Oracle DBA
Pavan Dhage
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Oracle DBA
Oracle Database Architecture
Understanding Oracle Database Architecture: A Quick Overview
Oracle Database, developed by Oracle Corporation, is a widely adopted Relational Database
Management System (RDBMS). Known for its high performance, scalability, and reliability,
it powers a wide range of enterprise applications. Oracle supports various programming
languages and development tools, making it a flexible choice for developers and database
professionals.
Key Features Include:
• Support for data warehousing, transaction processing, and advanced analytics
• Built-in capabilities for high availability, disaster recovery, and strong security
Oracle follows a client-server architecture where:
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Oracle DBA
• The server manages data and system resources
• The client interacts with the server to query or update data
Common interaction tools include SQL, PL/SQL, and Java, along with management
tools like SQL*Plus and Oracle Enterprise Manager.
Core Components of Oracle Architecture:
Instance Components (Memory + Processes)
The Oracle instance is made up of two primary components:
1. SGA (System Global Area) – A shared memory region for managing data and control
information
2. Background Processes – Tasks like writing data to disk, monitoring other processes, and
system recovery
Important SGA Subcomponents:
• Database Buffer Cache – Caches frequently used data blocks
• Redo Log Buffer – Records all changes for recovery purposes
• Shared Pool – Stores SQL execution plans and parsed statements
• Large Pool & Java Pool – Optimizes memory for large operations and Java-related
activities
Key Background Processes:
• SMON (System Monitor) – Handles instance recovery
• PMON (Process Monitor) – Oversees failed user processes
• DBWR (Database Writer) – Writes modified data to disk
• LGWR (Log Writer) – Writes changes from the redo log buffer
• CKPT (Checkpoint) – Updates data/control files with the latest checkpoint info
Database System Storage
Oracle's storage is categorized into several file types:
• Data Files – Store the actual user data
• Redo Log Files – Track all changes for recovery
• Control Files – Maintain metadata about the database state
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Oracle DBA
Other supporting files include:
• Parameter Files – Configuration settings for startup
• Password Files – Securely store authentication credentials
Processes in Action:
• User Process: Represents client-side interactions
• Server Process: Executes SQL and manages data retrieval for users
Interview Questions
1. What is an Oracle Instance? How is it different from a database?
Answer:
An Oracle Instance is a combination of memory structures (SGA) and background processes
that manage database operations.
A Database, on the other hand, is a collection of physical files (data files, control files, redo log
files) stored on disk.
Instance = Memory + Processes
Database = Physical Storage (files)
2. What is the role of the SGA in Oracle Architecture?
Answer:
The System Global Area (SGA) is a shared memory region allocated when the instance starts. It
stores:
• Frequently accessed data blocks (Buffer Cache)
• Parsed SQL statements (Shared Pool)
• Transaction logs (Redo Log Buffer)
• Java objects (Java Pool)
• Backup operations (Large Pool)
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Oracle DBA
3. What are the key components of the SGA?
Answer:
Main components include:
• Database Buffer Cache – Stores copies of data blocks from datafiles
• Redo Log Buffer – Holds redo entries for recovery
• Shared Pool – Contains parsed SQL, PL/SQL, and execution plans
• Large Pool – Handles large memory allocations (e.g., RMAN backups)
• Java Pool – Supports Java code execution in the database
4. What is the function of the Redo Log Buffer and Redo Log Files?
Answer:
• Redo Log Buffer (in SGA): Temporarily stores changes made to the database.
• Redo Log Files: Permanently store redo entries written by Log Writer (LGWR) for
recovery.
Used for instance recovery in case of system failure.
5. Explain the role of background processes in Oracle.
Answer:
Important background processes include:
• SMON – Performs crash recovery & instance recovery
• PMON – Cleans up failed user sessions
• DBWR – Writes dirty buffers from SGA to datafiles
• LGWR – Writes redo entries from memory to redo log files
• CKPT – Signals DBWR to write checkpoints to control/data files
6. What is the purpose of the Control File in Oracle?
Answer:
The Control File is a binary file that tracks:
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Oracle DBA
• Database name and creation time
• File names and locations (data, redo logs)
• Checkpoint information
• Backup details
It is essential for database startup and recovery.
7. What happens when you start an Oracle Database?
Answer:
Startup goes through three stages:
1. Nomount – Reads initialization parameter file and starts instance
2. Mount – Reads control files
3. Open – Opens data files and allows user access
8. What is the role of the DBWR process?
Answer:
Database Writer (DBWR) writes modified (dirty) data blocks from the buffer cache in SGA to
datafiles on disk. This helps reduce disk I/O and improve performance.
9. What is the difference between User Process and Server Process?
Answer:
• User Process: Initiated by the client to connect to the database.
• Server Process: Works on behalf of the user process to execute SQL, retrieve data, and
perform DB operations.
10. What files are necessary to start an Oracle Database?
Answer:
1. Parameter file (init.ora or spfile.ora) – Startup configuration
2. Control file – Metadata of the DB
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Oracle DBA
3. Data files – Actual data
4. Redo log files – Changes for recovery
5. (Optional) Password file – Authenticates privileged users
Pavan Dhage
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