Oracle Apps DBA
Oracle Apps DBA
1. DB Components:
Oracle_Home
Oracle Home contain oracle softwre binaries , Database utilities (SQLPLUS,TNSPING,EXPDP,IMPDB,DBCA,LSNRCTL
etc).
Configuration files: Networkfiles (listener.ora,tnsnames.ora,sqlnet.ora)
Patching utilities (Opatch utilities)
Log and Diagnostic files
Java and PL/SQL componens
Libraries and modules ( which supports oracle specific functionalities)
Directory structure inside Oracle_Home:
Bin/ executables like>>lsnrctl,sqlplus
Network/admin/: tnsnme.ora,listener.ora
Dba/:db initialisation parameters
Rdbms/:core db engine files and libraries
Lib/:shred libraries
Log/:log from oracleinstaller or tools.
Opatch/:tools for applying patches.
2.Difference between 8i, 9i, 10g, 11g and 12c databases as per your experience.
A: Differences Between Oracle Versions:
8i: Introduced Internet features, Java in the database, and Query Cache.
9i: Added Real Application Clusters (RAC), XML support, and automated undo management.
10g: Introduced Grid computing, Automatic Storage Management (ASM), and AWR/ADDM.
11g: Added Active Data Guard, SQL Plan Management, and better compression techniques.
12c: Introduced Multitenant Architecture (PDB/CDB), In-Memory Option, and JSON support.
Each version enhanced scalability, performance, and manageability, with 12c focusing on cloud readiness and
multitenancy.
Application cloning:
1. Stop the application server
2. Run adpreclone.pl on source application tier. (it create necessary cloning
template)
3. Backup the application tier – filesystem and database.
4. Restore the application files on the target.
5. Run adcfgclone.pl on target system
6. Run autoconfig to apply configurations.
7. Start the application
8. Run gather stat schema
9. Do the application validations.
48. How autoconfig will create env and configuration files? imp
Autoconfig will go to each and every top template directory take the templates from there and fill the
values from the XML file and create the required files.
1. Pre-configure Phase: Prepares the environment and checks for required settings.
2. Configure Phase: Configures various system components (e.g., database, application, etc.).
3. Post-configure Phase: Completes the configuration and applies the changes.
4. Clean-up Phase: Cleans up temporary files and restores the environment.
These parameters allow AutoConfig to configure the Oracle E-Business Suite environment according to your specific
setup.
4. You are cloning an Oracle EBS environment, and AutoConfig fails. How do you diagnose
and fix this issue?
A: Reason for autoconfig.sh failure
1.Missing environment variables
2. incorrect path and permissions in configuration files
3. Chances of context file.xml may not generate properly.
Diagosis:
1.chack autoconfig.log for error
2. I will check the contect file is properly generated or not
3. will check the template file consistency
After checking these all, add missing paths and proper permissions: again, will rerun autoconfig.sh
One of the concurrent server node is not running after cloning? How to check and resolve the issue?
2. I am applying a patch, can I open another session in another node and run adpatch?
(imp)
No, because it will create tables while running the first session when you start the 2nd session it will fail
due to the first
5. How to find opatch Version? For DB patch
Opatch is a utility to apply database patch, In order to find opatch version
execute”$ORACLE_HOME/OPatch/opatch version”
You can check OPatch -lsinventory
8. What is a patch?
A patch can be a solution for a bug/it can be a new feature.
10. How do you determine the pre-requisite patches before applying a patch?
A: Determining Pre-Requisite Patches Before Applying a Patch:
• Patch Documentation: Review the patch README and Oracle support documentation to
identify prerequisite patches.
• Oracle Support (My Oracle Support): Use Patch Wizard on Oracle Support to find
recommended and required patches for your environment.
• AD Check: Run adpatch or adadmin to check the current patch level and identify any
missing prerequisite patches.
• Patch Dependency Check: Verify dependencies in the patch README file, including
minimum versions for Oracle EBS, database, and OS versions.
$ $AD_TOP/ADMIN_TOP/dmin/scripts/ADAdmin
Choose : patch conflict check option
This generate report. review the report for any conflict.
17. How you will find whether a patch is applied/not? Iin 12.2.9 (imp)
SELECT bug_number FROM ad_bugs WHERE bug_number = “Patch number”;
18. What is the other table where you can query what are the patches applied? (IMP)
A: SELECT patch_name, applied_date FROM ad_applied_patches ORDER BY applied_date DESC;
22. What is the table you are ad patch will create and when? (imp) in adptch
A patch will create FND_INSTALL_PROCESSES and AD_DEFERRED_JOBS table when it will apply d,g, and u
drivers
23. What is the significance of the FND_INSTALL_PROCESSES and AD_DEFERRED_JOBS table? (imp)
FND_INSTALL_PROCESSES table will store the worker information like what job is assigned to which worker
and its status.
AD_DEFERRED_JOBS will come into the picture when some worker is failed, it will be moved to
AD_DEFERRED_JOBS table, from where again adpatch will take that job and try to resign, after doing this 3
times if still that worker is failing, then adpatch will stop patching and throw the error that particular
worker has failed. We need to troubleshoot and restart the worker.
25. While applying an application patch is that necessary that your database and listener should be up?
(imp)
Yes. why because adpatch will connect to the database and update so many tables etc…..
26. While applying a patch if that patch is failing because of a pre-req then how you will
apply that pre-req patch and resume with the current patch? (Imp)
We need to take the backup of FND_INSTALL_PROCESSES and AD_DEFERRED_JOBS tables and restart the
directory at APPL_TOP/admin/SID and then use adctrl to quit all the workers. Then apply the pre-req
patch, after that rename u r restart directory to its original name, and create FND_INSTALL_PROCESSES
and AD_DEFERRED_JOBS tables from the backup tables. Start adpatch session and take the options want
to continue the previous session.
