MADHU ORACLE APPS & RAC DBA: Oracle Apps DBA Interview Questions

Oracle Apps DBA Interview Questions:

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1. What is FNDSM?

FNDSM is executable & core component in GSM (Generic Service Management Framework). You start FNDSM services via APPS listener on all Nodes in Application Tier in E-Business Suite.

2. What is iAS Patch ?

iAS Patch are patches released to fix bugs associated with IAS_ORACLE_HOME (Web Server Component) Usually these are shipped as Shell scripts & you apply iAS patches by executing Shell script.

Explain Architecture of Oracle Apps 11i?

Apps 11i is Mutli Tier architecture with Desktop Tier (Client Tier), Middle Tier (Application Tier) and Database Tier.

3. What are various components in Application/Middle Tier?

In Application Tier various components are Web Server, Forms Server, Reports Server, Concurrent Manager, Admin Server & Discoverer Server.

4. What is APPL_TOP, COMN_TOP, ORA_TOP.....?

XXX_TOP is top level directory in Oracle Application 11i for respective Component.

5. What is US directory in $AD_TOP or under various product TOP's?

US directory is default language directory in Oracle Applications. If you have multiple languages Installed in your Applications then you will see other languages directories besides US, that directory will contain reports, fmx and other code in that respective directory like FR for France, AR for Arabic.

6. What are the main concurrent Manager types?

ICM - Internal Concurrent Manager which manages concurrent managers

Standard Managers - Manages processing of requests

CRM - Conflict Resolution Managers, resolve conflicts in case of incompatibility

7. Where is Concurrent Manager Log file location?

By default standard location is $APPLCSF/$APPLLOG, in some cases it can go to $FND_TOP/log as well

8. Where would I find .rf9 file, and what exactly it does?

These files are used during restart of a patch in case of patch failure because of some reason.

9. Where is appsweb.cfg or appsweb_$CONTEXT.cfg stored & why is it used?

This file is defined by environment variable FORMS60_WEB_CONFIG_FILE. This is usually in directory $OA_HTML/bin on forms tier. This file is used by any forms client session. When a user tries to access forms, f60webmx picks up this file and based on this configuration file creates a forms session to user/client.

10. What is multi node system?

Multi Node System in Oracle Applications 11i means you have Applications 11i Component on more than one system. Typical example is database, Concurrent Manager on one machine and Forms Server, Web Server on second machine.

11. Can you clone from multi node system to single node system & vice versa?

Yes, this is now supported via Rapid Clone, Check if your system has all prerequisite patches for Rapid Clone and you are on latest rapid clone patch.

12. Does rapid clone takes care of Updating Global oraInventory or you have to register manually in Global oraInventory after clone?

Rapid Clone automatically updates Global oraInventory during configuration phase. You don't have to do anything manually for Global oraInventory.

13. What is .dbc file, where is it stored, what is the use of .dbc file?

DBC. as name suggests is a database connect descriptor file which stores database connection information used by application tier to connect to database. This file is in directory $FND_TOP/secure also called as FND_SECURE.

14. What things you do to reduce patch timing?

Merging patches via admrgpch

Use various adpatch options like nocompiledb or nocompilejsp

Use defaults file

Staged APPL_TOP during upgrades

Increase batch size (Might result into negative)

15. How you put Applications 11i in Maintenance mode?

Use adadmin to change maintenance mode in EBS. If you don't want to put EBS in maintenance mode you can use adpatch options=hotpatch feature.

16. Can you apply patch without putting Applications 11i in Maintenance mode?

Yes, use options=hotpatch as mentioned above with adpatch.

17. What are various options available with adpatch?

Various options available with adpatch depending on your AD version are

autoconfig, check_exclusive, checkfile, compiledb, compilejsp, copyportion, databaseportion, generateportion, hotpatch, integrity, maintainmrc, parallel, prereq, validate

18. adident utility is used for what?

adident utility in oracle apps is used to find version of any file . For example “adident Header <filename>”

What is adsplice utility?

adsplice in oracle apps is utility to add a new product to EBS.

How can you license a product after installation?

You can use ad utility adlicmgr to license product in Oracle Apps.

19. What is MRC? What you do as Apps DBA for MRC?

MRC also called as Multiple Reporting Currency in Oracle Apps. By default you have currency in US Dollars but if your organization’s operating books are in other currency then you as apps DBA need to enable MRC in Apps.

20. What is JVM (Java Virtual Machine) and which component uses JVM?

JVM stands for Java Virtual Machine.

21. What is access_log in apache, what entries are recorded in access_log? Where is the default location of this file?

access_log in Oracle Application Server records all users accessing oracle applications 11i. Its file location is defined in httpd.conf with default location at $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/Apache/logs.

22. Where is Jserv configuration files stored?

Jserv configuration files are stored in $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/Jserv/etc.

