SOME ONE SAID

 Featuring a multi-tenant architecture that streamlines the process of consolidating databases onto the cloud and enables organizations to manage many databases as one, Oracle Database 12c is a next-generation database. To avoid confusion, however, here are 10 things that Oracle Database 12c is not:

1. Oracle Database 12c is not a return to the days of timeshared systems. Multi-tenant capability refers to the ability to create secure and segregated pluggable databases that share the System Global Area memory to allow databases with differing security requirements and schema architectures to co-exist within the same master container database.

2. The “c” in 12c means “cloud” but having a single 12c database does not mean you’re doing cloud computing. Cloud computing refers to creating a robust and resilient systems deployment with redundant application, database, and connectivity nodes making failover transparent to the end user. The 12c release incorporates additional flexibility features designed to support asymmetrical host configurations in geographically-disparate sites which further enables the product to support the challenges found in architecting cloud infrastructure.

3. “Pluggable databases” does not mean it arrives on a USB flash drive. The multi-tenancy features enable database administrators (DBAs) and architects to incorporate relatively seamless transport of entire databases between containers. This enhancement allows many routine software development lifecycle steps to be completed faster and more reliably by making the process of cloning, copying, and database replication a simpler, faster and easier experience. The behind-the-scenes technology advances which prepare, package, and stabilize pluggable databases for transport to other containers automates a huge number of manual steps normally performed with command-line equivalents into a virtually unplug, then plug, and go experience.

4. Far Sync does not refer to some kind of science fiction time portal. This is an extension of the Data Guard (DG) technology which now supports synchronous (i.e., real-time) updates between DG-protected instances even when connected over wide-area network connections.

5. Flex ASM and Flex Clusters have nothing to do with bodybuilding. But it is a bit like seeing Advanced Storage Management non steroids as it now can support asymmetrically configured hosts in the same cluster.

6. Database Creation and Upgrade Assistants are no longer mere beginner tools to be ignored by expert DBAs. Database 12c has extensively reworked the Assistant toolsets to become more consistent and uniform in regard to the user experience, and include oft-requested features such as real-time event log viewing and interactive issue resolution. Most importantly, these Assistants are designed to incorporate pre- and post-process steps automatically during the workflow process to ensure your database administration occurs without unexpected (and undesired) results. The incorporation of an “Undo” style feature to all activities makes it that much more desirable to use.

7. Enterprise Manager (EM) Express is not a business management acceleration tool. It is a lightweight service-based replacement for the oft-criticized DB Control web tool provided with prior releases. EM Express enables basic management and diagnostic monitoring of an instance. By leveraging built-in database functionality, such as XMLDB, EM Express becomes a seamless integrated component of the database itself, and is delivered with an Oracle EM 12c Grid Control-style interface to minimize the learning curve and cross-training.

8. The release of Oracle Database Release v12.1.0 does not mean you should wait for v12.2.0 so all the bugs can be fixed.With Database 12c, Oracle modified its release cycle to incorporate customer and user-group testing and feedback as part of the entire beta release program to ensure “real-world” issues were resolved before announcing general availability.

9. Parallel upgrades and patching doesn’t refer to running the upgrades and patches on multiple separate machines. All of the Assistant tools now incorporate parallel-processing and Out-of-Place (switchable Oracle Homes) patching support to leverage whatever resources are available on the hosting platform to enable faster maintenance cycles and minimize downtime. If your configuration involves multiple host clusters of any kind, these improvements will significantly improve the consistency and process of routine maintenance.

10. General availability release does not equal certification. Every Oracle-supported application has a certification matrix showing which versions are compatible with which product release. Oracle’s certifications will be released after appropriate quality assurance has taken place, and rest assured, that’s still the best way to keep your Oracle-based technology running smoothly.