The code of this new exam is DBS-C01. It is created for those IT professionals who are involved in the roles focused on databases. The test will measure the candidates’ broad understanding of databases. The DBS-C01 exam will also evaluate one’s knowledge of access, design, monitoring, maintenance, troubleshooting, migration, automation, deployment, and security. Before the new exam goes to the public, the beta version will actually test its outline. The interesting thing is that it is available now for the candidates at a 50% discount.

Let’s find out what information is available about this new AWS test.

Potential candidates for the beta exam

The new certification that AWS has announced can help you obtain the AWS Certified Database – Specialty credential. Nevertheless, you should first find out whether you are actually suitable for the role of an Amazon Web Services Database Specialist or not. There are no official prerequisites for attempting this certificate. While this is great for the students’ flexibility, you should not take the recommended experience and knowledge for granted.

While these entries are not the mandatory requirements to attempt the new AWS Certified Database – Specialty exam, the following points of experience and knowledge can significantly increase your chances of passing this test on your first try. Please take a look at them:

• At least 2 years of experience working with AWS;
• Thorough conceptual knowledge of common database technologies;
• 5 or more years of practical experience with common database technologies;
• Proven expertise and experience for working with NoSQL and relational databases located on AWS Cloud and on-premises.

Key details of the beta exam

The information and details on the newly announced AWS beta exam can be found on the official Amazon website. The beta version will we available from December 2, 2019 to January 10, 2020.

It’s worth noting that the registration for this exam will stay open only for a certain period of time. So, it’s available that you register for it immediately after opening this process. This is due to the fact that registration usually stops immediately when the AWS tools obtain adequate statistical information about the exam outline.

The recently announced DBS-C01 exam will evaluate the candidates’ knowledge and skills in various areas:

• Analysis of requirements and needs for providing and designing reliable database solutions through leveraging Amazon Web Services.
• Differentiating and understanding the key features in AWS database services.

Topics to cover for the exam

The AWS Certified Database – Specialty certification exam is totally new. The beta test will cover various domains:

1. Workload-Specific Data Design – 26%.

In this topic, you need to know a thing or two about the appropriate selection of database services for certain workloads and data. You also should have knowledge of developing database solutions in terms of scalability, performance, and compliance, as well as comparing the cost of these solutions.

2. Database Security – 18%.

For this subject, you need to master the knowledge of data encryption in transit and at rest, assessment of audit decisions, search for possible security vulnerabilities, identification of authentication and access control mechanisms.

3. Monitoring and Troubleshooting – 18%.

This exam objective has several subtopics to learn that include optimization of database performance, determination of monitoring and alerting strategies, and troubleshooting database issues.

4. Management and Operations – 18%.

Here, you need to have skills and knowledge of managing the operational environment and determining backup & restore strategies, as well as maintenance processes & tasks.

5. Deployment and Migration – 20%.

You need to know everything about migration and all the processes of execution and verification of data. Moreover, it is important to understand how to determine these strategies and automate the deployment of database solutions.

Format and process of registration for the exam

Regarding the format of the beta test, there will be multiple-response and multiple-choice questions. Those candidates who pass the beta version can become an AWS Certified Database Specialist. The beta exam is available at a discounted rate of $150. To pass it, you need to get at least 750 points The students will receive their scores within 90 days of passing the test. After receiving your certification, it will be valid for 3 years.

It is very simple to register for this exam. Here is how to do it:

1. Move to the training page of AWS.
2. Create a new account if you don’t have one. If you don’t have it, just click on “AWS Certification Account” to create a new one. If you already have it, just sign in.
3. Click on “Certification” after a successful sign in.
4. To schedule the test, click on “Schedule New Exam”.
5. The page will direct you to PSI, the training vendor where you are required to choose a testing center for your exam.
6. Last but not least, locate and click on the AWS Certified Database beta exam option. And complete the registration by following the subsequent guidelines.