23. Where is applications start/stop scripts stored?

Applications start/stop scripts are in directory $COMMON_TOP/admin/scripts/$CONTEXT_NAME

24. What are main configuration files in Web Server (Apache)?

Main configuration files in Oracle Apps Web Server are

httpd.conf, apps.conf, oracle_apache.conf, httpd_pls.conf, jserv.conf, ssp_init.txt, jserv.properties, zone.properties

plsql.conf, wdbsvr.app, plsql.conf

25. How to check if Apps 11i System is Autoconfig enabled?

Under $AD_TOP/bin check for file adcfginfo.sh and if this exists use adcfginfo.sh contextfile=<CONTEXT> show=enabled

If this file is not there, look for any configuration file under APPL_TOP if system is Autoconfig enabled then you will see entry like

# AutoConfig automatically generates this file. It will be read and.......

26. How to check if Oracle Apps 11i System is Rapid Clone enabled?

For system to be Rapid Clone enabled, it should be Autoconfig enabled. You should have Rapid Clone Patches applied.

27. What is the difference between two env files in <CONTEXT>.env and APPS<CONTEXT>.env under $APPL_TOP?

APPS<CONTEXT>.env is main environment file which in turn calls other environment files like <CONTEXT>.env under $APPL_TOP

28. What is your Oracle Apps 11i Webserver Version and how to find it?

In order to find version under IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/Apache/bin

Execute ./httpd -version

29. What is plssql database cache?

In order to improve performance mod_pls (Apache component) caches some database content to file. This plsql cache is used to store session information. plsql cache is used to store plsql cache i.e. used by mod_pls

30. Where is database plssql cache stored?

plssql & session cache are stored under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/ Apache/modplsql/cache directory

31. How to determine Oracle Apps 11i Version?

select RELEASE_NAME from fnd_product_groups;

You should see output like

RELEASE_NAME

11.5.9 or 11.5.10.2

32. What is content of dbc file & why is it important?

DBC file is quite important as whenever Java or any other program like forms want to connect to database it uses dbc file. Typical entry in dbc file is

GUEST_USER_PWD

APPS_JDBC_URL

DB_HOST

33. There are lot of dbc file under $FND_SECURE, How is it determined that which dbc file to use from $FND_SECURE?

This value is determined from profile option "Applications Database ID"

34. What is RRA/FNDFS?

Report Review Agent (RRA) also referred by executable FNDFS is default text viewer in Oracle Applications 11i for viewing output files & log files.

35. What is PCP is Oracle Applications 11i?

PCP is acronym for Parallel Concurrent Processing. Usually you have one Concurrent Manager executing your requests but you can configure Concurrent Manager running on two machines. So for some of your requests primary CM Node is on machine1 and secondary CM node on machine2 and for some requests primary CM is on machine2 & secondary CM on machine1.

36. Why I need two Concurrent Processing Nodes or in what scenarios PCP is used?

If you are running GL month end reports or taxation reports annually these reports might take couple of days. Some of these requests are very resource intensive so you can have one node running long running resource intensive requests while other processing your day to day short running requests. Another scenario is when your requests are very critical and you want high resilience for your Concurrent Processing Node, you can configure PCP. So if node1 goes down you still have CM node available processing your requests.

37. How to confirm if Report Server is Up & Running?

Report Server is started by executable rwmts60 on concurrent manager Node & this file is under $ORACLE_HOME/bin Execute command on your server like

ps -ef | grep rwmts60

38. What is difference between ICM, Standard Managers and CRM in Concurrent Manager?

ICM stand for Internal Concurrent Manager, which controls other managers. If it finds other managers down, it checks & tries to restart them. You can say it is an administrator to other concurrent managers. Standard Manager: These are normal managers which performs actions on the requests and does batch or single request processing. CRM is acronym for Conflict Resolution Manager and is used to resolve conflicts between managers & requests. If a request is submitted whose execution is clashing or it is defined not to run while a particular type of request is running then such requests are assigned to CRM for incompatibilities & conflict resolution.

39. What is use of Apps listener?

Apps Listener usually run on All Oracle Applications 11i Nodes with listener alias as APPS_$SID is mainly used for listening requests for services like FNDFS & FNDSM.

40. How to start Apps listener?

In Oracle 11i, you have script adalnctl.sh which will start your apps listener. You can also start it by command lsnrctl start APPS_$SID (Replace sid by your Instance SID Name)

41. How to confirm if Apps Listener is Up & Running?

lsnrctl start APPS_$SID (replace SID with your Instance Name) so if your SID is VISION then use lsnrctl status APPS_VISION

42. What is Web Listener?

Web Listener is Web Server listener which is listening for web Services (HTTP) request. This listener is started by adapcctl.sh & defined by directive (Listen, Port) in httpd.conf for Web Server.

43. How will you find total number of invalid objects in database?

SQLPLUS> select count(*) from dba_objects where status like 'INVALID';

44. How to compile Invalid Objects in database?

You can use adadmin utility to compile or you can use utlrp.sql script shipped with Oracle Database to compile Invalid Database Objects.

