Oracle® 11g For Dummies®

Chapter 11. Tuning an Oracle Database

In This Chapter

• Nailing tuning basics

• Gathering with Automatic Workload Repository (AWR)

• Using Automatic Database Diagnostic Monitor (ADDM)

• Tuning into SQL

• Understanding 10046 trace event with TKPROF

Oracle performance tuners have an indistinguishable systematic approach that compares to any real-world tuning effort, Oracle or other. Regardless of the method used to tune Oracle, base your goals on the needs of the business or purpose of the application.

In this chapter we cover the methods, concepts, and tools necessary for Oracle 11g performance tuning. We show you the commonly used methods to diagnose and alleviate Oracle 11g performance issues. You also discover how to apply this knowledge to proactive tuning principles.

Evaluating Tuning Problems

Tuning problems are usually related to poorly designed applications. Hardware upgrades aren't normally the all-saving remedy. Although hardware architecture does have a place in a basic tuning discussion, it's not necessarily the remedy.

Tip

As a novice to Oracle or a decision maker, exhaust all affordable options before giving in to the "You need more hardware" or the generic Oracle support comment, "You need to upgrade."

Although system hardware — the components all working toward the same goal in supporting the business — can be an area of focus for Oracle tuning, it can indirectly become a piece of the problem. These expensive hardware components, shown in Figure 11-1, include the following but are not ...