Data Systems Administration (D330)

Explanation:

The System Monitor (SMON) is a background process responsible for instance recovery after a crash. It rolls forward committed transactions using redo log files and cleans up temporary segments that are no longer in use. SMON ensures that the database can recover to a consistent state after failures, maintaining database integrity. It operates automatically in the background and is essential for database reliability and stability.

Correct Answer:

Performing instance recovery using the online redo log files

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Writing the redo log buffer information to the online redo log files

This is the responsibility of the Log Writer (LGWR), not SMON. LGWR ensures transaction durability by writing redo entries to disk.

Executing user queries

User queries are executed by foreground processes associated with the client session. SMON does not handle user-initiated SQL execution.

Performing session cleanup

Session cleanup is primarily handled by the Process Monitor (PMON), which recovers resources for failed or terminated user processes. SMON focuses on instance recovery and temporary segment cleanup, not session-specific cleanup.

Explanation:

Resumable space allocation allows certain operations, like large inserts or index builds, to pause instead of failing when they encounter space-related errors such as running out of tablespace or hitting quota limits. The operation is suspended while it waits for the DBA to correct the underlying problem, such as adding more space. Once the issue is fixed, the operation automatically resumes from where it left off, preventing the need to restart the entire transaction.

Correct Answer:

Resumable space allocation

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Segment shrinking is used to reclaim unused space within a segment and can compact data to free space back to the tablespace. It does not suspend failed transactions or wait for external problems to be fixed.

Instance recovery occurs after a database crash or failure, using redo logs and undo information to restore the database to a consistent state. It deals with crash recovery, not with suspending transactions due to space problems.

Oracle managed files is a feature that automates file creation and management for database files like datafiles, redo logs, and control files. It does not provide any mechanism to pause and resume user transactions when space or quota issues occur.

Explanation:

In Oracle, PUBLIC is a special pseudo-user that represents all database users. When privileges are granted to PUBLIC, every user in the database automatically receives those privileges without the need for individual grants. This is commonly used for granting access to shared resources or system-wide functionality.

Correct Answer:

PUBLIC

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

SCOTT is a sample schema used for demonstrations and testing. Granting privileges to SCOTT affects only that specific account and not all database users.

SYSTEM is a powerful administrative account, but privileges granted to SYSTEM do not automatically propagate to every user in the database.

DBSNMP is the account used for Oracle Enterprise Manager monitoring and does not distribute its privileges to other users.

Explanation:

In Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC), each instance runs on a separate node but connects to a single shared database. An instance cannot span multiple databases; it can only be associated with one database at a time. RAC allows multiple instances to coordinate access to the same database, providing scalability and high availability, but each instance’s connection is strictly one-to-one with a single database.

Correct Answer:

One

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Two

An instance cannot connect to two databases simultaneously. RAC enables multiple instances, but each instance is associated with only one database, so the notion of connecting a single instance to two databases is incorrect.

Multiple

Even though RAC allows multiple instances across nodes, each instance still only connects to a single database. Associating one instance with multiple databases is not supported in Oracle RAC architecture.

None

Every instance must be connected to a database to operate. An instance without a database is not functional, making this option incorrect.

Explanation:

The DIAGNOSTIC_DEST parameter specifies the base directory for all Oracle diagnostic files, which include the alert log, trace files, and incident information. By setting DIAGNOSTIC_DEST, Oracle automatically places the alert log inside the appropriate trace directory under this location. This parameter centralizes diagnostic data management and allows administrators to easily control where key diagnostic files are stored without needing to set multiple separate parameters.

Correct Answer:

DIAGNOSTIC_DEST

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

AUDIT_FILE_DEST defines the location where audit trail files are written when database auditing is enabled. These audit records track security-related database activities and are not related to the alert log. Changing this parameter only affects audit file storage and has no influence on where the alert log is kept.

LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST specifies the directory where archived redo log files are stored for recovery purposes. These redo logs are critical for point-in-time recovery but are completely different from the alert log, which records database events and messages. Therefore, this parameter does not determine the alert log location.