30. How adpatch knows what are the pre-reqs for the patch to which it is applying? (imp)
With every patch a file called b.ldt file will be delivered which contains the pre-req information. adpatch
load this into the database using FNDLOAD and check, whether those pre-req patches were applied or not.
33. How adpatch will know the file versions of the patch delivered files? Imp
With each patch, a file with the name f.ldt is delivered, which contains the file versions of the files
delivered with the patch. Adpatch will use this file to compare the file versions of files it delivering with the
file on the file system.
Explore Latest Article on Oracle Performance Tuning Interview Questions that help you grab high-paying
jobs
34. What is the adpatch log file location? Imp
APPL_TOP/admin/SID/log
35. What are the worker log file name and its location?
adwork01,adwork02…… and location is APPL_TOP/admin/SID/log
36. How you will know what are files the patch is going to change just by unzipping the patch?
When u unzip a patch it will keep all the files related to a particular product under that directory inside u r
patch directory for example if the patch derectory files related to the FND product then it will create a
subdirectory under the patch directory with the name FND in which it will put all related files to that
product
37. What is the significance of the backup directory under your patch directory?
When we apply a patch it will keep the copy of the files which it's going to change in the file system.
38. What are the different modes you can run your adpatch?
1. Pre install mode– default mode – used to update AD utilities. – adpatch preinstall=y
2. Non-interactive – Use defaults files to store prompt values -
(adpatch defaultsfile= interactive=no)
3.Test – Without actually applying a patch just to check what doing. (adpatch apply=no)
4.Does Online Patching require the 11gR2 Oracle Database Edition Based Redefinition
(EBR) feature?
AA: Yes, Online Patching in Oracle E-Business Suite 12.2 requires the 11gR2 Oracle Database Edition-Based
Redefinition (EBR) feature.
EBR enables the use of multiple editions in the database, allowing patching to occur in a separate edition
while the current edition remains available for users.
This capability is fundamental to Oracle’s online patching model, as it minimizes downtime by isolating
changes until they are ready for deployment during the cutover phase.
5. How do I apply Oracle Fusion Middle-ware patches in Oracle E-Business Suite Release
12.2?
A: To apply Oracle Fusion Middleware (FMW) patches in Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12.2, follow these
general steps:
1. Review Documentation: Check the patch README for prerequisites and instructions.
2. Backup: Take a complete backup of your environment, including FMW and the database.
3. Prepare Environment: Stop services and set up environment variables for patching.
4. Apply Patches: Use the OPatch utility to apply the patches to the FMW components.
5. Verify and Restart: Verify the patch application, restart services, and check functionality.
20.what are the tables were created when you run adpatch?
A: When you run adpatch in Oracle E-Business Suite, several key tables are created or updated to manage
patching activities:
1. FND_CONCURRENT_REQUESTS – Tracks concurrent requests.
2. FND_CONCURRENT_PROGRAMS – Stores information about concurrent programs.
3. FND_LOAD_FILES – Manages files loaded during patches.
4. FND_PRODUCT_GROUPS – Defines product groupings.
5. FND_PATCH_HISTORY – Records patch history.
These tables help manage and log patching activities and ensure consistency throughout the process.
22. what are the tables were created when we run adop?
A: After running adop (Oracle E-Business Suite online patching), several important tables are created or
updated to support the patching process:
1. FND_PATCHES – Tracks patches applied to the system.
2. FND_INSTALLATIONS – Stores installation details and configurations.
3. FND_ADOP_FILES – Manages files used during the patching process.
4. FND_ADOP_PUTS – Tracks the patching status.
These tables help in managing and tracking the online patching process, ensuring smooth application and
rollback of patches.
7. You need to apply a critical patch to an Oracle EBS environment. What is your patch
application process, and how do you minimize downtime?
A: TO minimize the downtime of application server I will prefer ADOP Online patching method.
1. Always first try to apply patches on staged environments which are cloned from production.
2.Ensure have full backup before you continue patching
3. Use shared file system for multimode system to avoid apply patches separately on each node.
4. Increase the workers(Backgroud processes)
5.Automate post patching steps. Run autoconfig.sh
6. schedule downtime for only cutover.
8. During the application of a patch, you encounter the error “The patch cannot be
applied because one of the required files is missing.” How would you resolve this? (imp)
A: 1. Always ensure you apply pre req patches as per README file.
2.Chech patchlog file and try to understand the issue.
3. Run adadmin
4. Choose ‘ Maintain Application files ‘Generate missing file’.
5 Now gain try to apply patch.
If you face same error, raise SR with oracle.
17. After a failed patch application, your EBS system is not starting. What steps would you
follow to bring it back online?
A: To bring an Oracle EBS system back online after a failed patch application:
1. Check Logs:
• Review ad.log* and install.log* files to identify any specific errors during the patch
application.
2. Rollback the Patch:
• Use the AD Administration utility to rollback the patch:
adadmin
• Select “Rollback” option to undo the failed patch.
These steps should help bring the system back online after a failed patch application.
5. What is the significance of the “run” and “patch” file systems in EBS 12.2?
A: In Oracle EBS 12.2, the “run” and “patch” file systems are crucial for online patching (ADOP), enabling
minimal downtime during patch application.
Benefits:
• Zero Downtime: Ensures business continuity during patching.
• Efficient Recovery: Enables rapid rollback to the previous stable environment if necessary.
6. How would you troubleshoot an issue if the ADOP prepare phase fails?
A: To troubleshoot an ADOP prepare phase failure in Oracle EBS 12.2:
1. Check Logs: Review error logs in $AD_TOP/logs/ for detailed messages.
2. Verify Patch Directory: Ensure the patch is staged correctly and check for permission issues.
3. System Resources: Check disk space and memory using df -h and free -m.
4. Permissions: Confirm that the user has appropriate permissions on run and patch file
systems.
5. Database Connectivity: Validate database access using tnsping.
6. Retry: After resolving issues, rerun the prepare phase:
adop phase=prepare
Patching in R12.2
11. Online Patching in R12.2: Allows patches to be applied without downtime by maintaining
two environments: one for running and one for patching.
