Database Architecture & Configuration Flashcards
7 cards from real OCP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Database Architecture & Configuration flashcards as text
What is the function of the Oracle PMON background process?
Answer: Cleans up failed user processes, rolls back their transactions, and releases held resources
PMON (Process Monitor) detects failed user processes, rolls back their uncommitted transactions, and releases any locks or other resources they held.
In an Oracle RAC environment, which component provides a global view of buffer cache contents across all instances?
Answer: Global Cache Service (GCS) via the Cache Fusion interconnect
Oracle RAC uses Cache Fusion, managed by the Global Cache Service, to transfer data blocks between nodes over the high-speed interconnect, providing a virtual single cache.
When Oracle performs a 'log switch', what event is triggered?
Answer: LGWR begins writing to the next redo log group and a checkpoint may be initiated
A log switch occurs when LGWR fills the current redo log group and switches to the next available group, potentially triggering a checkpoint.
Which Oracle data dictionary view shows the current status and size of all datafiles in the database?
Answer: DBA_DATA_FILES
DBA_DATA_FILES displays information about all datafiles including their status, size, tablespace association, and autoextend settings.
What is the purpose of Oracle's 'bigfile tablespace' feature?
Answer: Allows a single tablespace to contain exactly one very large datafile, simplifying management
A bigfile tablespace contains a single datafile that can be up to 128TB, simplifying management by reducing the number of datafiles.
Which Oracle background process is responsible for archiving filled redo log groups when the database is in ARCHIVELOG mode?
Answer: ARCn (Archiver)
The ARCn (Archiver) background process copies filled online redo log groups to one or more archive destinations when ARCHIVELOG mode is enabled.
What is the significance of the System Change Number (SCN) in Oracle Database?
Answer: It is a monotonically increasing number that uniquely orders database transactions and defines a consistent read point
The SCN is Oracle's logical clock — a monotonically increasing value assigned at each commit, used for read consistency, recovery, and determining the order of changes.