Apps DBA Certification

Oracle has now changed Oracle Apps DBA Certification track. New version now includes three exams focused on Apps DBA role (against previous Workflow & Sysadmin)

• 1Z0-235 Apps DBA Fundamental I
• 1Z0-236 Apps DBA Fundamental II
• 1Z0-233 11i Install patch and Maintain Applications
• Online or Instructor led training for one of above exams (Waive off if you clear above three exam before 31, May 2007)

For full detail of exam click here http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=97

First two exams are same as 9i OCP so if you are 9i or 10g OCP , In order to clear Apps DBA Certification Track you just have to clear one exam i.e. 1Z0-233 11i Install patch and Maintain Applications

Performance Overview

This Performance Tuning is an Overview of from where to start if users start complaining
that Oracle Applications

is running slow. If you have not read previous post on
Performance Checks on 11i visit

These steps might be hepful when your 11i oracle is running slow .

Steps mentioned below are for Apps 11i which may or may not fit in all your performance scenariosFirst as an Over view of Oracle Applications 11i check following things Broad Level Steps to Check

1. Is Gather stats schedule ? ( atleast weekly ?)

2. Is Purge Obsolete Workflow request & concurrent request purging scheduled ?

3. Is there any runaway process on database tier or application tier ? ( runaway process is process taking unexceptionally long time with high CPU or Memory usages)

4. Any Discoverer process taking long time or High CPU ? ( Usually on Middle tier like dis4ws..) 5. Any Custom report taking long time ?In order to understand problem betterAs Next level you should ask questions to yourself or person encountering performance issues like

1. Is whole application is slow or only component of application is slow (like only Concurrent manager running slow)

2. If this is paritular component like reports server slow then is a particular report or all reports are slow ?

3. Is performance issue during all time or at specific time lets say from 11AM to 4PM ?

4. Was performance issue popped up recently or performance degradation is since long ?

5. Whats changed recently ?Depending on answers you can start looking into application like if issue is specific to whole applications then check

1. If database initialization parameter is set correctly ?

2. If application sizing is proper , server configuration is enough to accomodate all users ?

 Is your applications sized properly ?
Is initialization parameters set up correctly ?
Are there any runaway processes in oracle database tier or application tier ?
Is network connectivity between users & application server is fine , there is no delays ?
Latest techstack including jdbc drivers, forms, database, jdk can improve performance
considerably Check if system level trace is enabled ?
Is Purge schedule ?
Is gather stats scheduled ?

If Issue is with only particular type of reports
Check if there are no performance bugs with that module ?
Are you on latest patchset for that product ?
Is it standard report or custom ? (If custom enable trace & use tkprof, If standard then
check in metalink if there is any issues reported by others)
If Issue is only during particular time lets say during night Check what's running during that time Is it because of backups ?
Is it because all resource intensive requests running in night ?

If Issue is with specific users Check
if trace is enabled at user level ?
Is user client machine performing well ?
Is connectivity from client machine to server fine ?

This is just overview or starting point to check Performance Issues in Oracle applications
11i for Tuning Individual component like , Apache, JVM, Concurrent manager I'll post in my
future posts.

One of reader asked how to schedule Gather Stats or How to schedule Purge Concurrent
Program or Obsolete workflow data.
These are concurrent requests & if you have "System Administrator Responsibility" login
with that then go to Request -> View -> Select "Specific Request" and under "Name" Text
Search for following requests
Gather Schema Statistics ( supply parameter schema name , apps & others)
Purge Concurrent Request and/or Manager Data ( supply retention period usually 90 days)Purge Signon Audit data
Purge Obsolete Workflow Runtime Data
Purge Obsolete Generic File Manager Data
If you are not aware of what is concurrent request or how to check don't worry wait for sometime till we come to sysadmin section & I'll update what to read & from where to read about Oracle Application Sysadmin related to concurrent requests.

If you want to understand How to proceed with Oracle Applications 11i tuning check Metalink Note 69565.1 A Holistic Approach to Performance Tuning Oracle Applications Systems (Though quite old guide from year 2001 but good for approach)

Install 10g Application Server

So first get ready with study material.

Where to find 10g Application Server Study Material ?
For 10g Application Server check
10g Application Server Documentation, Click Here . This is documentation for Application Server 10.2.0.2 as this is the latest currently

So lets Start with Installation of 10g Application server , you can see Installation guide from above location or from Installation Guide Click Here(This is for linux version)

Where to find Oracle 10g Application Server Software ?
Software for Installing 10g Oracle Application Server is available at http://edelivery.oracle.com/

What should ne Order of Installation ?
As OAS (Oracle Application Server consist of ) consist of OAS Middle Tier & OAS Infrastructure , you should first Install Infrastructure . Why ? because Middle Tier services need Infrastructure .

Can I install Infrastructure & Middle Tier under same ORACLE_HOME ?
No they can't be installed under same ORACLE_HOME they need separate ORACLE_HOME but they can be on single machine or separate machine(Your wish)


What in Installed under Infrastructure ORACLE_HOME ?
Under Infrastructure oracle_home you will have
database (which will hold data both configuration data & content data)
Oracle Internet Directory directory for user credential & other application information. (This inturn consist of DIP & replication oid will explain later )
Single Sign On (consisting on HTTP_Server, OC4J_Security)
Oracle Certifying Authority (Optional, will explain later don't install it at this minute)
High Availability (Optional, will explain later don't install it at this minute)

What in Installed under Middle ORACLE_HOME ?
depending upon type of MT Installation you selected you will see
WebCache (Cache to store information for better performance as well other uses like load balancing, reverse proxy ..)
J2EE (for java application)
HTTP_Server ( Oracle-Apache Webserver for accessing application over internet)
Portal
Wireless

So go through installation Guide mentioned above & put your comments if you have any doubts .