45. How to compile JSP in Oracle Apps?

You can use ojspCompile.pl perl script shipped with Oracle apps to compile JSP files. This script is under $JTF_TOP/admin/scripts. Sample compilation method is

perl ojspCompile.pl --compile --quiet

46. What is difference between adpatch & opatch?

# adpatch is utility to apply oracle apps Patches whereas

# opatch is utility to apply database patches

47. Can you use both adpatch & opatch in Apps?

Yes you have to use both in apps, for apps patches you will use adpatch utility and for applying database patch in apps you will use opatch utility.

48. Where will you find forms configuration details apart from xml file?

Forms configuration at time of startup is in script adfrmctl.sh and appsweb_$CONTEXT_NAME.cfg for forms client connection used each time a user initiates forms connection.

49. What is forms server executable Name?

f60srvm

50. What are different modes of forms in which you can start Forms Server and which one is default?

You can start forms server in SOCKET or SERVLET by default Forms are configured to start in socket mode.

51. How you will start Discoverer in Oracle Apps 11i?

In order to start discoverer you can use script addisctl.sh under $OAD_TOP/admin/scripts/$CONTEXT_NAME or startal.sh under $ORACLE_HOME/discwb4/util (under Middle/Application Tier)

52. How many ORACLE HOME are in Oracle Apps and what is the significance of each?

There are three $ORACLE_HOME in Oracle Apps, Two for Application Tier (Middle Tier) and One in Database Tier.

# ORACLE_HOME 1: On Application Tier used to store 8.0.6 techstack software. This is used by forms, reports & discoverer.

# ORACLE_HOME 2: On Application Tier used by iAS (Web Server) techstack software. This is used by Web Listener & contains Apache.

# ORACLE_HOME 3: On Database Tier used by Database Software usually 8i, 9i or 10g database.

53. Where is HTML Cache stored in Oracle Apps Server?

Oracle HTML Cache is available at $COMMON_TOP/_pages for some previous versions you might find it in $OA_HTML/_pages

54. What happens if you don't give cache size while defining Concurrent Manager?

Lets first understand what is cache size in Concurrent Manager. When Manager picks request from FND CONCURRENT REQUESTS Queues, it will pick up number of requests defined by cache size in one shot & will work on them before going to sleep. So in my views if you don't define cache size while defining CM then it will take default value 1, i.e. picking up one request per cycle.

55. What are few profile options which you update after cloning?

Rapid clone updates profile options specific to site level. If you have any profile option set at other levels like server, responsibility, user....level then reset them.

56. How to retrieve SYSADMIN password?

If forgot password link is enabled and sysadmin account is configured with mail id user forget password link else you can reset sysadmin password via FNDCPASS.

57. If you have done two nodes installation, first machine: Database and concurrent processing server. 2nd machine: form, web. Which machine has admin server/node?

Admin Server will be on First machine with concurrent processing server.

58. What is TWO_TASK in Oracle Database?

TWO_TASK mocks your TNS alias which you are going to use to connect to database. Let’s assume you have database client with TNS alias defined as PROD to connect to Database PROD on machine teachmeoracle.com listening on port 1521. Then usual way to connect is sqlplus username/passwd@PROD; now if you don't want to use @PROD then you set TWO_TASK=PROD and then can simply use sqlplus username/passwd then sql will check that it has to connect to TNS alias define by value PROD i.e. TWO_TASK

59. What is GWYUID?

GWYUID stands for Gateway User ID and password. Usually like APPLSYSPUB/PUB

60. Where GWYUID defined & why is it used in Oracle Applications?

GWYUID is defined in dbc i.e. Database Connect Descriptor file. It is used to connect thin clients to database.

61. What is difference between GUEST_USER_PWD (GUEST/ORACLE) & GWYUID?

GUEST_USER_PWD(Guest/Oracle) is used by JDBC Thin Client where as GWYUID is used by Thick Clients like via Forms Connections.

62. What is 0 & Y in FNDCPASS, FNDLOAD or WFLOAD?

0 & Y are flags for FND Executable like FNDCPASS & FNDLOAD where 0 is request id. 'Y' indicates the method of invocation i.e. it is directly invoked from the command-line not from the Submit Request Form.

63. In a Multi Node Installation, How will you find which node is running what Services?

You can query for table FND_NODES and check for column, SUPPORT_CP (for Concurrent Manager) SUPPORT_FORMS (for forms server), SUPPPORT_WEB (Web Server), SUPPORT_ADMIN (Admin Server), and SUPPORT_DB for database tier. You can also check same from CONTEXT File (xml file under APPL_TOP/admin)

64. If your system has more than one Jinitiator, how will the system know, which one to pick?

When client makes a forms connection in Oracle Applications, forms client session uses configuration file defined by environment variable FORMS60_WEB_CONFIG_FILE.

65. While applying Apps patch using adpatch, if you want to hide the apps password, how will that be possible?

Use adpatch flags=hidepw while applying patches in apps to hide apps or system password being displayed on screen.

66. What is the importance of IMAP Server in Java Notification Mailer?

IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol and Java Notification mailer require IMAP server for Inbound Processing of Notification Mails.

67. What is difference between Socket & Servlet Mode in Apps Forms?

When forms run in SOCKET Mode these are dedicated connection between Client Machine & Form Server. When Forms run in servlet mode there will be additional JVM for Forms Request in that case and you won't start form via adfrmctl.sh.