Preparation tips for the exam

The candidates are advised to focus on the correct guide for the AWS Certified Database – Specialty exam. The right manual can take the form of specific steps to comprehensively prepare for the test, exactly like the ones highlighted below:

• Take a reliable online certification training or an official AWS training course.
• Take a complete overview of the exam objectives and the blueprint.
• Never underestimate the power of practice when studying for any certification exam.
• Learn more about tricks in order to accurately answer exam questions.
• Understand every exam question in detail instead of simply mugging up solutions.

Conclusion

Anyone who aspires to have the AWS Certified Database – Specialty certification should start focusing on practical experience with Amazon Web Services and database technologies because its exam focuses on the basics of database technologies and applications in the AWS landscape.

Become an Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate showing extensive knowledge and deep understanding of fundamental SQL concepts necessary to take effective responsibility for any database project. Passing the exam reflects depth of knowledge of SQL and its use when working with the Oracle Database server.

Learn more about queries, insert, update and delete SQL statements to get rid of uncertainty. Demonstrate your knowledge of some Data Definition language and Data Control Language, the optimizer, tales and indexes, data modeling and normalization. Thus you’ll pass the Oracle certification exam. Prove your fluency in and a solid understanding of SQL language, data modeling and using SQL to create and manipulate tables in an Oracle Database.

An appropriate qualification indicates that the candidate has knowledge of general computing concepts and command line interfaces, as well as experience working in command line.

The 1Z0-071 exam related to Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate, Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Associate, Oracle Database 11g Administrator Certified Associate, and Oracle PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate certifications is an hour and 40 minutes long and has 73 multiple-choice questions with passing score 63%. This exam was validated against 11g Release 2 version 11.2.0.1.0 and up to 12c Release 1 version 12.1.0.1.0.

As for recommended trainings, there are two Oracle courses that can help you prepare for the exam.

• Oracle Database 12c: Introduction to SQL or
• Oracle Database: Introduction to SQL

But it is advised to keep in mind that exam topics may not map exactly. A multifaceted preparation approach is recommended.

Oracle Certification blogger Brandye Barrington says: “With the 12c release, Oracle Database is re-engineered for Cloud computing. Multitenant architecture brings enterprises unprecedented hardware and software efficiencies, performance and manageability benefits, and fast and efficient Cloud provisioning. Oracle Database 12c certifications emphasize the full set of skills that DBAs need in today’s competitive marketplace.” If you want to keep your database credentials on the leading edge, this could be a (literally) golden opportunity.

Now that the Oracle Database 12c: Advanced Administration exam 1Z0-063 is available, it’s time to talk about exam and certification requirements. Oracle 1Z0-063 exam tests advanced knowledge and skills required of top-performing database administrators, including development and deployment of backup, recovery and Cloud computing strategies.

The new Oracle exam 1Z0-063 contains 80 multiple-choice questions and lasts 2 hours (120 minutes). The passing score is 60% which is incredibly generous for a credential of such level.

Why is This Certification So Important?

With the 12c release, Oracle Database is re-engineered for Cloud computing. Multitenant architecture brings enterprises unprecedented hardware and software efficiencies, performance and manageability benefits, and fast and efficient Cloud provisioning. Oracle Database 12c certifications emphasize the full set of skills that DBAs need in today’s competitive marketplace.

In addition to passing the exam, qualified candidates hold the Oracle Database 12c Database Administrator Certified Associate certification and have completed an Oracle Database 12c approved course. Mastering the advanced concepts delivered in Oracle Database 12c: Backup and Recovery Workshop and Oracle Database 12c: Managing Multitenant Architecture position you to approach this exam prepared for success.