Pasta Printing

Today & in next post I'll cover on Pasta & XML publisher for printing . In order to understand Pasta first you need to understand why you need Pasta in Printing & later about what is pasta & how to implement it in Oracle Applications.

In order to understand need for Pasta , you should know about PostScript...

What is Post Script ?
As per WebOPedia PostScript is primarily a language for printing documents on laser printers developed by Adobe Systems.

What is Pasta ?
Pasta is Oracle Application utility to convert text report files to Post Script so that these can be printed by PostScript Printres. Executable name for Pasta is FNDPSTAX
For various printing options via Pasta, you can use pasta configuration file called as pasta.cfg

How to Setup basic Pasta Printing in Oracle Applications ?
If you wish to use PostScript printer to print Text or Post script reports , you need to select printer type as "--Pasta Universal Printer" from list of values; while defining printer.

For more information on how to define printer check previous posts at

 

Well lot of my readers were pushing me to write on printer configuration and I was dragging it since long but now as I have started getting lot of mails of printer step(either for certification or for interview) so finally I decided to start with Printers Basics & to understand printers in Apps Understanding these basics terminology is quite important.




Printer Drivers : As you see in last section under Install -> Printer Section, driver delivers command to printer about how to output a specific print style. You can understand them as series of instructions used by print style for a particular printer.
Example of Drivers is A4HPLJ4



Printer Style : Tells printer how printed output should look, for ex. Number of lines in page, width of line , whether header to print or not. A printer can have more than one style as long as printer supports it. If a print style is available & registers for a particular printer then only it will be visible to user (In some CM reports these styles are predefined and can't be changed)
Example of Print Style is A4




Printer type : is to identify printer by manufacturer & model number for ex. HP laser Jet III

Printer Type form in Apps ( Install -> Printer -> Types) associate Style with Driver Name .
For Ex. with Printer Type HPLJ4 , you see style A4 & driver A4HPLJ4




SRW - Stands for SQL report writer driver file, Thing to Note w.r.t. SRW Driver file is that
If a report is for online viewing, report uses SRW named by print style in print style form.
If a report is for Printing , report uses SRW driver named by oracle Apps printer driver in Printer Drivers form.

Almost all standard Printer Types, Printer Driver & Printer Style are preconfigured in Apps. You just need to register your printer with Applications .
How to Register Printer in Oracle Apps ? 
First Printer which you want to configure should be able to print at Operating System Level from Concurrent Manager Machine.
You can issue lp command. Don't proceed until you can print via Operating System command lp from CM node. Once printer is configured at O.S. Level , ask Unix System administrator name with which they have configured printer at O.S. Level.
Collect printer type information, it should be like HP , APPLE , EPSON ...

Login to Oracle Applications with System Administrator Responsibility & click on Install -> Printer -> Register then under Printer Tab enter name by which printer is defined at CM node at O.S. Level. In Type define type of printer like HP , EPSON , APPLE. In Description enter some sensible description . This completes registration of your printer on your Oracle Application.
Now test this printer by submitting some request & selecting recently configured printer & you should be able to print.

There are two other printing options in oracle apps using PASTA & XML . If I get request on printing using PASTA utility or XML utility then I'll discuss them in future .

Where to find more information on Pasta Printing ?
You can get everything related to Pasta advanced configuration in Oracle Applications System Administration Guide, Volume 1 Part No. A96155-03 , chapter 7-13 Printer Setup with pasta

Additional Metalink Resource for Pasta Printing

356501.1 How to Setup Pasta Quickly and Effectively
267026.1 How To Set The PASTA Debug Option
239196.1 PASTA 3.0 Release InformationNote
358879.1 The Pasta Landwide Driver Truncates / Cuts Off The Right Side Of The Report 179801.1 Printing and Previewing Arabic Reports using PASTA in Oracle Apps 11i
308949.1 How To Print Reports In PDF Format Directly From The Concurrent Manager 135137.1 PASTA Required For Printing With UTF8 For Any Release Of 11.5

Printing Overview

Well lot of my readers were pushing me to write on printer configuration and I was dragging it since long but now as I have started getting lot of mails of printer step(either for certification or for interview) so finally I decided to start with Printers Basics & to understand printers in Apps Understanding these basics terminology is quite important.




Printer Drivers : As you see in last section under Install -> Printer Section, driver delivers command to printer about how to output a specific print style. You can understand them as series of instructions used by print style for a particular printer.
Example of Drivers is A4HPLJ4



Printer Style : Tells printer how printed output should look, for ex. Number of lines in page, width of line , whether header to print or not. A printer can have more than one style as long as printer supports it. If a print style is available & registers for a particular printer then only it will be visible to user (In some CM reports these styles are predefined and can't be changed)
Example of Print Style is A4




Printer type : is to identify printer by manufacturer & model number for ex. HP laser Jet III

Printer Type form in Apps ( Install -> Printer -> Types) associate Style with Driver Name .
For Ex. with Printer Type HPLJ4 , you see style A4 & driver A4HPLJ4




SRW - Stands for SQL report writer driver file, Thing to Note w.r.t. SRW Driver file is that
If a report is for online viewing, report uses SRW named by print style in print style form.
If a report is for Printing , report uses SRW driver named by oracle Apps printer driver in Printer Drivers form.