12. Phases of Online Patching:
13. Patch Edition (PATCH) vs Run Edition (RUN): PATCH holds the changes during patching, and
RUN is the live, operational environment.
14. Hotpatch: A type of patch that applies changes to the system without taking it offline.
15. Checking Patch Environment: Use tools like adadmin to ensure that the patch environment
is properly set up.
2. How do you monitor and troubleshoot RAC node failures in an Oracle Apps environment?
Answer:
• Use Clusterware logs (e.g., alert.log, ocssd.log, crsd.log) to investigate node failures.
• Run the crsctl status command to check the cluster and resource status.
• Use the Oracle Cluster Registry (OCR) to validate node details and configuration.
• Check the VIP (Virtual IP) status and interconnects using tools like oifcfg and olsnodes.
• Perform root cause analysis by identifying network, hardware, or storage issues causing the
node to fail.
3. What are ASM disk groups, and how are they used in Oracle EBS?
Answer:
ASM disk groups are logical groupings of storage devices managed by ASM for striping, mirroring, and
redundancy. In Oracle EBS, ASM is used to store:
• Database files, control files, and redo logs.
• RAC instances in a shared storage environment to ensure data consistency.
ASM offers simplified storage management and improves I/O performance for high-demand systems like
EBS.
4. What is the difference between RAC and ASM, and how do they complement each other in Oracle
EBS?
Answer:
AC (Real Application Clusters): Enables multiple nodes to access a single database, providing scalability and
high availability for Oracle EBS.
ASM (Automatic Storage Management): Manages storage resources for Oracle databases, offering features
like striping, mirroring, and dynamic resizing.
RAC nodes rely on ASM for shared storage, ensuring consistent data access across all nodes. Together, they
enhance EBS performance and resilience.
5. How do you add a new ASM disk to an existing disk group in Oracle RAC?
Answer:
Use the asmcmd utility or Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM) to identify existing disk groups.
Validate the availability of the new disk using the lsblk or fdisk commands on the operating system.
Add the disk using the ALTER DISKGROUP SQL command:
ALTER DISKGROUP <disk_group_name> ADD DISK '<disk_path>';
Confirm the addition using:
SELECT * FROM V$ASM_DISK;
Monitor the rebalance process using the v$asm_operation view.
6. Troubleshooting
6. After a clone, your Application tier cannot connect to the Database tier. What would
you check first?
A: If the application tier cannot connect to the database tier after a clone, check the following:
1. Database Listener:
Ensure the listener is running and configured correctly on the database tier.
lsnrctl status
2. TNS Configuration:
Verify the tnsnames.ora file on the application tier points to the correct database hostname, port,
and service name.
3. Network Connectivity:
Test connectivity between the application and database tiers using ping and tnsping.
tnsping <db_service_name>
4. Database Status:
Ensure the database is open and available for connections.
SELECT status FROM v$instance;
5. Apps Password:
Verify the APPS schema password is correct by testing a manual connection.
These checks will identify and help resolve the connection issue.
4. A critical EBS service is down. How would you go about troubleshooting the
issue?
A:
Check Service Status: Use adstpall.sh and adstrtal.sh to verify service status.(AD_T0P)
2. Review Logs: Check EBS, Web, and Database logs for errors.
3. Verify DB Connection: Test connection with tnsping and sqlplus.
4. Check Listener: Ensure Oracle Listener is running (lsnrctl status).
5. Resource Check: Verify server resource usage (top, df -h).
6. Check Database Errors: Review Oracle alert logs.
7. WebLogic Logs: Check WebLogic server logs (if applicable).
8. Verify Oracle Services: Ensure all Oracle services are running.
9. Restart Services: Restart EBS services if no cause is found.
10. Check Disk Space: Ensure sufficient disk space (df -h).
11. Review Configurations: Check context files for misconfigurations.
Application Monitoring:
1. Oracle Application Manager (OAM): Monitor the overall health of the Oracle E-Business
Suite.
2. Log Files: Regularly check logs like AD logs, Concurrent Manager logs, and Oacore logs for
errors or performance issues.
3. Performance Metrics: Monitor response times, CPU utilization, and memory usage using
tools like Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM).
4. Alerting: Set up alerts in Oracle Application Monitoring to notify of failures or issues.
Database Monitoring:
1. Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM): Monitor database health, resource usage, and SQL
performance.
2. Automatic Workload Repository (AWR): Analyze performance over time by capturing
system statistics.
3. Active Session History (ASH): Monitor real-time sessions and identify resource contention or
expensive queries.
4. SQL Tuning Advisor: Regularly run the SQL tuning advisor to identify slow queries and
optimize them.
5. Alert Logs & Trace Files: Check database alert logs and diagnostic files for issues.
Combining these methods ensures proactive monitoring and issue detection for both the application and
database.
13. What are the common performance tuning tasks in an EBS environment?
A: Common Performance Tuning Tasks in an EBS Environment:
• SQL Query Optimization: Analyze and optimize slow-running SQL queries using AWR, ASH,
and SQL Trace.
• Database Tuning: Adjust memory settings (SGA, PGA) and optimize disk I/O configurations.
• Index Management: Rebuild or create missing indexes to improve query performance.
• Resource Allocation: Adjust system resources like CPU and memory for application and
database tiers.
• Session Management: Monitor and manage database sessions and connections to avoid
resource contention.
• WebLogic Tuning: Adjust Java heap size, thread pools, and connection pools to optimize
application performance.
10. You are experiencing slow SQL execution in Oracle EBS. Walk us through the steps you
would take to tune the query and resolve the issue. (Imp)
A: If you are experiencing slow SQL execution:
1.check query with EXPLAIN PLAN for <query>
2.Check costly operations like full tables scans, missing indexes and inefficient joins.
3. check system resources like CPU, MEMORY Usages.
4. use AWR and ASH reports for proper diagnosis.