68. What is make program in Unix?

make is utility in Unix/Linux to maintain , update & generate a file mainly executable.

69. If by mistake someone deleted FNDLIBR can this executable be restored if Yes, How & if no, what will you do?

Yes, you can restore FNDLIBR executables

Run adadmin on concurrent manager node

Select Maintain Applications Files menu

Then select Relink Applications programs

When prompts for “Enter list of products to link ('all' for all products) [all]” select FND

When prompt for “Generate specific executables for each selected product [No]?” select YES

From list of executables select FNDLIBR this will create new FNDLIBR executables

70. What is .pls files which you see with apps?

.PLS file stands for plsql files. In apps patch these files contain code to create package spec or package body or both.

71. What are .ldt & .lct files which you see in apps patch or with FNDLOAD?

.ldt & .lct stands for Loader data file & Loader configuration files, used frequently in migrating customization, profile options, configuration data etc. across Instances.

72. What are .odf file in apps patch?

odf stands for Object Description Files used to create tables & other database objects while applying a patch.

73. Where to find Form Server log files in forms?

Form Server Start up log file default location is $OAD_TOP/admin/log/$CONTEXT_NAME/f60svrm.txt

Forms Run Time Diagnostics default location is $ORACLE_HOME/forms60/log/$CONTEXT_NAME

74. How to convert pll to pld file or pld file to pll ?

pll->pld f60gen module=MSCOSCW3.pll module_type=library userid=apps/<passwd> module_access=file output_file=MSCOSCW1.pld script=yes

pld -> pll f60gen module=MSCOSCW3.pld userid=apps/<passwd> module_type=library module_access=file output_file=MSCOSCW1.pll parse=y batch=yes compile_all=special

75. Does APPS_MRC Schema exist for MRC in 11.5.10 and higher?

No, apps_mrc schema is dropped with 11.5.10 Upgrade & 11.5.10 new Install. This is replaced by more Integrated Architecture.

76. If APPS_MRC schema is not used in 11.5.10 and higher then how MRC is working?

For products like Payable, Receivables which uses MRC and if MRC is enabled then each transaction table in base schema related to currency now has an associated MRC sub tables.

77. When you apply C driver patch does it require database to be Up & Why?

Yes, database & db listener should be UP when you apply any driver patch in apps. Even if driver is not updating any database object connection is required to validate apps & other schema and to upload patch history information in database tables.

78. Can C driver in apps patch create Invalid Object in database?

No, C driver only copies files in File System. Database Object might be invalidated during D driver when these objects are created/dropped/modified.

79. What is dev60cgi & f60cgi?

cgi stands for Common Gateway Interface and these are Script Alias in Oracle Apps used to access forms server . Usually Form Server access directly via http://hostname:port/dev60cgi/f60cgi

80. Why does a worker fail in Oracle Apps Patch and few scenarios in which it failed for you?

Apps Patch worker can fail in case it doesn't find expected data, object, files or anything which driver is trying to update/edit/modify. Possible symptoms may be underlying tables/objects are invalid, a prerequisite patch is missing, login information is incorrect, inconsistency in seed data.

81. What is difference between mod_osso & mod_ose in Oracle HTTP Server?

mod_osso is Oracle Single Sign-On Module where as mod_ose is module for Oracle Servlet Engine.

82. What is difference between COMPILE_ALL=SPECIAL and COMPILE=ALL while compiling Forms?

Both the options will compile all the PL/SQL in the resultant .FMX, .PLX, or .MMX file but COMPILE_ALL=YES also changes the cached version in the source .FMB, .PLL, or .MMB file.

83. What is ps -ef or ps command in Unix? for work ex < 1 yr

ps in unix/linux is a utility to find status of process. Used mainly to find if service/process is running or not.

84. Find application server version?

FND_PRODUCT_GROUPS

85. How will you find the Apache, forms, reports version in an EBS suite?

http –v – Apache

f60gen – Forms

ar60run – Reports

86. Find jinitiator version?

Client side – Control panel

Server side – SID_hostname.xml (s_jinit_ver_)

87. List some ad utilities and their functions?

adadmin, adctrl, adpatch, adlicmgr, admrgpch, adsplice and adworker

88. List out the modules related to oracle Apps DBA?

FND – Application Object Library, AU – Application Utilities, AD – Application DBA

89. What are profile options, what are various types of profile options?

User, application, responsibility and site

90. What are the different types of oracle patches available?

One-off, mini, diagnostics, cu, rup, language, help, platform specific, OS, OPatch, Interoperability, family pack and maintenance pack.

91. What are the different patch drivers available?

C driver, D driver, G driver and U driver.