Almost all standard Printer Types, Printer Driver & Printer Style are preconfigured in Apps. You just need to register your printer with Applications .

A lot more on how to register printers in Oracle Applications , Pasta Printing & using XML for printer in next Updates ..

For those whose mails I have not responded yet , thanks a lot for your patience I will try to respond you all ASAP .

Configuring Printers

If you have not read my previous post about printers basics , I'll suggest you to first read & understand basic terminology in Configuring Apps Printer like Printer Type, Style, Drivers Below

Printer Drivers : As you see in last section under Install -> Printer Section, driver delivers command to printer about how to output a specific print style. You can understand them as series of instructions used by print style for a particular printer.
Example of Drivers is A4HPLJ4



Printer Style : Tells printer how printed output should look, for ex. Number of lines in page, width of line , whether header to print or not. A printer can have more than one style as long as printer supports it. If a print style is available & registers for a particular printer then only it will be visible to user (In some CM reports these styles are predefined and can't be changed)
Example of Print Style is A4




Printer type : is to identify printer by manufacturer & model number for ex. HP laser Jet III

Printer Type form in Apps ( Install -> Printer -> Types) associate Style with Driver Name .
For Ex. with Printer Type HPLJ4 , you see style A4 & driver A4HPLJ4




SRW - Stands for SQL report writer driver file, Thing to Note w.r.t. SRW Driver file is that
If a report is for online viewing, report uses SRW named by print style in print style form.
If a report is for Printing , report uses SRW driver named by oracle Apps printer driver in Printer Drivers form.

Almost all standard Printer Types, Printer Driver & Printer Style are preconfigured in Apps. You just need to register your printer with Applications .

How to Register Printer in Oracle Apps ?
First Printer which you want to configure should be able to print at Operating System Level from Concurrent Manager Machine.
You can issue lp command. Don't proceed until you can print via Operating System command lp from CM node. Once printer is configured at O.S. Level , ask Unix System administrator name with which they have configured printer at O.S. Level.
Collect printer type information, it should be like HP , APPLE , EPSON ...

Login to Oracle Applications with System Administrator Responsibility & click on Install -> Printer -> Register then under Printer Tab enter name by which printer is defined at CM node at O.S. Level. In Type define type of printer like HP , EPSON , APPLE. In Description enter some sensible description . This completes registration of your printer on your Oracle Application.
Now test this printer by submitting some request & selecting recently configured printer & you should be able to print.

There are two other printing options in oracle apps using PASTA & XML . If I get request on printing using PASTA utility or XML utility then I'll discuss them in future .

If you would like to find out version of any oracle apps component like Forms Version , Apps version , Jinitiator version , JDBC version, operating system version .. 

Workflow Mailer in Apps

On popular request from my readers, I need to take a break from Oracle Identity Management Updates and need to Update on Oracle Workflow Notification Mailer.

Oracle Workflow in itself is a Product which is tough to cover in this blog but I am going to cover few important & frequently used components from Oracle Apps DBA point of view which is Workflow Notification Mailer .

Currently with OWF.H (Oracle Work Flow Minipack H) or 11.5.10 Oracle Applications Uses Java Mailer & before that it used to be C Mailer. Some of you who are on 11.5.8 or lower version might still be using wfmail.cfg under FND_TOP . Configuration is quite simple via OAM (Oracle Application Manager) provided you or your unix team setup inbound & outbound mails set up correctly. Notification Mailer will inturn use Operating System command/mail for inbound(for receiving mail) & outbound(for sending mails). At end of this post you can find few metalink notes which cover all things you require to configure Workflow Notification Mailer.
In 11.5.10 Java Notification Mailer is available out of the box , you simply need to configure via Oracle Application Manager .
Below metalink Notes should be enough to configure Workflow Notification Mailer & troubleshooting Mailer ..

Related Links

Metalink Note #

268085.1 Configuring the Oracle Workflow 2.6/11i.OWF.H Java-based Notification Mailer with Oracle Applications 11i

164871.1 Configuring the Workflow Notification Mailer in Oracle Applications Manager 11i

172174.1 WF 2.6: Oracle Workflow Notification Mailer Architecture in Release 11i

Discoverer Overview

One of my readers reminded me that I have not covered on discoverer for Apps DBA yet so thought of putting some bits and pieces for you on Discoverer and later on How to Integrate Discoverer 10g with Oracle Apps 11i. So lets start this discussion about overview & things you should know about Discoverer as Apps DBA.

Whats is Discoverer Server ?
Discoverer is and ad hoc query, reporting, analysis and publishing tool which help business users to get quick access to information from datawarehouse or OLTP systems. In Apps, Discoverer version 4i used to be installed & configured out of the box which is desupported now. You should configure Apps with Discoverer 10g (I am going to cover about how to configure discoverer 10g with E-Business Suite)

What should I know about Discoverer as an Apps DBA ?
Though each component in Apps like forms, reports, web server including Discoverer in itself are quite big and more you know about them better it is for you . Few Important things you should know about Discoverer in Apps is like how to start/stop & how to access it. In case of any issues you should be able to troubleshoot discoverer.