Resolve:
1.Gather stat gather scheme for better query optimization.
2.Optimise the query by adding missing indexes, using proper joins, by avoiding full table
scans.
3.Use parallel execution for long queries.
4. improve system resources.
12. How do you use Oracle AWR and ASH reports to resolve performance
issues in Oracle EBS? (Imp)
A: To resolve performance issues in Oracle EBS using AWR and ASH reports:
AWR (Automatic workload repository): It provide snapshot of db performance over time and used
for performance tuning and diagnostics.
@?/sqlplus/admin/awrrpt.sql
• Analyze the Top SQL section for high resource-consuming queries, and review wait events
for potential bottlenecks (e.g., I/O, CPU, or locking issues).
ASH (Active session History)
• Run the ASH report to examine real-time active session history:
@?/sqlplus/admin/ashrpt.sql
• Look for sessions with high wait times, blocking sessions, or inefficient queries.
Resolve query performances by:
1.Gather stat gather scheme for better query optimization.
2.Optimise the query by adding missing indexes, using proper joins, by avoiding full table scans.
3.Use parallel execution for long queries.
4. improve system resources.
13. A user reports slow performance when running reports in Oracle EBS. How
do you identify the cause and resolve it?
A: Diagnose:
1.check application logs
2.check system resources its bottlenecks using top, vmstat
3.revire AWR and ASH reports.
4. Identify db locks and blocking sessions.
5. Review concurrent manger logs
6.Use EXPLAIN PLAN for execution plan.
Resolve:
1.Kill blocking locks
2.optimize query perforce using missing indexes and using relevant joins
3. Monitor system resources: CPU, Memory. Kill highly CPU consuming processes if it is not required to run.
4. Avoid full table scans for better query execution.
• Purpose: TKPROF (Trace Kernel PROFiler) formats raw SQL trace files into
readable output for performance analysis.
• Key Features: Provides detailed insights into query execution time, CPU usage, disk
reads, and execution plans.
Usage Scenarios:
• Identifying slow SQL statements.
• Debugging performance issues in applications.
• Analyzing resource-intensive queries.
• Comparing execution plans for tuning.
How to Use:
1. Enable SQL trace using ALTER SESSION SET SQL_TRACE = TRUE;.
2. Run TKPROF to format the trace file:
1. Explain the process of configuring SSL, SSO, OID, and OAM in Oracle EBS?
A: Configuring SSL, SSO, OID, and OAM in Oracle EBS:
• SSL Configuration: Configure Oracle HTTP Server (OHS) for SSL by setting up SSL certificates
and enabling HTTPS in the httpd.conf file.
• SSO Configuration: Integrate Oracle EBS with Oracle Access Manager (OAM) for Single Sign-
On (SSO) by updating the SSO profile options and configuring OID for user synchronization.
• OID Setup: Set up Oracle Internet Directory (OID) for centralized user management and
authentication, syncing with EBS users.
• OAM Setup: Configure Oracle Access Manager (OAM) to manage authentication policies,
enabling users to authenticate via SSO.
2. How would you set up and configure a Load Balancer for Oracle EBS?
A: 2. Setting Up and Configuring a Load Balancer for Oracle EBS:
• Install Load Balancer: Deploy a hardware or software-based load balancer (e.g., F5, Oracle
SLB).
• Configure VIPs: Set up Virtual IPs (VIPs) for the web and application tiers.
• Sticky Sessions: Enable session persistence (sticky sessions) to maintain user sessions on the
same server.
• SSL Offloading: Configure SSL offloading on the load balancer for improved performance.
• Context Files: Update EBS context files with load balancer details and run AutoConfig to
propagate the changes.
16. What steps do you take to ensure the security of the EBS environment?
A: 1. Steps to Ensure the Security of the EBS Environment:
• User Authentication & Authorization: Implement strong authentication methods like SSO
(Single Sign-On) and manage user roles and privileges using Oracle Identity Management.
• Patch Management: Regularly apply critical security patches and updates for Oracle EBS and
underlying systems.
• Data Encryption: Enable data encryption for sensitive information both at rest (file system,
database) and in transit (using SSL/TLS).
• Network Security: Use firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and ensure proper
network segmentation.
• Audit Logging: Enable auditing and logging to track user activities and security events within
the system.
• Backup Security: Implement encrypted backups and store them in secure locations.
What is SSL?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol that provides secure communication over a computer network,
especially the internet. It ensures that data transmitted between a client (such as a browser) and a server
(such as a web server) remains private and integrity is maintained.
Key Features:
Encryption , Authentication , Data Integrity
How It Works:
• SSL Certificate: A website uses an SSL certificate to establish a secure connection. This
certificate contains the server’s public key and is issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
• HTTPS: When SSL is implemented, URLs start with “https://” instead of “http://”, indicating
that the connection is secure.
Modern Evolution:
• SSL is now largely replaced by TLS (Transport Layer Security), which is a more secure
version of SSL. However, the term SSL is still commonly used to refer to secure HTTPS connections.
16. You need to configure Single Sign-On (SSO) between Oracle EBS and a third-party
application. How would you go about it? (Imp)
A: To configure Single Sign-On (SSO) between Oracle EBS and a third-party application:
1. Set Up Identity Provider (IdP):
• Configure an Identity Provider (IdP), such as Oracle Identity Federation (OIF), ADFS, or a
third-party IdP, to handle authentication.
2. Configure Oracle EBS for SSO:
• Enable and configure Oracle Internet Directory (OID) or Oracle Identity Management (OIM)
as the authentication mechanism for EBS.
• Set the profile option “ICX: Authentication Type” to SSO in the system to use SSO for user
login.
3. Integrate IdP with Oracle EBS:
• Configure the IdP to recognize Oracle EBS as a Service Provider (SP) using SAML (Security
Assertion Markup Language) or OAuth.
• Modify Oracle EBS configuration files (e.g., appltop/admin), enabling communication
between EBS and the IdP.
