So, let me ask another question to make sure I'm clear on something. When we spin up the new VDB (QA1 - for example) from our Prod data source, the size of our QA VDB is NOT the same size as Production, is that true? That was my understanding but I wanted to make sure. Thanks! Chris On Wed, Oct 29, 2014 at 1:35 PM, kyle Hailey <kylelf@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Hi Chris, > > As Tim noted Delphix tracks changes at the storage level, which for > Oracle databases amounts to tracking data block changes, thus we don't know > what SQL command were run to modify the database, only that some blocks > were changes and we track the before and after in order to support many > clones off the same underlying shared data. > > For tacking changes at the SQL layer, a good tool is DB Maestro and DB > Maestro and Delphix have done a number of webinars together to explain how > the technologies are complimentary: > > http://www.oraclerealworld.com/version-controlled-databases-and-data/ > > http://www.oraclerealworld.com/dbmaestro-delphix-partner-for-agile-data-development/ > > Best > Kyle > > > On Wed, Oct 29, 2014 at 11:27 AM, Tim Gorman <tim@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > >> Chris, >> >> First, some background to clarify things... >> >> Production is the "source" database. Let's say that PROD is initially >> loaded into Delphix while it is at code release x.x.2. Once that occurs, >> QA is cloned as a "virtual database" or VDB from the "dSource" of PROD. >> Once a VDB is created, it is an independent branch from its dSource. >> >> So, QA is gradually modified from code release x.x.2 to x.x.3 in the >> normal course of events, which doesn't affect the dSource of PROD at all. >> The dSource of PROD is constantly in synch with the source database PROD, >> and any new VDBs created from the dSource of PROD will initially be x.x.2 >> as well, but then become independent branches in their own right. >> >> Eventually, code release x.x.3 within QA is declared ready for >> production, and the deployment into the source database PROD occurs, so >> those changes are recorded and propagated into the dSource of PROD within >> Delphix. No problems. The existing VDBs are not affected by these >> changes, including QA. >> >> As you mention, QA has progressed to x.x.3.y, which doesn't affect >> anything around it. The upgrade of PROD to x.x.3 does not affect QA. The >> propagation of any changes in PROD to the dSource of PROD in Delphix does >> not affect QA. Everything is independent of one another. >> >> Now, to answer your questions... >> >> Q1. How can we preserve the differences in the QA environment when we >> want to create a new QA VDB and replace the prior one - that is, does >> Delphix provide that capability to generate a set of differences scripts to >> be replayed after the new VDB is created to bring the objects up to speed >> with the latest changes, OR would that be a function of the DBA/Dev teams >> to capture the changes prior to creating the VDB and replaying them >> manually? >> >> *A1. Delphix does not generate a "differences script" as you describe. >> However, there are a variety of tools (such as TOAD) that do compare two >> databases and produce such a script. Delphix can maintain the QA database >> at code release x.x.3.y, and Delphix can create a new VDB (named QA1) from >> the current dSource at code release x.x.3. A DBA can point TOAD at the two >> VDBs to generate the differences script.* >> >> >> Q2: How does Oracle licensing fit into this with VDBs? >> >> *A2: * >> *Delphix only virtualizes storage (i.e. datafiles, tempfiles, redo >> logfiles, archivelogs, control files, spfiles/pfiles, etc). Oracle >> licenses by CPU or named-user. This means that Delphix has no direct >> impact on Oracle licensing. As far as any indirect impact is concerned, it >> can be said that by creating VDBs more quickly using less storage, Delphix >> can have the effect of causing more Oracle licenses to be consumed, because >> it will become easier to generate more databases. However, this is purely >> a local choice, as DBAs could simply cram more database instances onto >> existing servers to preserve licenses. * >> >> >> Hope this helps! >> >> Thanks! >> >> -Tim >> >> >> >> On 10/29/14 11:14, Chris Taylor wrote: >> >> Given the following scenario, can you share some answers/ideas to the >> questions that follow. This should be "on topic" I believe as related to >> leveraging this as a support function of the Oracle DBA group - or working >> in conjunction with a development/change management group. >> >> QA Environment at code release x.x.3 >> Production at code release x.x.2 >> >> Production is updated to x.x.3 >> >> Some additional changes still reside in QA however that are not in Prod. >> >> 1. How can we preserve the differences in the QA environment when we >> want to create a new QA VDB and replace the prior one - that is, does >> Delphix provide that capability to generate a set of differences scripts to >> be replayed after the new VDB is created to bring the objects up to speed >> with the latest changes, OR would that be a function of the DBA/Dev teams >> to capture the changes prior to creating the VDB and replaying them >> manually? >> >> 2. How does Oracle licensing fit into this with VDBs? >> >> Sincerely! >> Chris Taylor >> >> >> On Wed, Oct 29, 2014 at 11:02 AM, kyle Hailey <kylelf@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: >> >>> >>> If you are interested in early access to the first publicly >>> downloadable version of Delphix, email me back and send me your linkedin >>> profile URL. I'll send you the download info back via Linkedin. >>> >>> At OOW we launched the public access to Delphix called #CloneAttack >>> (like #RacAttack) and ran it at the OTN lounge. Now we are rolling it out >>> on a limited download basis. >>> >>> Delphix allows you to clone data, especially databases notably Oracle, >>> in minutes no matter the size for hardly any storage . see >>> http://blog.delphix.com/kyle/2014/delphix/ for more info >>> >>> Now we running a limited download program. We have a trial version of >>> Delphix and hands on lab that include 3 virtual machine OVAs. One VM is a >>> Linux source with an Oracle database. Another VM is a Linux target for >>> creating clones. And the 3rd is a Delphix VM that creates the clones. >>> >>> A video of the lab install is here https://vimeo.com/106979766 >>> >>> A video of an exercise using cloning is here >>> https://vimeo.com/106979766 >>> >>> Best Wishes >>> Kyle Hailey >>> http://kylehailey.com >>> >>> >