What is EUL ?
You will hear lot about EUL from business analyst which means End User Layer, which is the key to provide ease of use to underlying data in Oracle Apps Database.

Technical things about discoverer in Apps ..
--In Apps default discoverer version 4i, is installed under $ORACLE_HOME/discwb4
--Script to start discoverer server is addisctl.sh under $OAD_TOP/admin/scripts/$CONTEXT_NAME
-- This script in turn start discoverer processes which can be start by startall.sh under $ORACLE_HOME/discwb4/util (This script is different from adstrtal.sh)
-- startall.sh calls scripts like startgatekeeper.sh, startlocator.sh , startoad.sh, startosagent.sh to start gatekeeper, locator, oad & osagent resp.
-- In Apps two major way to access EUL is via Discoverer view & Discoverer Plus edition (You can use Discoverer Administration Edition as well)

Quiz to reader :
A. How will you find discoverer version in Apps ?
B. What URL you use to access Disco viewer & Disco plus .

Post your answers via comments

Stay tuned to check
How to install 10g Discoverer & configure with Oracle Applications 11i

Coming Soon .....

Template Files in Autoconfig

If you are reading Autoconfig post on this site read my previous post to understand about Autoconfig

 Autoconfig basics

What is Autoconfig ?
Autoconfig is tool in Apps to configure oracle Applications 11i , Application Tier as well Database Tier.

How to run Autoconfig ?
If you want to configure database tier then you have to execute autoconfig script adautocfg.sh on database tier else if you want to configure on application tier (Middle Tier ) then you have to execute one on middle tier .

Here is the script location
For Database tier its $ORACLE_HOME/appsutil/scripts/$CONTEXT_NAME
For Application Tier its $OAD_TOP/admin/scripts/$CONTEXT_NAME

adautocfg.sh calls adconfig.sh from $AD_TOP/bin which inturn calls adconfig.pl from $AD_TOP/bin

Don't forget to take backup before executing autoconfig.

What source of information for Autoconfig to update configuration files ?
If you are wondering where is configuration information stored about your apps 11i instance based on which it updates your Instance then this file is xml file also called as Context file and its in $APPL_TOP/admin for Application Tier or $ORACLE_HOME/appsutil in Database Tier

I am going to unwrap this xml / context file which is most important file . If you get a chance open this file & go through it so wait for my next post on Context File Contents with explanation & how to put your customization so that Autoconfig can't overwrite them ..

 Unwrapping Autoconfig Config file, XML file or Context File

By now you might be aware that parameters used to configure oracle Applications 11i are stored in XML file of format SID_HOSTNAME.xml in $APPL_TOP/admin directory. I have seen that most of Apps DBA's are scared of executing Autoconfig or Context file (Believe me even I was in start that was way back in 2004) but if you know parameters associated with context file & if you are sure that its set correctly set you should not be worried about executing Autoconfig ( Even still you are not convinced take a back up of File System & execute it ).

I am going to discuss how well this xml file is configured & what are different tags in xml file & few important tags which will be helpful to you in understanding your oracle Applications from Apps DBA perspective .

So xml file also called as context file or autoconfig configuration file stores configuration in these main tags for Application Tier
---
oa_context : For Start of Context file & context related information
oa_system : System related information under this there are further sections which I'll discuss in next post
oa_host : Information specific to local hosts like users, groups, Apps User, Groups..
oa_install : Installation related information like type of FS, Installation Location
oa_environments : environment specific information this tag has further subsections
oa_processes : this section is related to processes for forms, apache, reports, cm i.e. for all services
oa_custom : This section contain any custom setting (If any)
I'll explain subsections under this main section in my coming posts & few important parameters

Now lets understand how Autoconfig populate/creates files , In order to understand whole process you as apps dba need to understand template files under each product top or tech stack directory in oracle Applications 11i.

These template directory are under each top as well as under $FND_TOP/admin/template . In order to explain here I am taking example on how Apache (Oracle Web Server) related files are created when you run Autoconfig.

If you go to $FND_TOP/admin/template directory, all template files related to iAS ORACLE HOME like http.conf , jserv.conf, zone.properties .. are stored in this their respective directories under template directory.

So template file to create httpd.conf is stored in $FND_TOP/admin/template
similarly template file for jserv.conf will be in
$FND_TOP/admin/template

In these directories you will see file like httpd.conf or jserv.conf with parameter like
ApJServGroup OACoreGroup 1 1 %s_weboh_oh%/Apache/Jserv/etc/jserv.properties (in jserv.conf under template directory)
or
ServerAdmin applmgr@%s_domainname% ( in httpd.conf under template directory)

Now when Autoconfig executes , its picks up these files & replaces parameters like
%s_weboh_oh% & %s_domainname% from Autoconfig Configuration File i.e. Context file or XML file of format SID_HOSTNAME.xml (Discussed in previous post)

So in my case for vision instance in xml file has these values
s_weboh_oh is /u01/applmgr/VIS11i/ora9/iAS
s_domainname is co.in

that's how all my configuration files are created on execution of Autoconfig .
Now there is one issue on executing Autoconfig file i.e. If you have put in some customization in any of these files it will be overwritten by Autoconfig.