4. Configure Third-Party Application for SSO:
• Ensure the third-party application supports SSO via SAML or OAuth and is configured to
recognize the same IdP.
5. Test the SSO Integration:
• Test SSO by attempting to access Oracle EBS and the third-party application. After a
successful login to one, you should be automatically authenticated in the other.
This process enables a seamless authentication experience for users across Oracle EBS and the third-party
application.
14. You are configuring SSL in Oracle EBS, and the application is not loading over HTTPS.
How do you troubleshoot?
20. Explain the steps to register a custom concurrent program in Oracle EBS?
A: Registering a Custom Concurrent Program in Oracle EBS:
• Define Program: Go to Concurrent Program and define the program by providing necessary
details such as the program name and short name.
• Attach Executable: Link the executable (PL/SQL procedure, script, etc.) to the concurrent
program.
• Define Parameters: If the program has input parameters, define them.
• Assign to Request Group: Attach the concurrent program to a request group to allow users
to access and run the program.
2. What is Oracle WebLogic Server, and why is it important for Oracle EBS?
Answer:
Oracle WebLogic Server is an application server that hosts and runs Oracle E-Business Suite’s Java-based
applications. It provides a platform for deploying, managing, and securing EBS’s business logic and user
interfaces, making it a critical component in the middleware layer. WebLogic Server supports the scalability,
clustering, and high availability of Oracle EBS.
3. What is Oracle HTTP Server (OHS), and how does it work with Oracle EBS?
Answer:
Oracle HTTP Server (OHS) is a web server that acts as the front-end interface to Oracle E-Business Suite. It
handles HTTP requests from users and forwards them to the appropriate backend services (e.g., Oracle
Application Server or WebLogic Server). OHS also performs tasks like SSL encryption, load balancing, and
proxying for the Oracle EBS system, ensuring efficient communication and high availability.
7. What is the difference between Oracle Application Server and Oracle WebLogic Server in Oracle EBS?
Answer:
Oracle Application Server (OAS) was used in earlier versions of Oracle EBS, and it includes components such
as Oracle HTTP Server, Oracle Forms, and Oracle Reports. However, in more recent versions, Oracle
WebLogic Server has replaced OAS as the primary application server for hosting Java-based applications.
WebLogic provides advanced features like clustering, improved scalability, and better support for web-
based applications, making it the preferred server in Oracle EBS versions R12 and later.
8. How do you monitor and troubleshoot Oracle Middleware components (e.g., WebLogic, OHS)?
Answer:
Monitoring and troubleshooting Oracle Middleware components involve several steps:
o Use Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM) to monitor WebLogic Server, Oracle HTTP Server, and
other components.
o Check the log files for errors and warnings (e.g., weblogic.log, nohup.out, OHS logs).
o Use WebLogic Diagnostic Framework (WLDF) to gather real-time diagnostic data.
o Review performance metrics such as thread usage, memory utilization, and response times.
o Use Fusion Middleware Control for centralized monitoring and configuration.
o Use tools like WebLogic Server Administration Console to troubleshoot application issues
and server configurations.
o
9. What are the common issues faced in Oracle EBS Middleware, and how do you resolve them?
Answer:
Common issues include:
• Performance issues: Check for resource bottlenecks (CPU, memory) in WebLogic Server or
OHS. Increase the heap size or adjust the number of threads in WebLogic.
• Connection failures: Verify the database connections, listener configurations, and ensure no
firewall or network issues are blocking communication between middleware and the database.
• Application downtime: Ensure the OHS, WebLogic, and other components are running.
Restart services using the opmnctl or emctl utilities.
• SSO authentication errors: Check the integration with Oracle Identity Management and
ensure the correct user roles and permissions are configured.
10. How do you perform a patching process for Oracle Middleware components (e.g., WebLogic, OHS)?
Answer:
Patching Oracle Middleware involves:
• Identifying the patch required from Oracle support (e.g., WebLogic patches, OHS patches).
• Applying the patch in a test environment first, following Oracle’s patching guidelines.
• Use tools like opatch to apply patches for WebLogic Server or Oracle HTTP Server.
• Monitor the patching process and ensure that all services are correctly restarted after the
patch application.
• Validate the environment by running health checks and verifying application functionality.
• Document the patch application process and maintain logs for future reference.
11.Where are the log file located in R12.2 Apache and Weblogic?
A: In Oracle E-Business Suite R12.2, log files for Apache and WebLogic are typically located as
follows:
1. Apache Logs:
• Access logs: $APACHE_HOME/logs/access_log
• Error logs: $APACHE_HOME/logs/error_log
2. WebLogic Logs:
• Domain logs: $DOMAIN_HOME/servers/servername/logs/server.log
• Managed server logs: $DOMAIN_HOME/servers/Managed_server1 logs/Managed_server1.
log
These log files help in diagnosing issues related to web server performance and application errors.
Where weblogic server is installed: It is installed in the FMW_Home which reside in fs1 and fs2
filesystem in 12.2.
/u01/app/EBSapps/fs1/FMW_HOME/wlserver. = Weblogic server home
$EBS_DOMAIN_HOME/config. = Weblogic configuration files
A: A Managed Server in WebLogic Server is a server that hosts applications and is part of a WebLogic
domain. Unlike the Admin Server, which is responsible for configuration and management,
Managed Servers handle the actual business logic, processing requests, and running applications.
Multiple Managed Servers can be configured for load balancing and clustering to ensure high
availability and scalability. They rely on the Admin Server for initial configuration and management
tasks.
11.WebLogic is showing errors related to insufficient heap memory. How would you
address this?
A: To address insufficient heap memory errors in WebLogic:
1. Increase Heap Size:
• Edit the setDomainEnv.sh (Unix/Linux) or setDomainEnv.cmd (Windows) file in the
WebLogic domain directory.
• Modify the -Xms (initial heap size) and -Xmx (maximum heap size) values.