92. List out the important env files?

Appsora.env, appsSID_hostname.env, adovars.env, APPSSID_hostname

93. What is the utility to change the password of a dba schema in oracle apps?

FNDCPASS

94. What are mandatory users in oracle apps?

applsys, applsyspub, apps

95. What are the components in the Application Tier?

Apache(http)

Jserver(jre)

Forms Server(f60srv)

Metric Server(d2ls)

Metric Client(d2lc)

Report Server(rwm60)

Concurrent Server(FNDLIBR)

Discoverer

96. What are main file systems in Oracle Apps?

APPL_TOP, COMMON_TOP, DB_TOP,ORA_TOP 7

97. What are there in Desktop Tier?

Internet Browser, JInitiator

98. What is the location of JInitiator in the Desktop Tier?

c:\program files\oracle\Jinitiator

99. What is the location of client cache?

c:\documents and settings\user\oracle jar Cache 10.

100. What is the location of Server cache?

$COMMON_TOP/_pages

101. Which package will be used for the user validation by plsql agent?

oraclemypage

102. What are the location of JAVA Files?

JAVA_TOP and all PRODUCT_TOP/Java/Jar

103. What is the name of the xml file of Apps and its location?

Context Name.xml and $APPL_TOP/admin

104. What are adadmin utilities and their location?

$AD_TOP/bin

adadmin

adpatch

adsplice

adident

adrelink

adlicmgr

105. What is the location of Apps environment file and its name?

contextname.env and $APPL_TOP

106. In how many ways Jar files are generated?

Normal and Force

107. Once Jar files are generated what files get affected?

All Product_top/java/jar files and Two files in JAVA_TOP they are appsborg.zip appsborg2.zip

108. How do you see the files in zip file?

unzip -v

109. How do you generate jar files?

Using adadmin and option 5

110. How do you start the apps services?

$COMMON_TOP\admin\scripts\Contextname\adstrtal.sh apps/apps

111. What is the executable to generate jar files?

adjava

112. How do you relink an executable of a product?

By relinking option in adadmin or adrelink

113. How do you relink AD product executable and usage?

adrelink.sh and adrelink.sh force=y "ad adsplice"

114. When do you relinking?

When you miss an executable file

When there is a problem with any executable file

When any product executable gets corrupted

115. What is DAD?

It is a file which stores apps passwords in hard coded format i.e. wdbsvr

116. How do you relink OS files and libraries?

Using make command

117. How do you know the package version?

select text from dba_source where name='package name' and type='PACKAGE BODY' and rownum<10>/rdbms/admin)

118. How do you load java class to database?

loadjava

119. What are restart files and its location?

These files contain the previous session info about adadmin. Location is $APPL_TOP\admin\sid\restart\*.rf9

120. How do you validate apps schema?

To validate synonyms, missing synonyms and all grants use adadmin. After validating it will produce a report in the location $APPL_TOP\admin\sid\out\*.out

121. How do you enable maintenance mode?

Using adadmin or running a script called "adsetmmd.sql ENABLE/DISABLE" (AD_TOP/patch/115/sql)

122. How to see the version of a script or form or report or etc?

adident Header GLXSTEA.fmx

123. What is the location of adadmin log?

$APPL_TOP\admin\sid\log

124. What are the oracle homes in Apps?

8.0.6 ORACLE_HOME(Dev 6i products) and IAS_ORACLE_HOME (Apache)

125. How do you configure your IP address at client side and server side?

c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts and \etc\host

126. What is the location of Database server related scripts?

$ORACLE_HOME\appsutil\scripts\contextname

127. What is the utility to clean the concurrent manager?

@cmclean.sql (You have to download it from metalink)

128. How do you stage the 11.5.10 Apps software?

Using adautostg.pl

129. What is the location of the source files of forms?

AU_TOP/forms/US/

130. What is the executable to generate forms?

f60gen

131. What are the profile options, what are various types of profile options?

You set profile options at the following levels

Site level

Application level

Responsibility level

User level

132. What is APPS listener? Why is it used?

Apps Listener usually run on all Oracle Applications 11i Nodes with listener alias as APPS_$SID and is mainly used for listening requests for services like FNDFS & FNDSM.

133. How do you start/stop apps listener?

lsnrctl start APPS_$SID

134. If users are complaining Oracle Applications 11i system is running slow, following are the things to check?

First as an Overview of Oracle Applications 11i check following things

Broad Level Steps to Check

1. Is Gather stats scheduled? (At least weekly)

2. Is Purge Obsolete Workflow request & concurrent request purging scheduled?

3. Is there any runaway process on database tier or application tier? (Runaway process is process taking unexceptionally long time with high CPU or Memory usages)

4. Any Discoverer process taking long time or High CPU? (Usually on Middle tier)

5. Any Custom report taking long time?

In order to understand problem better

1. Is whole application slow or only component of application is slow (like only Concurrent manager running slow)?

2. If this is with particular component like reports server slow then is a particular report or all reports are slow?

3. Is performance issue during all time or at specific time let’s say from 11AM to 4PM?

4. Was performance issue popped up recently or performance degradation is for long time?

5. What has changed recently?

Depending on answers you can start looking into application. If issue is specific to whole applications then check

1. If database initialization parameter is set correctly?

2. If application sizing is proper, server configuration is enough to accommodate all users?

135. What is Autoconfig?

Autoconfig is method of configuring Oracle Applications. All the information required to configure Oracle Apps 11i is stored in file called Context file. So there are two context files, one for Database Tier and Second for Application Tier. Context file is repository for configuration information stored in xml format. Its xml file and file name format is <SID>_<HOSTNAME>.xml so if your machine name is MACHINE1 and SID is VISION then context file name will be VISION_MACHINE1.xml

136. What is context file?

Oracle stores all the environment specific values in an xml file stored in $APPL_TOP/admin directory, which they call an application context file. This file is created by running adbldxml.sh/adbldxml.pl (Located in $AD_TOP/bin). Adbldxml.sh in turn runs oracle.apps.ad.context.GenerateContext java class.