How to preserve customization ...
important parameter/tags in xml context file
How to change Hostname or Domain name of Apps Server
Coming in future posts ....

Autoconfig Config File

Yesterday I discussed about Autoconfig & way to execute it on DB Tier & Application Tier on Oracle Applications 11i.

By now you might be aware that parameters used to configure oracle Applications 11i are stored in XML file of format SID_HOSTNAME.xml in $APPL_TOP/admin directory. I have seen that most of Apps DBA's are scared of executing Autoconfig or Context file (Believe me even I was in start that was way back in 2004) but if you know parameters associated with context file & if you are sure that its set correctly set you should not be worried about executing Autoconfig ( Even still you are not convinced take a back up of File System & execute it ).

I am going to discuss how well this xml file is configured & what are different tags in xml file & few important tags which will be helpful to you in understanding your oracle Applications from Apps DBA perspective .

So xml file also called as context file or autoconfig configuration file stores configuration in these main tags for Application Tier
---
oa_context : For Start of Context file & context related information
oa_system : System related information under this there are further sections which I'll discuss in next post
oa_host : Information specific to local hosts like users, groups, Apps User, Groups..
oa_install : Installation related information like type of FS, Installation Location
oa_environments : environment specific information this tag has further subsections
oa_processes : this section is related to processes for forms, apache, reports, cm i.e. for all services
oa_custom : This section contain any custom setting (If any)
I'll explain subsections under this main section in my coming posts & few important parameters

Similar broad section you will see in Database XML files as well but different sub section & different tags under that specific to database .
Few Important tags in XML file ....
How to preserve customizations from Autoconfig ...
How to create or edit Autoconfig XML file ...
Coming in future posts

I have huge pile up of mails so If I haven't responded to your mail yet, thanks for your patience I'll surely try to respond during this weekend on FCFS basis.
Send me feedback & things you want to hear from me.

Autoconfig Basics

am getting lots of request for Autoconfig so I thought lets start with this most powerful tool (in my views) in Oracle Apps .

What is Autoconfig ?
Autoconfig is tool in Apps to configure oracle Applications 11i , Application Tier as well Database Tier.

How to run Autoconfig ?
If you want to configure database tier then you have to execute autoconfig script adautocfg.sh on database tier else if you want to configure on application tier (Middle Tier ) then you have to execute one on middle tier .

Here is the script location
For Database tier its $ORACLE_HOME/appsutil/scripts/$CONTEXT_NAME
For Application Tier its $OAD_TOP/admin/scripts/$CONTEXT_NAME

adautocfg.sh calls adconfig.sh from $AD_TOP/bin which inturn calls adconfig.pl from $AD_TOP/bin

Don't forget to take backup before executing autoconfig.

What source of information for Autoconfig to update configuration files ?
If you are wondering where is configuration information stored about your apps 11i instance based on which it updates your Instance then this file is xml file also called as Context file and its in $APPL_TOP/admin for Application Tier or $ORACLE_HOME/appsutil in Database Tier

I am going to unwrap this xml / context file which is most important file . If you get a chance open this file & go through it so wait for my next post on Context File Contents with explanation & how to put your customization so that Autoconfig can't overwrite them ..

Cloning II

By reading my previous post about cloning you might have understood by now that Cloning Oracle Applications 11i E-Business Suite is method of creating replica of your source Instance.

Why I need a Clone ?
Your development team want to develop some custom functionality to Testing team want to test (load test/functional test) before taking some code to live system but they want exact replica of production apps 11i system including data. Answer to them is clone, Wish Oracle could release cloning of 10G Application Server Infrastructure Tier (Those who are supporting 10AS Portal/Discoverer can understand my pain )

Now lets explore what options/ methods are available for cloning
Till now (Aug 2006) there are two ways of cloning
Cloning 11i
Cloning 11i with Rapid Clone

Some DBA's asked me about cloning using Autoconfig (Yes earlier we used to do that but that is now automated & called as Cloning using rapid clone so rapid clone internally uses Autoconfig) Hope this answer their query.

so now question is why two ways of cloning
Well those who are not lucky enough to upgrade their system and are still on apps version 11.5.5 or lower & not autoconfig enabled have to use , Cloning rest other enjoy luxury of Rapid Clone.

Those who tried both cloning & rapid clone can explain how easy rapid clone is :-) (I am Lucky that all my Apps Instances are now on 11.5.8 and higher )

If you want to see how people used to clone earlier or if your system is 11.5.5 or lower & not yet Autoconfig enabled then you need this link
https://metalink.oracle.com/metalink/plsql/docs/CLONING.PDF

If your system is 11.5.6 or higher you need Metalink Note # 230672.1 , Cloning Oracle Applications Release 11i with Rapid Clone

Now you enjoy reading above cloning document & tomorrow I'll discuss difference between Autoconfig & Rapid Clone & other Rapid clone feature .

Those who have requested for Backup, Workflow in 11i & other topics I am going to post after cloning & patching. If you need information on any other post , leave comment on any blog (I read all comments & definitely reply , so do leave comments )

Cloning I

Now I assume that you are familiar with

Overview & Architecture of Oracle apps 11i
Installation procedure of oracle apps 11i
File System & Various TOPs in Apps 11i
How to Start Stop various Services in Oracle Apps 11i ( like Apache, CM, Report, Apps Listener, Database, DB listener )

If not first please go through following topics to familiarize yourself with Oracle Applications 11i

from Today I will take tasks / roles which Apps 11i DBA perform like cloning patching , configuring using Autoconfig. So today lets start with basics of cloning .