CORE_DUMP_DEST determines where core dump files are written in the event of an Oracle process failure. Core dumps are low-level diagnostic files used for debugging crashes and are unrelated to the routine alert log. Adjusting this parameter will not affect where the alert log is placed.

Explanation:

DBUA retrieves the list of databases from the Oracle Local Registry (OLR) file, which is stored with a name format of host_name.olr. This file contains essential cluster and database configuration information used by Oracle utilities to identify databases on the host. DBUA reads the OLR to automatically display the databases that can be upgraded, making host_name.olr the correct source file.

Correct Answer:

host_name.olr

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

tnsnames.ora

This file contains network service names and connect descriptors for clients to establish connections to Oracle databases over the network. It is used for client connection resolution, not for listing local databases for an upgrade operation.

glogin.sql

This is a SQLPlus global login script that executes when a SQLPlus session starts. It can set environment settings or run startup commands, but it does not store or provide a list of databases to the Database Upgrade Assistant.

sqlnet.ora

The sqlnet.ora file contains network configuration parameters that control Oracle Net features such as encryption, authentication, and connection timeout settings. It plays no role in identifying or listing databases for DBUA upgrades.

Explanation:

V$SPPARAMETER displays the current contents of the server parameter file (SPFILE), including parameters modified with the ALTER SYSTEM command using SCOPE=SPFILE. These changes are stored in the SPFILE and will only take effect after the next database restart. This view allows administrators to see pending parameter changes that are not yet active but will be applied the next time the instance starts.

Correct Answer:

V$SPPARAMETER

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

V$NLS_PARAMETER provides information about National Language Support parameters such as date formats and character settings currently in effect. It does not track changes stored in the SPFILE or any pending modifications made with SCOPE=SPFILE. Since its purpose is limited to NLS configuration details, it cannot display SPFILE-based parameter changes.

V$HS_PARAMETER contains settings specific to heterogeneous services, which are used to communicate with non-Oracle databases through gateways. These parameters are unrelated to initialization parameters stored in the SPFILE. Because of its specialized role in external database connectivity, it does not reflect or record SPFILE modifications made with SCOPE=SPFILE.

V$PARAMETER shows the initialization parameters that are currently active for the running instance. While it reflects dynamic changes that take effect immediately, it does not display values that have been altered only in the SPFILE and are waiting to be applied on the next startup. Therefore, it is not the correct view for identifying SCOPE=SPFILE changes.

Explanation:

The SELECT_CATALOG_ROLE provides the necessary access to read data dictionary views, such as DBA_TAB_PRIVS and other catalog views, which show information about table privileges granted to users. This role is specifically intended to allow querying of these system catalogs and is the standard way to grant read-only access to metadata about other users’ privileges.

Correct Answer:

SELECT_CATALOG_ROLE

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

CONNECT is a basic role for establishing sessions and does not provide the ability to query data dictionary views containing privilege information.

EXECUTE_CATALOG_ROLE allows execution of PL/SQL packages and procedures in the data dictionary, not read access to table privilege views.

RESOURCE grants privileges to create and manage objects like tables and procedures but does not allow viewing other users’ table privileges.

Explanation:

All of the listed SGA components—redo log buffer, Streams pool, Java pool, and Shared pool—can be configured dynamically in modern Oracle versions using automatic memory management features. Oracle allows dynamic adjustment of SGA components without restarting the database, meaning none of these are strictly static. Therefore, there is no SGA component among these that is configured only at startup and cannot be dynamically changed.

Correct Answer:

None of the above

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Redo log buffer

The redo log buffer can be resized dynamically in databases that support automatic memory management. It is not fixed only at startup, so stating it cannot be dynamically managed is incorrect.

Streams pool

The Streams pool is part of the SGA dedicated to Oracle Streams and can be adjusted dynamically while the database is running. It does not require a restart for size changes, so it is not a static component.

Java pool

The Java pool, which supports Java execution in the database, can also be dynamically resized in many Oracle configurations. It is not exclusively configured at startup.

Shared pool

The Shared pool can be managed dynamically through features like Automatic Shared Memory Management (ASMM), allowing administrators to adjust memory allocations without restarting the database. It is not fixed at startup.