Context file is generated by plugging in environment specific values in the context file template (don’t confuse this template with the configuration file templates) $AD_TOP/admin/template/adxmlctx.tmp. In older versions of 11i these replacement values were gotten from config.txt file (created by rapidwiz during installation), but in later versions, these values are gotten from the information, in existing configuration files and the database. adbldxml.sh/adbldxml.pl (in newer versions of autoconfig) creates a detailed log file, detailing the source for each context variable.

137. How to create User in Oracle Applications 11i? Can you delete a User?

Choose Users from the Manage menu to create a new user. This opens the Manage Users dialog box, where you choose New to enter information for a new user.

You provide the following user information:

User -- Enter a name that identifies the user.

User Type -- Select the type of the user.

Usernames -- Choose Edit to access the Edit User dialog box where you can associate one or more user names with the user and specify whether the user is authorized to create shareable documents.

Other -- Provide information that is specific to the client type. For example, for a thin-client workstation, you enter the SHELLS directory of the component where you are creating the user and the Express Server instance to which the user's personal database will be connected.

Adding a new user creates a user task and sends it to the Task Processor. If you are not running the Task Processor in the background, you must run it in the foreground to process the user task.

138. What is Single Sign On? (If you are using portal 3.0.9 or 10G)?

Oracle Enterprise Single Sign-On Suite provides users with unified sign-on and authentication across all their enterprise resources, including desktops, client-server, custom and host-based mainframe applications. Even if users travel or share workstations, they can enjoy the flexibility of a single log-on that eliminates the need for multiple usernames and passwords and helps enforce strong password and authentication policies.

139. How to find OUI version?

OUI stands for Oracle Universal Installer.

140. What happens if the ICM goes down?

Since ICM is down so it can't reach other managers & can't shutdown them but yes if because of some reason Standard Manager dies & ICM is already dead Standard managers will not start. The ICM does the work of distributing the concurrent request to standard managers. If ICM goes down the concurrent requests in standard managers will be running fine. But no new request will be assigned to the standard managers. So wait until all your concurrent requests gets completed and then bounce the concurrent managers to start your ICM.

141. Provide a high-level overview of the cloning process and post-clone manual steps?

Rapid Cloning Steps for Windows R12Source System:
1.Run adpreclone.pl in Database Node
2.Perl $ORACLE_HOME\appsutil\scripts\$CONTEX_NAME\adpreclone.pl dbTier
3.Run adpreclone.pl in Apps Node
4.Perl $ADMIN_SCRIPTS_HOME\adpreclone.pl appsTier
5.Shut down the Applications and database
6.Change all services type into manual (option)
7.Restart the system (option)
8.Check if any FNDLIBR programs are running or not
9.Take a cold backup of database and applicationsTarget System:Prepare your target system as per the source system configuration
1.Install Windows Server 2003 service pack 2 Enterprise Edition
2.Install Visual Studio 2005
3.Install Active perl
4.Install Cygwin Change make version from 3.81 into 3.80
5.Copy the Source system backup into target system
6.Set perl locations by using existing env file(It varies between DB node and Apps Node, We will set this two times)
7.Goto the $ORACLE_HOME\appsutil\clone\bin folder and the post clone scripts
8.Run Postclone scripts in db Tier
9.Perl $ORACLE_HOME\appsutil\clone\Bin\adcfgclone.pl dbTier
10.Run Postclone in Apps Tier
11.Perl $COMMON_TOP\clone\bin\adcfgclone.pl appsTierFinishing Tasks:1.Update the profile options
Rapid clone will update the site level profile options only, we need to update instance level profile options manually
2.Update the printer settings
3.Update the workflow configuration settings
Cloning an Oracle Applications instance will not update the host and instance specific information used by Oracle Workflow. Review the following tables and columns to verify there is no instance specific data in the Workflow configuration on the target system.

Important Notes:a)While running Postclone in appsTier it prompts hostname, we should give like hostname.domainname for example sys10.sample.com
b)While running post clone in appsTier it prompts visual studio directory don’t include bin folder. For example give like c:\vc\VC, don’t give like c:\vc\VC\bin

142. Provide an introduction to AutoConfig. How does AutoConfig know which value from the XML file needs to be put in which file?