In order to fully Understand cloning basics , I suggest you go through Chapter 6 , Cloning
at http://download-uk.oracle.com/docs/cd/B25516_08/current/acrobat/11iconcepts.pdf

Go through page (75 - 78) just four page to understand basics of cloning in Applications 11i . Various topics in that are Cloning Tools, Cloning Options , Rapid Clone Operations. This will give you overview of cloning oracle apps 11i steps . If you have any doubts in over view of cloning apps 11i instance , leave your comments .

In next post We'll take closer look at Cloning , rapid clone , difference between rapid clone & Autoconfig.

Clone Apps 11i Instance

Another important & useful utility under AD_TOP which you and me as apps dba perform quite often i.e. Cloning Oracle Application 11i Instance.

Cloning is process of creating replica of your source apps 11i Instance ( lets say you have one apps Instance with name VISIONTST and you want to create similar instance ( including same patches & user data) like VISIONPRD then you will use adclone utility (Also called as Rapid Clone these days). In this case source Instance will be VISIONTST and target Instance will be VISIONPRD. There are lot for scenario in which you wish to clone your E-Business Suite 11i Instance , like you want to Test if everything is OK in Test & then after testing want to create Production instance or you want to move your Instance from one machine to other machine or if you are highly experienced Apps DAB you can use clone as staged environment during Upgrade to reduce downtime ( this concept is called as staged appl_top or staged patching/upgrade , p.s. this is different from shared APPL_TOP)

So here I am putting broad level steps you will use to clone apps instance .

Step1 . Prerequisites Steps you do before start cloning using rapid clone
1.1 Verify source and target nodes software versions
1.2 Apply the latest AutoConfig Template patch
1.3 Apply the latest Rapid Clone patches

Step2 . Clone Source to Target
2.1 Run preclone on DB tier
2.2 Run preclone on Apps or middle tier
2.3 Copy source file system to target file system
2.4 Configure db tier
2.5 Configure apps/middle tier

Step 3 Finishing Task
3.1 Update profile options
3.2 Update printer settings (If printers are not configured or you don't want to use printer you can skip this step)
3.3 Update workflow configuration settings (Important)

If you need to know about cloning steps in detail , please leave a comment on this post or drop a mail to me at v.sundeepreddy@gmail.com . For detailed steps check Metalink Note # 230672.1
In next post I will talk about Frequently Asked Questions in Apps 11i Interviews about cloning .

Don't forget to leave comment about what you want to hear & any confusion if you have in apps 11i.

Different TOP's in Application 11i

If you want to learn apps dba or want training in apps dba and going through this documentation you might be confused to see again & again that everybody is talking about & its quite difficult to unserstand any topic without knowing what the hell is different tops like APPL_TOP , COMMON_TOP or what eaxctly is TOP ?
For me TOP is nothing but top level directory & preceded by related software . So TOP is top level directory in file system or oracle 11i software .
If you have done 11i or oracle application Installation by now ( if not please go though my training for apps dba in my previous posts) Oracle Installer Installs Apps 11i in DB Tier & Application Tier : so lets take Application Tier you will see three directories under your base Installation directory, these diretories are APPL, ORA & COMN (Check pic. at left top of this page) so directory APPL is called as APPL_TOP i.e. top appl directory where files & directories related to different Application ( like GL General Ledger, PO Purchase Order..) exists. If You are DBA you can correlate it with your Oracle database software installation (I know after reading this example you will say its weird but believe me thats how understood it initially , ORACLE_HOME can be called as ORA_TOP , network directory you can say TNS_TOP )
Under ( ORA_TOP ) you will see diretcory related to oracle home , there are two oracle HOME's in Application Tier 8.0.6 for Forms & Reports , iAS for 9iAS acting as web server)
COMN_TOP will contain files & directories which will be used commonly by all components ( Isn't this simple to understand )
similarly
IAS_TOP is top files/directory under ORA_TOP/iAS I hope it might be clear to you now if not donot worry it will be more clear once you start working as Apps DBA.
I am attaching few screenshot of other mount points ( Courtsey oracle 11i concepts guide , below is location if you want to read .
http://download-uk.oracle.com/
docs/cd/B25516_08/current/
acrobat/11iconcepts.pdf ( Add these three lines before putting in to browser , I have not put it in single line as it breaks my page layout )
So In this guide you will find few more screenshot of different TOP's , Go through Chapter 2 , Just 13 Pages ( 13 unlucky number for someone but if understand this chapter , it can be very lucky for you in your Apps DBA Career.

So here I conclude my TOP's Section , Please don't forget to leave feedback & what you want hear next.

