If we were to quiz any CIO on what are some of the big bets they want to make in the next 6-12 months–using cloud will surely be one of them. Why has this new concept has caught on like forest fire? Why are organizations exploring […]
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TNS:could not resolve service name This error, seen as ORA-12154, means SQL*Net could not find the database alias specified for a database connection in the TNSNAMES.ORA file or other naming adapter. The database alias is specified after the “@” character in a database connection string. For example, if the connect string “SYSTEM/MANAGER@PROD” is used, “PROD” […]
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Learn about Oracle database maintenance, including best practices recommended by Oracle ACE and performance experts.
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