Oracle Database 12c: Advanced Administration exam 1Z0-063 Outline

• Backup and Recovery
• Oracle Data Protection Solutions

    Explain Oracle backup and recovery solutions

• Describe types of database failures
• Describe the tools available for backup and recovery tasks
• Describe RMAN and maximum availability architecture
• Use the SYSBACK privilege
• Use RMAN stand-alone and job commands

Performing Basic Backup and Recovery

• Back up and recover a NOARCHIVELOG database
• Perform backup and recovery in NOARCHIVELOG mode
• Use SQL in RMAN

Configuring for Recoverability

• Configure and manage RMAN settings
• Configure persistent settings for RMAN
• View persistent settings
• Specify a retention policy
• Configure the Fast Recovery Area
• Explain the Fast Recovery Area
• Configure the Fast Recovery Area
• Configure control files and redo log files for recoverability
• Multiplex control files
• Multiplex redo log files

Using the RMAN Recovery Catalog

• Create and use an RMAN recovery catalog
• Configure a recovery catalog
• Register target databases in a recovery catalog
• Catalog additional backup files
• Resynchronize a recovery catalog
• Use and maintain RMAN stored scripts
• Upgrade and drop a recovery catalog

Protect the RMAN recovery catalog

• Back up the recovery catalog
• Re-create an unrecoverable recovery catalog
• Export and import the recovery catalog

Implementing Backup Strategies

Use various RMAN backup types and strategies

• Enable ARCHIVELOG mode
• Create tape and disk based backups
• Create whole database backups
• Create consistent and inconsistent backups
• Create backup sets and image copies
• Create backups of read-only tablespaces
• Employ best practices for data warehouse backups

Performing Backups

Perform full and incremental backups

• Create full and incremental backups
• Use the Oracle-suggested backup strategy

    Manage backups

• Configure and monitor block change tracking
• Report on backups using LIST, REPORT commands
• Manage backups using CROSSCHECK, DELETE commands

Configuring RMAN Backup Options and Creating Backup of Non-Database Files

• Use techniques to improve backups
• Create compressed backups
• Create multi-section backups of very large files
• Create proxy copies
• Create duplexed backup sets
• Create backups of backup sets
• Create archival backups

 Perform backup of non-database files

• Back up a control file to trace
• Back up archived redo log files
• Back up ASM diskgroup metadata

Using RMAN-Encrypted Backups

Create RMAN-encrypted backups

• Use transparent-mode encryption
• Use password-mode encryption
• Use dual-mode encryption
• Restore encrypted backups

Diagnosing Failures

• Describe the Automatic Diagnostic Workflow
• Use the Automatic Diagnostic Repository
• Use ADRCI
• Find and interpret message output and error stacks
• Use the Data Recovery Advisor
• Handle block corruption
• Detect block corruption using RMAN
• Perform block recovery using RMAN

Performing Restore and Recovery Operations

• Describe and tune instance recovery
• Perform complete and incomplete recovery
• Use RMAN RESTORE and RECOVER commands
• Restore ASM disk groups
• Recover from media failures
• Perform complete and incomplete or “point-in-time” recoveries using RMAN

Recovering Files Using RMAN

• Perform recovery for spfile, control file, redo log files
• Perform table recovery from backups
• Perform recovery of index and read-only tablespaces, temp file
• Restore a database to a new host

Using Oracle Secure Backup

• Configure and use Oracle Secure Backup

Using Flashback Technologies

• Describe the Flashback technologies
• Configure a database to use Flashback technologies
• Guarantee undo retention
• Use Flashback to query data
• Use Flashback Query
• Use Flashback Version Query
• Use Flashback Transaction Query
• Flash back a transaction
• Perform Flashback Table operations
• Perform Flashback Table
• Restore tables from the recycle bin
• Describe and use Flashback Data Archive
• Use Flashback Data Archive
• Use DBMS_FLASHBACK_ARCHIVE package

Using Flashback Database

• Perform Flashback Database
• Configure Flashback Database
• Perform Flashback Database

Transporting Data

• Describe and use transportable tablespaces and databases
• Transport tablespaces between databases using image copies or backup sets
• Transport databases using data files or backup sets
• Transport data across platforms

