Test 000-915: System Administration for IBM Informix Dynamic Server Version 9

Note: This test will be withdrawn on Mar 31 2011.

If you are knowledgeable with Informix Dynamic Server Version 9 and are capable of performing the intermediate to advanced skills required in the day-to-day administration of Informix databases, you may benefit from this certification role.

Section 1 - Installation and Configuration (10%)

1. Ensure that system requirements are met for the installation (disk, memory, type of system, etc.)
2. Install IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) 9.x product files
3. Configure the Operation System parameters
4. Set up Operating System files and sqlhosts file
5. Confgure IDS onconfig parameters and environment variables (set Java parameters)
6. Start the database server and initialize disk space, if necessary

Section 2 - Client/Server Communications (8%)

1. Determine appropriate connection types (e.g., network, shared memory, stream pipes)
2. Determine appropriate communication protocols
3. Plan for Distributed System capabilities (e.g., server-to-ser, instance communication, trusted hosts)
4. Edit connectivity files to establish Client/Server communications
5. Edit appropriate onconfig parameters and environment variables (e.g., dbservername, dbserveraliases, nettype)

Section 3 - System Activity Monitoring (12%)

1. Use the onstat utility to monitor system activities
2. Query Sysmaster (SMI) database to obtain system activity snapshot
3. Set up system alram programs (e.g., sysalarmprograms)
4. Monitor the message log file for abnormal activity
5. Use the oncheck command to view information about the database server (e.g., -pe, -pr)

Section 4 - Troubleshooting (14%)

1. Query the sysmaster database to isolate problems
2. Use the onstat utility to isolate problems
3. Use the oncheck utility to verity data consistency
4. Use the onmonitor utility to verify object properties
5. Monitor the message logs for errors

Section 5 - Performance Tuning (24%)

1. Establish Performance Benchmarks ot gauge mormal system activity
2. Recognize Operating System resources affecting system operations
3. Configure shared memory parameters for optimal performance
4. Determine optimal disk layout and configuration
5. Monitor and tune virtual processors for maximum performance
6. Utilize Parallel Database Query (PDQ) to optimize query performance
7. Use UPDATE STATISTICS regularly to achieve optimal performance
8. Configure system for optimal checkpoint duration
9. Configure Physical Log and Logical Logs for optimal system performance
10. Configure Onbar parameters for optimal backup and restore performance
11. Configure network parameters for optimal comunication performance
12. Determine when an instance can/should use AIO or KAIO

Section 6 - dbspace Configuration (11%)

1. Configure and manage dbspaces and sbspaces
2. Configure and manage chunks
3. Establish mirroring of dbspaces
4. Use the appropriate utilities to monitor dbspace properties
5. Prepare cooked files and raw devices for use as dbspace chucks

Section 7 - Normal Operations (12%)

1. Determine the impact that each type of Checkpoint has on IDS functions
2. Recognize fast recovery operations
3. Manage database server operating modes using onmode and/or onmonitor
4. Manage temporary tables and files
5. Determine the size of the physical log for normal activity
6. Determine the number and size of logical logs to accommodate transaction activity
7. Configure the number of Virtual Processors needed for the resources available

Section 8 - Backup and Restore (9%)

1. Select the appropriate backup and restore strategy for a particular situation
2. Select appropriate backup and restore utilities
3. Perform backup and restore operations