Oracle8: Network Administration

Exam Facts: 1Z0-016
Passing Score:	43, 69%
Test Type:	Proctored
Format:	62 multiple choice questions
Time Allotted:	90 minutes
Certifications:	Oracle8 Database Administrator
Study Brief:	Online format
Feedback:	Oracle Certified Professional Forum
Topics To Know
By Don Farland, Oraclenotes.com

This exam is by far the easiest one in the track. I only wish that resolving connection issues in the real world were this easy. The exam primarily tests you on Listeners, TNS, Connection Manager, Oracle Names, and Multi-Threaded Server, with a few questions about basic networking, security, and the intelligent agent thrown in for good measure.

TNS represents the basis of this exam, as it is the foundation for which Oracle clients connect to Oracle servers. It is almost certain that the exam will ask two or five questions on the various pieces of the client and server TNS layers, what they do, and real world examples of them in action. This may sound tough, but it really isn't if you understand the purpose of each layer. In addition to knowing the underlying architecture, make sure you know how Oracle resolves service names in local naming, oracle names, and host naming environments. This topic will probably garner three to four questions.

The Listener will feature prominently in this exam as well. Expect to answer anywhere from four to six questions about the listener including how to configure, start and stop the listener process. Also make certain you know how to use the LSNRCTL utility, commands and parameters. After the Listener you will be fairly well tested on how to create a TNSNAMES.ORA and a SQLNET.ORA. However, unlike previous exams where the other exams where almost completely oblivious to the GUI tools, I would recommend brushing up on Net8 Assistant. Look at Net8 easy Config, but don't worry too much about it. I haven't met anyone who has been tested on it.

Connection Manager will probably attract two to three questions and these will primarily focus on the concepts behind CMAN. Read over the information on these until your comfortable with the material and you shouldn't have to worry too much about this section.

Read over the sections on the Intelligent Agent carefully. There will probably only be a couple of questions on it, but there is a lot to know and the questions vary. Also, read up on security and make sure you know the differences between "Data Privacy", "Data Integrity", and "Data Integrity" and how to combat each problem.

After those key areas are covered, focus your attention on MTS. The test will have anywhere from four to six questions on this topic. Make absolutely certain you know the differences between MTS and Standard servers and how the server process function.

You will probably get a question or two about the various parameters required to configure a server to run in MTS, so brush up on them. Finally, know the concepts and method of operation of connection pooling. It is likely that you will get a question or two on this topic.

Again, this exam isn't that tough. If you feel comfortable with the aforementioned topics than you should do well.

Good Luck!