Request Flow in Apps

Now since you know Basic Overview of Oracle Applications / apps 11i and Installation (If not read my previous posts) . When user makes a request how request flow across different component in E-Business Suite or Oracle applications .
By now you might be aware of different Services/Component in Oracle apps I repeat them here these are ,
1. Oracle Web Server ( Apache, Jserv, plssql ) IAS_ORACLE_HOME 9iAS, Ver. 10222
2. Forms Server ( 8.0.6 ) ORACLE_HOME
3. Report Server ( in side 8.0.6 ORACLE_HOME)
4. Concurrent Manager for Batch or Individual Job Processing
5. Admin Server ( These are used for application dba

job like patching , cloning

& lot more )
6. Database Server

A) So when User makes a request from browser by typing URL like http:// hostname : port so port number they mention is WebServer Port, request hit to Oracle WebServer ( these requests are recorded in logs where wait for next post )
B) Webserver checks that with http request there is no cookie attached (Cookie is message given by WebServer to Web Browser to identify client) so user is new & it passes login page to User .
C) User types his Username Password in login window & clicks submit button
D) Webserver checks that username and passwords need to authenticate against database FND_USER table , so it needs first some user to check client's username password in database . Guess which username password it uses ?? ( GUEST/ORACLE have you ever noticed why this user is there , Hope you know it now it Uses Guest User to autenticate your user in database )
E) Once user is authenticated its check against FND_RESPONSBILITY..(Confirm again , not sure table name) for Authorization about users responsibilities & assigned responsibilities are presented back to user.
F) Now these responsibilities are of two type Self Services(served by Jserv/Servlets) or Core Applications Server by Forms Server .
G) If this is Core responsibility , Apache transfers request to Forms Listener (Listening on Forms port, I will cover how to check Forms Port in my coming posts ), From here request is on Sockets (May be on forms servelets depending on forms config. ) which is persistense connection. From here onwards Client talks directly with Forms Server in forms session and if Client requested some data, forms server makes database connection ( How ?? using tnsnames.ora in 806 HOME or using dbc Database Connector file in FND_SECURE_TOP or wdbsvr.apps in Apache/modplsql/cfg ?) Post your answer in comment section, you can do it as anonymous user without login as well
H) If User selected Self Service Responsibility like iProcurement, iRecruitement.., Apache forwards request to mod_jserv and request is fullfilled by jserv_component.
Have you ever noticed why webserver donot ask client to login again until session timeout ??( I know you know answer now its because of cookies as User have valid cookies , try deleting cookies from browser & see Oracle Apache asks you to relogin .
I) When your webserver tries to connect to database for plsql or any other type of connection it asks mod_pls to fulfill request but where is this connection information stored ? ( dbc file or wdbsvr.app file or somthing else ? )
J) Users submits his requests for batch processing or somthing else ( Gather Stats done by Sysadmins or Apps DBA's) these kind of requests are fullfilled by Concurrent Manager ( More about CM, including CM tuning still to come in future )
G) When user want to see reports of all these things request is being forwarded to Reports Server .

You as Sysadmin or Oracle Apps DBA need not to worry how this request transmission happens from one service to another , this is transparent to you me or User . ( Let Oracle do this behind the scene ) You should know request flow as this is most crucial during Troubleshooting (I'll cover in future posts ) to pinpoint in which compnent issue is & where to look for .

If you like this post please tell it to your other Apps DBA friends & Other budding Oracle Apps DBA's . Please don't forget to leave comment & for Advanced Apps DBA , WebServer configuration file system & configuration files look my post at http://reddba.blogspot.com

Startup Shutdown Apps Services

Startup / Shutdown Apps

In our next topic in learning Oracle Apps DBA , this post covers startup & shutdown of Oracle Application DBA

As you are aware by now there is Database Tier ( Database & DB Listener ) and Application Tier ( WebServer, Forms, Reports, Concurrent Manager, Discoverer, Apps Listener, OnetoOne Fullfillment Server )

Order of StartUp of Services Should be
First DB Listener, Database & then Application Tier Services

Order of ShutDown of Services Should be
First Application Tier Services then Database & DB Listener

Database Startup/Shutdown Scripts
Depending on your AD Version these will be in ORACLE_HOME / appsutil/scripts /SID_hostname
addbctl.sh database startup shutdown script
addlnctl.sh database listener Script

Where

AD is for Application DBA
DB is for database
DLN is database listener
CTL is control

Isn't this easy to remeber ( Thanks to Oracle for naming convention)

-----
Application Tier Startup/Shutdown Scripts
Depending on your AD Version these will be in

OAD_TOP/admin/scripts/ SID_hostname

adalnctl.sh Apps Listener Control Script
adapcctl.sh Apache/Web Server Control Script
adcmctl.sh Concurrent Manager Control Script
addisctl.sh Discoverer Control Script
adfrmctl.sh Forms server Control Script
adrepctl.sh Report Server Control Script
adstpall.sh Stop All Middle/Application Tier
adstrtall.sh Start All Middle/Application Tier

Where AD & CTL you already know now :) isn't it

adl stand for Apps Listener
apc stand for Apache
cm Concurrent Manager
dis Discoverer
frm forms
rep report

Do you know whats Use of Apps Listener ? Check else I will post it in future post .
Check what Advertisers has to say on your right side of page .

Install Oracle Apps

This Post will Contain broad level steps of Oarcle apps Installation , this is just for Overview or High level step for Installing Apps. For details & exact commands refer to Oracle Installation Guide mentioned at bottom of this post .