Duplicating a Database

• Choose a technique for duplicating a database
• From an active database, connected to the target and auxiliary instances
• From backup, connected to the target and auxiliary instances
• From backup, connected to the auxiliary instance, not connected to the target, but with recovery catalog connection
• From backup, connected to the auxiliary instance, not connected to the target and the recovery catalog
• Duplicate a database with RMAN
• Create a backup-up based duplicate database
• Duplicate a database based on a running instance

Monitoring and Tuning of RMAN Operations

• Tune RMAN performance
• Interpret RMAN error stacks
• Diagnose performance bottlenecks
• Tune RMAN backup performance

Multitenant Container and Pluggable Database Architecture

• Describe the multitenant container database architecture
• Explain pluggable database provisioning

Creating Multitenant Container and Pluggable Databases

• Configure and create a CDB
• Create a PDB using different methods
• Unplug and drop a PDB
• Migrate a non-CDB database to PDB

Managing a CDB and PDBs

• Establish connections to CDB/PDB
• Start up and shut down a CDB and open and close PDBs
• Evaluate the impact of parameter value changes

Managing Storage in a CDB and PDBs

• Manage permanent and temporary tablespaces in CDB and PDBs

Managing Security in a CDB and PDBs

• Manage common and local users
• Manage common and local privileges
• Manage common and local roles
• Enable common users to access data in specific PDBs

Managing Availability

• Perform backups of a CDB and PDBs
• Recover PDB from PDB datafiles loss
• Use Data Recovery Advisor
• Duplicate PDBs using RMAN

Managing Performance

• Monitor operations and performance in a CDB and PDBs
• Manage allocation of resources between PDBs and within a PDB
• Perform Database Replay

Moving Data, Performing Security Operations and Interacting with Other Oracle Products

• Use Data Pump
• Use SQL*Loader
• Audit operations
• Use Other Products with CDB and PDBs – Database Vault, Data Guard, LogMiner

The credential covers a wide range of topics, including Product/Solution Overview & Positioning, Product Area Features and Functions, Architecture, Solution Implementation, Performance Diagnosis, Performance Tuning, Performance Testing, and Use Cases.

While the Oracle Database Performance and Tuning 2015 Implementation Specialist certification is open for all candidates, its primary target audience appear to be the members of the Oracle PartnerNetwork.

This brand new certification exam (1Z1-417) is now available in the beta testing format at the greatly discounted rate of $50 US. Members of the Oracle PartnerNetwork may be eligible to take this exam for free. You can request your voucher here.

The Z1-417 exam lasts up to 3 hours and reportedly contains 120-150 multiple choice questions.

According to the Oracle’s official materials, it targets database administrators, technical consultants, IT specialists and other professionals with strong knowledge, foundation and expertise in implementing Oracle Databases. It is recommended that candidates have experience in Oracle Database12c and 11g implementations.

The Oracle Database Performance and Tuning Essentials 2015 exam covers topic areas such as:

Oracle Database Performance and Tuning solution

• Oracle Performance Tuning Method
• Strategy, roadmap
• Overview of associated product technology
• Confirming appropriate solution to implement
• Product area features and functions
• Architecture
• Solution implementation, installation, configuration
• Database performance management, best practices
• Database performance tuning, best practices
• Database performance testing, best practices
• Use cases, scenarios

Applicable product technology subject areas include:

• Oracle Database Enterprise Edition
• Single tenant or multitenant
• Core performance diagnostic infrastructure, AWR, ADDM, ASH
• Database Express Performance Hub
• Oracle Diagnostic Pack for Oracle Databases
• Oracle Tuning Pack for Oracle Databases
• Oracle Real Application Testing
• Oracle Real User Experience Insight
• Oracle Application Testing
• Integration with Oracle Enterprise Manager 12c

Interested? Visit Oracle website for details.