AutoConfig uses a context file to maintain key configuration files. A context file is an XML file in the $APPL_TOP/admin directory and is the centralized repository. When you run AutoConfig it reads the XML files and creates all the AutoConfig managed configuration files. For each configuration file maintained by AutoConfig, there exists a template file which determines which values to pick from the XML file.

143. Can you tell me a few tests you will do to troubleshoot self-service login problems? Which profile options and files will you check?

Check guest user/password in the DBC file, profile option guest user/password, the DB.

Check whether apache jserv is up.

Run IsItWorking, FND_WEB.PING, aoljtest, etc.

144. What could be wrong if you are unable to view concurrent manager log and output files?

Most likely the FNDFS listener is down. Look at the value of OUTFILE_NODE_NAME and LOGFILE_NODE_NAME in the FND_CONCURRENT_REQUESTS table. Look at the FND_NODES table. Look at the FNDFS_ entry in tnsnames.ora.

145. How will you change the location of concurrent manager log and output files?

The location of log files is determined by parameter $APPLCSF/$APPLLOG and that of output files by $APPLCSF/$APPLOUT.

146. If the user is experiencing performance issues, how will you go about finding the cause?

Trace his session (with waits) and use tkprof to analyze the trace file.

Take a statspack report and analyze it.

o/s monitoring using top/iostat/sar/vmstat.

Check for any network bottleneck by using basic tests like ping results.

147. How will you change the apps password?

Use FNDCPASS to change APPS password.

Manually modify wdbsvr.app/cgiCMD.dat files.

Change any DB links pointing from other instances.

148. Explain the steps for applying apps patch and database patch?

a) Login as applmgr and set the environment. For the Windows environment also, you have to test that CLASSPATH contains %JAVA_TOP%, %JAVA_TOP%\loadjava.zip
b) Create a PATCH_TOP directory in the Base Directory (at the same level as APPL_TOP, COMMON_TOP, etc: this is just a recommendation) for the patches which will be downloaded. If this directory exists, this step can be skipped. An OS environment variable could be created for this directory. This will be done only one time, when the first patch will be applied.
c) Download the patch you want to apply in PATCH_TOP directory and unzip the patch.
d) Understand the README.txt file and complete the prerequisite or manual steps. Here, if there are any patched to apply as pre-requisite, in general, is created a document with all the steps involving in the patching process and the pre-requisite patches will be applied before the initial patch.
e) Ensure that the PLATFORM variable environment (under UNIX, Linux, Solaris) is set
f) Shut down APPS services. The database services and the listener must be up and running.
g) Enable Maintenance Mode.
h) Start AutoPatch in interactive mode. This task must be done from the directory where the patch driver is/was unzipped. Also, respond to the adpatch prompts. If there are more drivers to apply (there is no unified drive: there could be a database (d), copy (c) or generate (g) driver) restart the adpatch and apply the other patches.
i) Review the log files. By default, the location is $APPL_TOP/admin//log and the file is adpatch.log.
j) Review the customizations (if any). If a customization was modified by this patch, the customization must be applied again.

149. What is autoconfig?

AutoConfig is the tool, which is used to configure oracle application systems. It’s basically a perl script. At present there are more than 300 configuration files and environment files in application system. Whenever a change is made to any of the configuration parameter, the change needs to be propagated correctly to correct configuration and environment files. Managing such changes in such large number of files is really difficult.

AutoConfig uses a file called context file, which is used to configure changes. Context file is an XML file having all the parameters of application system. These parameters are part of some configuration file for some services or it may be part of some environment file. When we create an application system (using Rapid install), context file gets created automatically with all the parameters and there values. Most of the parameters take default value, where as some parameters takes the value that is supplied at the time of installation.

150. How to enable diagnostics for oracle applications?

FND: Enable Diagnostics.

151. What is .lgi file?

lgi files are created with patching along with .log files . .lgi files are informative log files containing information related to patch. You can check .lgi files to see what activities patch has done.

152. How will you skip worker during patch?

If in your adctrl there are six options shown then seventh is hidden option. (If there are seven options visible then 8th option is to Skip worker depending on ad version).

153. Which two tables are created at start of Apps Patch and drops at end of Patch?

FND_INSTALLED_PROCESS and AD_DEFFERED_JOBS are the tables that get updated while applying a patch mainly d or unified driver.

154. How to compile an Oracle Reports file?

Utility adrepgen is used to compile Reports. Syntax is given below adrepgen userid=apps\<psswd> source = $PRODUCT_TOP\srw\filename.rdf dest=$PRODUCT_TOP\srw\filename.rdf stype=rdffile dtype=rdffile logfile=x.log overwrite=yes batch=yes dunit=character

155. What is difference between AD_BUGS and AD_APPLID_PATCHES?

AD_BUGS holds information about the various Oracle Applications bugs whose fixes have been applied (i.e. patched) in the Oracle Applications installation.
AD_APPLIED_PATCHES holds information about the "distinct" Oracle Applications patches that have been applied. If 2 patches happen to have the same name but are different in content (e.g. "merged" patches), then they are considered distinct and this table will therefore hold 2 records.