Example:
export JAVA_OPTIONS="-Xms1024m -Xmx4096m"
2. Restart WebLogic Server:
• After saving the changes, restart the WebLogic server to apply the new memory settings.
3. Monitor Memory Usage:
• Check WebLogic logs and monitor memory usage to ensure the new settings resolve the
issue without causing further problems.
A WebLogic server in an Oracle EBS environment is slow. How do you diagnose and
resolve the performance issue?
A: Diagnosis:
1.Check WebLogic server logs for any warnings and error.
2.Chech all the system resources like CPU and memory
3.Use top and vmstart for monitoring system resources
4.check heap size
5. check all the service status.
Resolving:
2. I Will increase heap memory
3. Kill unnecessary CPU bottlenecks
4. Restart the WebLogic
5. Adjust garbage collection
Why It Is Needed:
• Dynamic Memory Allocation: It allows objects to be created at runtime, with memory
allocated and deallocated as needed.
• Variable Storage: Stores objects, arrays, and other large data structures that have an
unpredictable lifetime.
• Flexibility: Unlike stack memory, heap memory can grow or shrink dynamically during the
program’s execution.
In summary, heap memory is essential for managing memory that requires dynamic allocation and
deallocation during application execution.
Key Functions:
• Apache:
• Handles client requests for static content.
• Serves as a reverse proxy, forwarding dynamic requests (e.g., forms, reports) to WebLogic for
processing.
• WebLogic:
• Processes business logic and generates dynamic content (e.g., EBS pages, reports).
• Responds to Apache by sending back dynamic content over HTTP/HTTPS.
Interaction:
• Apache listens for client requests on standard ports (e.g., 80 for HTTP, 443 for HTTPS).
• For dynamic content, Apache forwards the request to WebLogic using the mod_wl_ohs
module.
• WebLogic handles the request, executes the business logic, and returns the response to
Apache, which then sends it to the client.
Thus, Apache and WebLogic work together to provide a seamless experience for Oracle EBS users, with
Apache handling static content and WebLogic processing dynamic requests.
10. How to find
11. 3. How to determine Oracle Apps 11i Version?
12.select RELEASE_NAME from fnd_product_groups;
13. 4. How to find the Database version?
SQL> select * from v$version;
14.How to find out invalid objects in the database? (imp)
select object_name, object_type status from dba_objects where status =’INVALID’
15. How you will see hidden files in Linux/Solaris? (imp)
ls -la
If the lost redo log file belongs to the current or active redo log group, you cannot recover
committed transactions up to the point of failure. However, you can attempt incomplete recovery.
Steps:
1. Shutdown the Database:
SHUTDOWN ABORT;
2. Start the Database in Mount Mode:
STARTUP MOUNT;
3. Restore and Recover the Database:
Perform an incomplete recovery up to the last available SCN or timestamp before the redo log file
loss:
RECOVER DATABASE UNTIL CANCEL;
When prompted, type CANCEL to stop recovery when no more logs are available.
4. Open the Database with Resetlogs:
After incomplete recovery, open the database in resetlogs mode:
ALTER DATABASE OPEN RESETLOGS;
If all redo logs are lost and you don’t have multiplexed copies or archived logs, you can perform a
recovery that involves potential data loss.
Steps:
1. Shutdown and Mount the Database:
SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE;
STARTUP MOUNT;
2. Recreate Redo Logs:
Use the following command to drop and recreate redo log files:
ALTER DATABASE CLEAR UNARCHIVED LOGFILE GROUP <group_number>;
Repeat for all groups.
3. Open Database with Resetlogs:
ALTER DATABASE OPEN RESETLOGS;
Key Notes:
• Risk of Data Loss: Incomplete recovery or clearing unarchived logs will result in losing
uncommitted and some committed transactions.
• Prevention:
- Always multiplex redo log files across different disks.
- Enable archive logging for safer recovery options.
- Regularly back up the database.
-
A user is complaining DB is running slow. What could be the issue? (Imp)
A: Below are the several potential causes:
1. CPU Over utilization
2. Memory consumtion
3. DISK I/O
4. Unoptimizes queries
5. SGA,PGA, Redo log sizes
6. Network latency
7. Sudden increase in user connections
8. Long running BGP
How to troubleshoot:
9. Analyse logs , check alert logs and server logs check for errors and wrning
10. Use AWR,ADDR for diagnose issue
11. Check blocking sessions – inactive sessions. and locks – kill if needed
12. Use top command to check high consuming CPU.
13. Use EXPLAIN_PLAN , DBMS_XPLAN.DISPLAY
There are 50 random email alerts for multiple databases. How will you prioritize the
alerts and solve them? imp
A: To prioritize and resolve 50 random email alerts for multiple databases, follow these steps:
1. Categorize Alerts:
• Severity: Identify critical, high, medium, and low alerts. Critical alerts (e.g., database
downtime, performance degradation) should be prioritized.
• Type of Alert: Categorize by type—e.g., security issues, database availability, backups,
or performance-related alerts.
2. Assess Impact:
• Evaluate how each alert affects business operations. For example, if an alert indicates
that a production database is down, it should be resolved first.
• Use monitoring tools (e.g., Oracle Enterprise Manager) to get more context on each
alert.
3. Immediate Actions:
• Critical Alerts: Resolve immediately (e.g., restart services, apply patches, fix security
vulnerabilities).
• Non-Critical: Investigate further, but address after high-priority issues.
4. Troubleshooting and Resolution:
• Gather logs and trace files for detailed analysis.
• Follow documented procedures for common issues, escalating to senior team
members for complex problems.
5. Post-Incident Review:
• After resolving, ensure to document the solution for future reference and implement
preventive measures.
Temp tablespace utilization is 100% full. What you will do? Imp (IQ)
A: If the temporary tablespace utilization is 100% full, follow these steps:
3. Ping is working but tnsping is not working. What could be the issue?
A: When ping works but tnsping (Oracle listener test) does not, it usually indicates that the Oracle
listener is not running or there is a configuration issue. Here are possible causes:
1. Listener not running: Ensure the Oracle listener is up. Check with lsnrctl status and
start the listener if needed with lsnrctl start.
