Oracle8 & Unix Performance Tuning with CDROM [Paperback]

Ahmed Alomari (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1998

This is the first book that presents detailed coverage of maximizing Oracle8 performance by tuning both the database and the underlying UNIX system. It is also the only database tuning book that presents detailed coverage of tuning both OLTP and decision support databases. The book begins by introducing UNIX kernel-related issues that impact performance; then covers techniques for tuning memory, processors and I/O. There is detailed coverage of how to eliminate SQL bottlenecks, as well as specific guidance on tuning both OLTP and DSS systems. Installation and configuration issues are also discussed. Coverage reflects Oracle8 and the latest versions of Sun, HP-UX and Sequent UNIX.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The goal of this book is to optimize performance on higher-end Unix servers that are running Oracle version 7 or 8. First, the book discusses the issues that affect Unix performance, offering detailed support for several popular flavors of Unix, including Solaris 2.6 and HP/UX (Hewlett-Packard Unix) 11. After a soup-to-nuts tour of the architecture of Unix, the guide moves on to issues of tuning performance in memory and processors. Obviously, optimizing disk performance is a critical area for speeding up databases, so Oracle8 and Unix Performance Tuning covers a number of related issues (such as configuring striped volumes, mirroring, and RAID [Redundant Array of Inexpensive Discs] technologies). This section also presents tips for optimizing a variety of disk options.

The next sections of the book examine how to tune Oracle. Here, the author, who works for Oracle Corp., shares his expertise in getting the most out of Oracle, including how to maximize performance in new object-relational databases. Two short but useful appendices round out the text, providing checklists for optimal installations of Unix and Oracle. --Richard Dragan

From the Back Cover

The #1 Guide to Oracle8 and Oracle7 Tuning on UNIX® Platforms

Tuning Oracle without tuning UNIX® is like tuning half the cylinders onyour car. If you want all the performance you're paying for, you need to do both-and Oracle8 and UNIX® Performance Tuning will show you how.

Oracle Senior Performance Engineer Ahmed Alomari covers virtually every relevant optimization technique in Oracle8, Oracle7, and three leading versions of UNIX®: Solaris 2.6, HP-UX 11, and Sequent Dynix/ptx 4.4. He presents in-depth coverage of both OLTP and DSS applications, covering optimization of the UNIX® kernel, memory, processors and I/O, and all these major Oracle8 performance enhancements:

* Partitioning
* Star queries
* Parallel DML
* Connection Manager
* Connection pooling
* Multiple buffer pools
* Parallel query enhancements
* I/O slaves
* Multiple DBWR processes
* Optimizer enhancements
* PRO*C enhancements
* Any correspondence should be sent [e-mail]

Learn new techniques for optimizing object-relational databases. Use the tips and techniques offered in this book to help eliminate SQL code bottlenecks. Whether you're running Oracle8 or Oracle7 on a UNIX® platform, this is the book you need to optimize your environment.

Oracle8 and UNIX® Performance Tuning includes a CD-ROM which consists of performance monitoring scripts, product information, and extensive white papers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 013907676X
• ISBN-13: 978-0139076763
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,107,723 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good content, poor editing, November 30, 1999

By 

Robert Krawczak (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oracle8 & Unix Performance Tuning with CDROM (Paperback)

I bought this on the recommendation of two people with much more tuning experience than I have. They both said that it gave the most complete set of tuning advice and I defer to their judgement on that. The editing, however, is terrible.

Some sections only cover to Solaris 2.4, while others are updated to cover 2.6. The information in the section "Stripping on Sun" is five years old, with the author/editor covering the next generation of product in a new section. It looks like a slipshod update of the original book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Broad coverage, still objective. Excellent !, June 22, 2000

By 

Andre Whittick Nasser - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oracle8 & Unix Performance Tuning with CDROM (Paperback)

Mr. Alomari managed to accomplish an extraordinary feat: presenting Oracle tuning in a concise, yet not superficial way. There are many originally undocumented (or poorly documented) features which are invaluable. A few topics, however, miss some explanation. But, all things considered, it is an excellent book. He addresses many issues that are really hard to find, especially on the interaction between UNIX and Oracle. When he says you cannot fix half of you car's engine, he is not exaggerating. In my consulting practice, I tend to see both many Oracle and many UNIX experts, but much work is poorly done because of this fragile knowledge by the two parties. This book may be an efficient tool for breaking that wall, and, believe me, it makes the difference. I only wonder why he did not cover other UNIXes like AIX and DIGITAL, which have a big market share...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An Just-OK book., August 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Oracle8 & Unix Performance Tuning with CDROM (Paperback)

Chapter 1-2 provides lengthy explanation about Unix performance tuning. From DBA's standpoint, I would suggest readers to work closely with SA instead of trying to play SA's role. Read them but do not apply your knowledge without SA by your side!

Chapter 3 is a good one.

The rest of the books can be skipped if you have read OCP's training material or Oracle8 Backup & Recovery and Performance Tuning.

Regarding SQL tuning, I would highly recommend Oracle SQL High-Performance Tuning.