Oracle parallel processing

Parallel processing is becoming increasingly important to database computing. Databases often grow to enormous sizes and are accessed by huge numbers of users. This growth strains the ability of single-processor and single-computer systems to handle the load. More and more, organizations are turning to parallel processing technologies to give them the performance, scalability, and reliability they need. Anyone managing a large database, a database with a large number of concurrent users, or a database with high availability requirements--such as a heavily trafficked e-commerce site--needs to know how to get the most out of Oracle's parallel processing technologies.

Oracle Parallel Processing is the first book to describe the full range of parallel processing capabilities in the Oracle environment, including those new to Oracle8i. It covers:

• What is parallel processing--features, benefits, and pitfalls. Who needs it and who doesn't? What features does Oracle provide, and what are their requirements and overhead implications? The book answers these questions and presents the various parallel architectures (SMP, or Symmetric Multiprocessing; MPP, or Massively Parallel Processing; clustered systems; and NUMA, or Non Uniform Memory Access).
• Oracle parallel execution--Oracle supports a variety of parallel execution features in the database. The book covers the use, administration, and tuning of these features: parallel query, parallel data loading, parallel DML (Data Manipulation Language), parallel object creation (through DDL, or Data Definition Language), and parallel replication propagation.
• Oracle Parallel Server--Oracle also provides the OPS option, which work to be spread over both multiple CPUs and multiple nodes. This book covers OPS architecture, requirements, administration, tuning, storage management, recovery, and application failover issues.

Oracle Parallel Processing also contains several case studies showing how to use Oracle's parallel features in a variety of real-world situations.

Preface

I. Overview

1. Introduction
About Parallel Processing
Parallel Processing for Databases
Parallel Processing in Oracle
Overhead for Oracle Parallel Processing
Requirements for Oracle's Parallel Features

2. Architectures for Parallel Processing
Hardware Architectures
High-Speed Interconnect
Software Architectures of Parallel Database Systems
Oracle's Parallel Processing Architecture

II. Oracle Parallel Execution

3. Parallel Execution Concepts
What Is Parallel SQL?
How Parallel Execution Works

4. Using Parallel Execution
Parallel Query
Parallel DML
Parallel DDL
Parallel Data Loading
Parallel Recovery
Parallel Replication Propagation

5. Monitoring and Tuning Parallel Execution
Tuning Overview
Dynamic Performance Views
Using EXPLAIN PLAN to View Parallel Execution
Tuning Tips for Parallel Execution
Automatic Tuning of Parallel Execution in Oracle8i

III. Oracle Parallel Server

6. Oracle Parallel Server Architecture
OPS and Oracle Instances
Synchronization Between Instances
OPS Impact on Database Files
Integrated Distributed Lock Manager
Group Membership Service
Rollback Segments in OPS

7. Administering an OPS Database
Creating an OPS Database
Starting and Stopping an OPS Database
Managing Instance Groups
Backing Up an OPS Database
Recovering an OPS Database

8. Locking Mechanisms in OPS
Cache Coherency
Lock Types in OPS
Lock Modes
Parallel Cache Management
PCM Lock Types
PCM Lock Allocation Parameters and Verification
PCM Lock Allocation Guidelines
Non-PCM Locks

9. Storage Management in OPS
Using Free Lists and Free List Groups
The PCTFREE Parameter: Reserving Free Space
Using Reverse Key Indexes

10. Monitoring and Tuning OPS
OPS Performance Views
Dynamic Performance Views
Monitoring PCM Locking
Monitoring Overall Statistics
Monitoring and Tuning IDLM
Oracle Performance Manager

11. Partitioning for OPS
When Is Partitioning Needed?
Partitioning Techniques
Changing Your Partitioning Scheme

12. Application Failover
Maintaining a Failover Database
Planning for Failover with OPS
Failover Complexity
Failover Methods

13. Parallel Execution in OPS
How Parallel Execution Works with OPS
Disk Affinity
Instance Groups for Parallel Execution

Appendix: Case Studies

Index