2. Listener Configuration: Verify the listener.ora file for correct hostname and port
settings, and ensure the service name matches the database.
3. Firewall/Network Issues: The network might block specific ports (e.g., 1521) used by
Oracle listeners, while ICMP (ping) packets are allowed.
4. TNS Configuration: Ensure the tnsnames.ora file is correctly configured with the right
service name and address.
4. I am not able to add data file to tablespace. What could be the issue?
A: If you’re unable to add a datafile to a tablespace, potential issues include:
1. Insufficient Disk Space: Ensure enough free space is available on the disk.
2. File System Permissions: Verify proper write permissions on the directory.
3. Tablespace Quotas: Check if the tablespace has reached its allocated size limit.
4. File Name Conflicts: Ensure the file name or path is not already in use.
5. Incorrect Syntax: Verify the correct command syntax, such as using ALTER
TABLESPACE. You can check the database logs for more specific errors.
5. How to take cold backup using rman? (IMP)
1. SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE;
2. STARTUP MOUNT;
3. TARGET CONNECT /
4. RMAN> BACKUP DATABASE;
5. RMAN> BACKUP DATABASE PLUS ARCHIVELOG;
6. RMAN> LIST BACKUP;
7. ALTER DATABASE OPEN;
6. Backup file format?
7. What are the ways to improve rman backup / recovery performance in terms of
time? (IMP)
A: To improve RMAN backup and recovery performance, consider the following techniques:
Backup Performance Optimization
1. Parallelism:
Configure multiple channels to utilize system resources effectively:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONFIGURE DEVICE TYPE DISK PARALLELISM 4;
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Compression:
Use RMAN compression (BASIC or HIGH) to reduce I/O, especially for slow networks.
3. Incremental Backups:
Leverage block change tracking for faster incremental backups:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALTER DATABASE ENABLE BLOCK CHANGE TRACKING;
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Tape Configuration:
Optimize tape usage with parallelism and dedicated drives for tape backups.
5. Disk Staging:
Backup to disk first, then copy to slower media like tape.
6. I/O Configuration:
Use multiple I/O channels to distribute load across disks or network devices.
1. Parallel Recovery:
Use multiple RMAN channels during restore and recovery.
2. Pre-staged Backup Sets:
Place backup files on fast storage or local disks for faster access.
3. Incremental Recovery:
Apply incremental backups instead of full backups during recovery.
4. Use Fast File Systems:
Use ASM or high-speed file systems for RMAN operations.
5. Tune Redo Apply:
Use the FAST_START_MTTR_TARGET to control crash recovery time.
• No Point-in-Time Recovery: You can only restore from the last consistent backup; all
changes since the backup are lost.
• Data Loss Risk: In case of failure, transactions not backed up are irretrievable.
• No Incremental Backups: Only full backups can be performed, increasing downtime.
• Compliance Issues: May not meet data retention or recovery policies required by
regulations.
To resolve, switch to ARCHIVELOG mode using:
SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE;
STARTUP MOUNT;
ALTER DATABASE ARCHIVELOG;
ALTER DATABASE OPEN;
9. I have taken L0 backup on 1st and L1 everyday till 15th. The recovery window is of
only 7 days. So how will you recover database as L0 is OBSOLETE backup? (IMP)
A: If the Level 0 (L0) backup taken on the 1st has become obsolete due to the 7-day recovery
window, you cannot directly use it for recovery. However, RMAN retains all backups needed to
recover the database within the recovery window. Here’s how you can recover the database:
1. Understand Backup Retention
RMAN marks a backup obsolete based on the recovery window policy, but the physical backup
might still exist on disk/tape. Verify with:
----------------------------------
RMAN> LIST BACKUP;
----------------------------------------
2. Check Dependencies
RMAN uses the latest L0 backup and all L1 incremental backups to recover the database. If the L0
backup is obsolete but not deleted, it will still be used in recovery.
10.What is the RMAN command to take controlfile and spfile backup? (IMP)
A: To back up the control file and spfile using RMAN, use the following command:
Command
------------------------------------------------------------
BACKUP CURRENT CONTROLFILE SPFILE;
-----------------------------------------------------------------
BACKUP CURRENT CONTROLFILE;
BACKUP SPFILE;
--------------------------------------
2. Including in Full Database Backup:
---------------------------------------------------------------
BACKUP DATABASE PLUS ARCHIVELOG;
----------------------------------------------------------------------
RMAN> LIST BACKUP;
1. What is the command to delete all the backup older than 30 days?
A: To delete all RMAN backups older than 30 days, use the DELETE command with the RECOVERY
WINDOW criteria:
Command
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DELETE BACKUP COMPLETED BEFORE 'SYSDATE-30';
11.I have a reporting database of 2 TB. What backup strategy will you recommend?
A: For a 2 TB reporting database, implement the following backup strategy:
1. Full Backup (Level 0): Weekly, using RMAN to back up the entire database, including
datafiles, control files, and spfile.
2. Incremental Backup (Level 1): Daily, capturing changes since the last backup,
leveraging block change tracking for efficiency.
3. Archive Log Backup: Hourly to ensure point-in-time recovery.
4. Backup to Disk: Perform backups to fast local disk, then copy to tape for offsite
storage.
5. Retention Policies: Use RMAN’s retention policies and automate cleanup.
6. Backup Verification: Regularly validate backups with RMAN to ensure recoverability.
13.I lost my entire database. Tell me the steps you will follow to recover the database?
A: To recover a lost database:
1. Restore the Latest Backup:
Use RMAN to restore the most recent full backup of the database.
RMAN> RESTORE DATABASE;
2. Apply Archive Logs:
Restore all missing archive logs to bring the database to the point of failure.