Pre Instalaltion Steps

Check System requirement:
Software Requirenet : like ar, ld, make, gcc, make, Xdisplay - (Unix), MS C++, MKS
Toolkit (Windows)
CPU : It depends on Size, no. of Users ... ( For Test Installation don't worry)
Memory : SGA, Concurrent Users ( Usually 2GB should be enough for testing)
Disk Space : 26 GB Application Tier and for database Tier (35GB Production DB,
65 GB for Vision DB )
Once prechecks are done create User ( Single User or Two user ), with Single user will install both application tier and database tier and for Two user user1(oramgr) will install & own Database tier & user2(appmgr) will install & own Application Tier. (If you don't knwo what is application or database tier please go through my previous post).
Install MS XML Parser 3.0 Service pack 4 (Only if you are installing Apps in Windows)

Start Apps Installation
go to nstallation software ( either mounted on filessystem or Via CD ) & run rapidwiz ( For windows its rapidwiz.cmd)
Use rapidwiz -restart (If your Installation fails anytime in between , Good feature which Oracle incorporated quite late ;-) lucky you are that this option is there )

Installer will ask you some questions regarding system answer them
For Installation Step by Step screens refer Guide mentioned at bottom of this post , chapter 2 page 30 to 57 ( Just 27 pages , Hope its not too much :) )

Post Installation ( Though these are not required for Testing How apps Installation work)
few things which you might want to do after Installation
Update PL/SQL Log and Out directory
Configure DB Init parameter
Login to Apps
Download jinitiator on client PC ( It will automatically prompt to install on client machine when accessing forms)

For full Installation steps please refer guide at http://download-east.oracle.com/docs/cd/B25516_08/current/acrobat/r115102ins.pdf

Installing Oracle Applications

So lets start learning from how to become Oracle Apps DBA . This apps dba training is completely free only thing I am looking is your feedback & what you want to hear more, If you are reading this post first time I will recommend you that you start from first post i.e. from Saturday, 29 July 2006.I hope you as Oracle Apps DBA Understand basic Architecture

of Oracle E-Business Suite (If no read my first post ) .
Lets Start with Installation, You can start Installing Apps on Unix, Linux or Windows. I recommend Linux if not then Unix & finally Windows (I find it difficult working on windows as you need additional component to install E-Business Suite ) . For Installation Guide visit Oracle PDF at http://download-uk.oracle.com/docs/cd/B25516_08/current/acrobat/r115102ins.pdf This E-Business Suite Installation Guide consist of 166 pages & you need to Install all. Read Chapter 1-8 Single User Installation or Two User Installation. As by now you are aware that E-Business Applications Two Tier Database & Application , so first User Oxxxxx is for Database Tier

& Second User Axxxxxx for Application Tier. If you are new & Installing it first time better Install everything on Single Machine, Database Under User Oxxxxx and Middle Tier under Axxxxxx.
Then you can Install Oracle Applications by Inserting CD's one after other or by dumping all disks to one location ( Universal Installer will not prompt to insert CD if you staged/dump your CD on Machine it in proper way, Pg 1-12 , page 24 of Guide), If you are Installing Oracle Apps first time, Select Single Node(Also called Single Machine) Installation. Go to Chapter 2, on page 29 of Guide , you will see screen by Screen navigation path for Installation ( Believe me its very simple and just 30 pages all screens so nothing much to read ). After installation forget Chapter 3,4,5 (these are for Advanced Installation Option - Look them once you are comfortable with Simple Instalation) go directly to chapter 6 , Page 141 (This describes how to Check/Access Oracle E-Business Suite 11i Installation) Just 10 pages. So here complete your Oracle 11i Application & that biggest challenge in becoming Oracle Apps DBA . If you face any Issues during Installation post your problem in some Forum or Metalink , else drop a comment on this Post.

How to do Multi Node Installation on Apps 11i ?
If you are comfortable & now want to know how to do multinode Installation for Oracle Applications 11i then follow Chapter 3 (p65- p106) of guide Oracle applications Installation Guide Using Rapid Install Release 11i at http://download-uk.oracle.com/docs/cd/B25516_08/current/acrobat/r115102ins.pdf


Tomorrow I'll discuss file system & directories which you/dba's/apps dba have Installed today , What oracle application component sits where ? That will be helpful to understand you Oracle Application . Plsssssss leave comments on this post, depending on that I'll get feedback if its useful or am I wasting your & my time .

Apps Architecture

This Topic is quite important and I recommend you to go through this thoroughly.
First I want to discuss terminology which you will encounter here & in most of Oracle Documentation.

Server - is a process or group of processes and provides a particular functionality/service For example, Database Server listen and process database requests, similarly Web Server listens for and processes HTTP requests.

Tier - is a logical grouping of services, may be on single machine or spread across more than one physical machine. For Example, Middle Tier in Oracle apps consist Form,Web,Report...Services. Forms & Report can be one machine 1 & Web Server can be on machine 2, still they will be part of same tier called as Application Tier or Middle Tier.

Node - is referred as Machine, Each tier may consist of one or more node and each node can potentially have more than one tier.

Desktop Tier - Oracle Applications/E-Business Suite is built on three tier Architecture with first Desktop Tier ic client machines accessing applications via browser(HTML based Self service applications) or Java Applet(Jinitiator) for Form based interface.

Application/Middle Tier - Second is Application Tier also called as middle tier consists of WebServer Forms, Reports, Concurrent processing, Discoverer and Admin Server. I suppose its known as Middle tier because it lies between our desktop & third tier called database tier.

Database Tier - Third is Database Tier contain Orale database server which store all your application data. I am sure if you are DBA you know it :)

About Architecture of Individual Component like , Web Server, Form Server .... I will cover in my future posts.