Replaying a Database Workload Using Enterprise Manager

This section describes how to replay a database workload using Enterprise Manager.

To replay 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 Replay Workload task.

   The Replay Workload page appears.

3. In the Directory Object list, select a directory that contains the preprocessed workload that you want to replay.

   After a directory is selected, the Replay Workload page will be refreshed to display the Capture Summary and the Replay History sections. For more information, see "Setting Up the Replay Directory".

   The Capture Summary section displays information about the preprocessed workload capture in the selected directory. To view additional details about the workload capture, expand Capture Details. The expanded Capture Details section displays the workload profile and workload filters used during the workload capture.

4. Click Set Up Replay.

   The Replay Workload: Prerequisites page appears.

5. Verify that all prerequisites are met before proceeding.

   For more information about the prerequisites, see "Steps for Replaying a Database Workload". If you are replaying the workload on a test system, ensure that the test system is properly prepared for replay. For more information, see "Setting Up the Test System".

   Once all prerequisites are completed, click Continue.

   The Replay Workload: References to External Systems page appears.

6. Verify potential references to all external systems and modify any invalid references.

   Use the links available on the Replay Workload: References to External Systems page to verify the database links, directory objects, and Oracle Streams that may be referenced during the workload capture process. There may be other references to external systems that are not included in these categories. For more information, see "Resolving References to External Systems".

   Once all references to external systems have been verified and modified as necessary, click Continue.

   The Replay Workload: Choose Initial Options page appears.

7. In the Replay Name field, you may enter a name for the replay, or simply use the name generated by the system.

8. Under Initial Options, select whether to use default replay options or replay options from a previous replay (if one is available). If multiple replays exist, select the replay you want to use from the Replay Name list.

   Click Next.

   The Replay Workload: Customize Options page appears.

9. Remap captured connection strings to connection strings that point to the replay system.

   Click the Connection Mappings tab. There are several methods you can use to remap captured connection strings. You can choose to:

   • Use a single connect descriptor for all client connections by selecting this option and entering the connect descriptor you want to use. The connect descriptor should point to the replay system.

     To test the connection, click Test Connection. If the connect descriptor is valid, an Information message is displayed to inform you that the connection was successful.

   • Use a single TNS net service name for all client connections by selecting this option and entering the net service name you want to use. All replay clients must be able to resolve the net service name, which can be done using a local tnsnames.ora file.

   • Use a separate connect descriptor or net service name for each client connect descriptor captured in the workload by selecting this option and, for each capture system value, entering a corresponding replay system value that will be used by the replay client.

   For more information, see "Remapping Connections".

10. Specify the replay options using the replay parameters.

    To modify the replay behavior, click the Replay Parameters tab and enter the desired values for each replay parameter. Using the default values is recommended. For information about setting the replay parameters, see "Specifying Replay Options".

    After setting the replay parameters, click Next.

    The Replay Workload: Prepare Replay Clients page appears.

11. Ensure that replay clients are prepared for replay.

    Before proceeding, the replay clients need to be prepared. For more information, see "Setting Up Replay Clients".

    After all replay clients are ready to start, click Next.

    The Replay Workload: Wait for Client Connections page appears.

12. Start the replay clients.

    For information about starting replay clients, see "Setting Up Replay Clients".

    As replay clients are started, the replay client connections will be displayed under Client Connections. When all replay clients have connected, click Next.

    The Replay Workload: Review page appears.

13. Review the options and parameters that have been defined for the workload replay.

    Before starting replay, reset the system clock to a value that is as close to the capture start time as possible. This minimizes any data divergence that may result from replaying a time-sensitive workload. For more information, see "Resetting the System Time".

    To begin replay, click Submit. If no replay clients are connected, this button will be disabled. To make changes, click Back. To cancel replay without saving changes, click Cancel.

    Once the replay is started, the View Workload Replay page appears. For information about monitoring an active workload replay, see "Monitoring an Active Workload Replay".