RMAN> RECOVER DATABASE;
3. Open the Database:
Once recovery is complete, open the database.
RMAN> ALTER DATABASE OPEN;
4. Perform Post-Recovery Checks:
Verify data consistency and perform necessary checks to ensure the database is functioning
properly.
15.Why you will not recommend catalog scripting over shell scripting for backups?
A: Reasons to Avoid Catalog Scripting for Backups:
• Dependency on Catalog: Requires RMAN catalog availability, creating risks if the catalog is
corrupted or inaccessible.
• Limited Flexibility: Cannot integrate with OS-level tools or external monitoring systems.
• Lack of Advanced Error Handling: Catalog scripts have limited options for custom error handling
and notifications.
• Portability Issues: Difficult to reuse across different environments or databases.
• Limited Scheduling Options: Cannot integrate directly with cron or other scheduling tools.
• Less Versatile: Shell scripts offer more control, customization, and integration capabilities.
For robust backup management, shell scripting is more reliable and adaptable.
17.Archives are not arriving at the standby. What will you check?(IMP)
A: If archives are not arriving at the standby, follow these checks:
1. Network Connectivity: Ensure the primary and standby databases can communicate over the
network (ping, tnsping).
2. ARCH Process on Primary: Verify the ARCH process is running on the primary and actively shipping
logs:
SQL> SELECT process, status FROM v$managed_standby;
3. Log Shipping Settings: Check if log shipping is enabled (log_archive_dest_2 on primary and
log_archive_dest on standby).
4. Standby Redo Log Availability: Ensure standby redo logs are configured and available.
5. Archive Log Space: Check for space in the archive destination on the primary and standby.
6. Log Transfer Errors: Use alert.log and v$archive_dest for errors.
7. Configuration on Primary: Ensure LOG_ARCHIVE_CONFIG is set correctly on the primary database.
Resolve any issues and restart the log shipping if necessary.
Difference: Flashback Database is quicker and simpler for recent errors, while PITR involves
restoring backups and is useful for more severe recovery situations.
1. You have a database in ARCHIVELOG mode, and a tablespace is corrupted. How do you
recover it without affecting the rest of the database?
A: To recover a corrupted tablespace in an ARCHIVELOG mode database without affecting the rest of the
database:
1. Take the Tablespace Offline:
ALTER TABLESPACE tablespace_name OFFLINE;
2. Restore the Datafiles:
Restore the corrupted tablespace’s datafiles from the most recent backup:
RMAN> RESTORE TABLESPACE tablespace_name;
3. Recover the Tablespace:
Apply the archive logs to bring the tablespace up-to-datet
RMAN> RECOVER TABLESPACE tablespace_name;
4. Bring the Tablespace Online:
ALTER TABLESPACE tablespace_name ONLINE;
This ensures minimal impact to the rest of the database while recovering the corrupted tablespace.
2. Your RMAN backup fails due to a lack of disk space. How would you resolve the issue
without affecting the backup schedule?
A: To resolve an RMAN backup failure due to a lack of disk space without affecting the backup schedule:
1. Free Up Disk Space:
• Delete old or obsolete backups using RMAN:
RMAN> DELETE OBSOLETE;
• Crosscheck and delete expired backups:
RMAN> CROSSCHECK BACKUP;
RMAN> DELETE EXPIRED BACKUP;
2. Use Compression:
Enable RMAN backup compression to reduce the size of backups:
CONFIGURE DEVICE TYPE DISK BACKUP TYPE TO COMPRESSED BACKUPSET;
3. Redirect Backups to Another Disk:
Change the backup destination to a disk with sufficient space:
RMAN> CONFIGURE CHANNEL DEVICE TYPE DISK FORMAT '/new_disk/backup_%U';
3. After restoring a database from a backup, you notice missing archive logs. How do you
proceed to apply the missing logs?
A: To handle missing archie logs after restoring a database:
1. Check if the Logs Are Truly Missing:
Use RMAN to list the required archive logs:
RMAN> LIST ARCHIVELOG ALL;
2. Locate Logs on Backup:
If the logs are backed up, restore them:
RMAN> RESTORE ARCHIVELOG FROM SEQUENCE start_seq TO end_seq;
3. Use Redo Logs for Recovery:
If archive logs are unavailable but redo logs contain the changes, recover using:
RECOVER DATABASE USING BACKUP CONTROLFILE UNTIL CANCEL;
Apply the available logs and cancel when prompted for the missing logs.
4. Open the Database with Data Loss (if unavoidable):
If logs cannot be recovered:
ALTER DATABASE OPEN RESETLOGS;
18. The database is running out of space, and you need to add a new datafile to a
tablespace. How do you do this using RMAN or SQL?
A: To add a new datafile to a tablespace using SQL or RMAN, follow these steps:
Using SQL:
1. Add the Datafile:
ALTER TABLESPACE giri
ADD DATAFILE '/path/to/datafile/<datafile_name>.dbf' SIZE <size_in_MB>M;
Using RMAN:
1. Use RMAN to Add Datafile:
rman target /
SQL 'ALTER TABLESPACE <tablespace_name> ADD DATAFILE ''/path/to/datafile/<datafile_name>.dbf'' SIZE
<size_in_MB>M';
2. What are the differences between hot, cold, and incremental backups in Oracle, and
when would you use each?
A: 2. Differences Between Hot, Cold, and Incremental Backups:
• Hot Backup: Database remains online. Used when high availability is required (e.g., using
RMAN with ARCHIVELOG mode).
• Cold Backup: Database is offline. Ideal for simpler recovery scenarios but requires
downtime.
• Incremental Backup: Backs up only changed data since the last full or incremental backup.
Reduces backup time and space usage.
4. Where are the log and output files of Concurrent Requests stored?
They are stored in:
$APPLCSF/$APPLLOG (for logs)
$APPLCSF/$APPLOUT (for outputs)
The exact file names can be retrieved from the Concurrent Request Details screen.