Capturing a Database Workload Using Enterprise Manager

This section describes how to capture a database workload using Enterprise Manager. The primary tool for capturing database workloads is Oracle Enterprise Manager.

To capture a database workload using Enterprise Manager:

1. On the Software and Support page, under Real Application Testing, click Database Replay.

   The Database Replay page appears.

2. In the Go to Task column, click the icon that corresponds to the Capture Workload task.

   The Capture Workload: Plan Environment page appears.

3. Verify that all prerequisites are met before proceeding.

   For information about the prerequisites, see "Prerequisites for Capturing a Database Workload".

   For each verified prerequisite, check the box in the Acknowledge column. Once all prerequisites are verified, click Next.

   The Capture Workload: Options page appears.

4. Select the workload capture options:

   • Under Database Restart Options, select whether the database will be restarted before workload capture.

     It is recommended that the database be restarted before capturing a workload to enable a clean state for workload capture. Otherwise, potential problems may arise when replaying the workload. For more information, see "Restarting the Database".

   • Under Workload Filters, select whether to use exclusion filters by selecting Exclusion in the Filter Mode list, or inclusion filters by selecting Inclusion in the Filter Mode list.

     To add filters, click Add Another Row and enter the filter name, session attribute, and value in the corresponding fields. For more information, see "Using Filters with Workload Capture".

   After selecting the desired workload capture options, click Next.

   The Capture Workload: Parameters page appears.

5. Define the parameters for the workload capture:

   • Under Workload Capture Parameters, in the Capture Name field, enter a name for the workload capture. In the Directory Object list, select the directory where the captured workload will be stored. You must select a directory that does not already contain a workload capture. For more information, see "Setting Up the Capture Directory".

     To create a directory object, click Create Directory Object. The Create Directory Object page appears. In the Name field, enter a name for the directory object. In the Path field, enter the path to the directory object. To test if the directory exists in the file system, click Test File System. If the directory does not exist, it will need to be created first.

   • Under Database Shutdown Parameters, select the type of database shutdown method to perform. This option only appears if the database will be restarted before workload capture. The types of available database shutdown methods include:

     • Immediate

       An immediate shutdown will roll back all active transactions and disconnect all connected users before shutting down the database.

     • Transactional

       A transactional shutdown will first complete all active transactions and then disconnect the connected user before shutting down the database.

     • Abort

       An abort shutdown will shut down the database instantaneously by aborting all active transactions.

   • Under Database Startup Parameters, select if the database will restart using the current default server parameter file (spfile) or a specific parameter file (pfile). To select a pfile, enter the fully qualified name for the pfile. This option only appears if the database will be restarted before workload capture.

   After defining the parameters for the workload capture, click Next.

   The Capture Workload: Schedule page appears.

6. Under Job Parameters, define the parameters for the job:

   • In the Job Name field, enter a name for the job name or accept the system generated name.

   • In the Description field, enter an optional description of the job.

7. Under Job Schedule, specify a start time and duration for the workload capture:

   • Under Start, select whether the job will run immediately by selecting Immediately, or at a later time by selecting Later and specifying the desired time using the Date and Time fields.

   • Under Capture Duration, specify how long the job will run by selecting Duration and specifying the desired duration using the Hours and Minutes fields. To not specify a capture duration, select Not Specified. If a capture duration is unspecified, the job must be stopped manually.

8. Under Job Credentials, enter the host and database login credentials:

   • Under Host Credentials, enter the username and password for the host system.

   • Under Database Credentials, enter the username and password for the database that will used for the workload capture. The user needs the DBA privilege in order to capture the workload.

   Click Next.

   The Capture Workload: Review page appears.

9. Review the job settings for the workload capture that have been defined.

   To run the job, click Submit. To make changes, click Back. To cancel the workload capture without saving changes, click Cancel.

10. Depending on the job settings that have been defined:

    • If the job is scheduled to start immediately and the database will be restarted, the Confirmation: Restart Database page appears.

      To restart the database, click Yes.

      The Information: Restart Database page appears while the database is being restarted. Once the database is restarted, the workload capture begins automatically. Click Refresh.

      The View Workload Capture page appears.

    • If the job is scheduled to start immediately but the database will not be restarted, the workload capture begins automatically and the View Workload Capture page appears.

    • If the job is scheduled to start at a later time, the Database Replay page appears with a confirmation that the job has been successfully created.