156. How you will troubleshoot if concurrent request is taking long time?

First you will try to check how far the query has gone (if in v$session_longops for example, or reading some session statistics) and if there is contention with another session (such as a lock for example) because it talks about a 'concurrent request'.

Method 1: Trace the session using dbms_system.set_sql_trace_in_session (or) if u r using 10g, using dbms_monitor and look at the trace file to identify where the issue is. You can get the explain plan and tune the query.
Method 2:
1. Is this a new query (or) an existing query
2. Look for the wait event associated to this query.
3. What is the elapsed time for this query?
4. Are there are any db deadlocks?
5. Are there any long operations?
6. Are there any long transactions?
7. Based on the sql hash value, look at the sql_text from v$sql
8. Run an explain plan (or) use oradebug and trace the query if what bind variables are using and how the
data distribution is.
9. Based on the above information, look for when statistics was collected
10. If it is an old query, check if the plan has changed and if so, why?
Once u understand where the problem is, then solutions can be defined ranging from creating sql profiles / stored outlines (or) adding hints to the query and thoroughly test your changes.
Always remember to make one change and test for performance change. If you make a series of changes, it will be very difficult to isolate which has caused the performance improvement.

157. Why I need shared APPL_TOP?

If you have two/three Middle Tier for Large User base then you have to install APPL_TOP, COMMON_TOP & ORA_TOP equal to number of Nodes in your configuration. So if you have three middle tiers, then you need these three top three times & if there are N nodes you need N time these three tops. This result in lots of Space Requirement & bigger problem is patching so if you have 5 nodes you need to apply apps patch 5 times.

So Oracle came up with solution to have single APPL_TOP which is shared across all nodes in apps. This will save space as well as patch timing. This concept of sharing APPL_TOP file system across all Middle Tier Nodes is called APPL_TOP.

You will say if I can share APPL_TOP why can't I share COMMON_TOP & ORA_TOP as well which are also part of Application Tier, Yes you can & this concept is called as Shared Application Tier.

158. What is Shared Application Tier?

Sharing Application Tier (including APPL_TOP, COMN_TOP, ORA_TOP) across all Middle Tier Nodes in configuration is called as Shared Application Tier. So I can say shared APPL_TOP is subset of shared Application Tier, initially shared APPL_TOP came out & based on its advantages & popularity later COMMON_TOP & ORA_TOP files were also included & entire concept is called as Shared Application Tier.

159. Limitation with Shared APPL_TOP and Application Tier?

If you are running Apps on Windows you'll be sad to hear that it’s not certified with Windows Operation System. More over you can share across same operation system like Linux to Linux & Solaris to Solaris.

160. What are the request incompatibilities? How conflict resolution concurrent manager solve them?

Checks if a request in queue can be run in parallel with the running request.

161. Where and how you update workflow notification mailer configuration setting?

This depends on which workflow mailer you are running C Mailer or Java Mailer

162. If you want to change Concurrent Manager log and out file location, is it possible, If Yes, How? If No, why not?

By default standard location is $APPLCSF/$APPLLOG, in some cases it can go to $FND_TOP/log as well.

163. How frequent you run Gather Schema Statistics program & with what option? Why you need to run it? What is cost based optimizer?

In Oracle Database there is something called Cost Based Optimizer (CBO) which other than doing many things also does query optimization. That is it determines the best or optimum method to run a query. Now when large changes to the data or database take place, the system performance may get slow. DBMS_STATS is the package which collects statistics for Cost Based Optimizer. Collecting Statistics lets the CBO know about the best methods for query optimization. The statistics include the Table statistics, Column statistics, Index statistics and System statistics. The DBMS_STATS package includes the following procedures

1.GATHER_INDEX_STATS, Index statistics

2.GATHER_TABLE_STATS, Table, column, and index statistics

3.GATHER_SCHEMA_STATS,Statistics for all objects in a schema

4.GATHER_DICTIONARY_STATS,Statistics for all dictionary objects

5.GATHER_DATABASE_STATS,Statistics for all objects in a database

Of all of the above usually the most used is GATHER_SCHEMA_STATS to gather statistics of all objects within a particular Schema. The Gather Schema Statistics process should be run on a regular basis (weekly at a minimum) and anytime large changes to the data or database take place.

164. If we run autoconfig which files will get effected?

In order to check list of files changes during autoconfig , you can run adchkcfg utility which will generate HTML report. This report will list all files and profile options going to change when you run AutoConfig.

165. What is difference between .xml file and AutoConfig?

Autoconfig is Utility to configure your Oracle Application environment. xml file is repository of all configuration from which AutoConfig picks configuration and populates related files.

166. What are few profile options which you update after cloning?

Rapid clone updates profile options specific to site level. If you have any profile option set at other levels like server, responsibility, user level then reset them.

167. How you will avoid your query from using indexes?

By changing the order of the columns that are used in the index, in the Where condition, or by concatenating the columns with some constant values.

168. What is an OUTER JOIN?

An OUTER JOIN returns all rows that satisfy the join condition and also returns some or all of those rows from one table for which no rows from the other satisfy the join condition.

Oracle Apps DBA Interview Questions

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