By Howard Fosdick
In “Certification Options for Database Administrators” (September 2001), Ken Lawrence introduced what database administrators (DBAs) do and emphasized the value of DBA certification.
In this follow-up article, we get more specific. Exactly what tests must you pass for each DBA certification, and how should you study for those exams? Are there certification “secrets” that will help you pass? We concentrate on the three most popular DBA certification programs: the Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) DBA certification, IBM’s DB2 certifications and the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA). In the end, you’ll know the unwritten rules of thumb many have learned only after taking the tests.
Oracle’s DBA Tests
The OCP program offers several database-related certifications, including Database Operator, Applications Developer and Java Developer, but in this article, we’ll focus solely on the DBA certification.
As Figure 1 shows, you must pass five tests and you can take them in any order. In order to keep current, you have to take one upgrade test whenever a new version of Oracle is released. Upgrade tests are always called “Oracle XX: New Features for Database Administrators,” where XX stands for the new release number. Contrary to what the Web site suggests, Oracle does not enforce a rigid deadline by which you must take an upgrade test. Oracle takes no action against you if you do not meet the deadline. Of course, your certification utlimately becomes less valuable if you do not take upgrade tests in a timely fashion because the IT industry eventually moves to new releases even if you do not.
| Figure 1: ORACLE’S CERTIFICATION ROADMAP Five Required Exams Upgrade Exams Further information at www.oracle.com
|
The Secrets to Passing
To pass the Oracle exams, taking sample tests is critical. Oracle offers small free assessment tests online, and various books include sample tests on their enclosed CDs. But you’ll notice on the Web site that Oracle specifically pitches sample tests from Self Test Software (www.selftestsoftware.com). In fact, these CDs more closely mirror the actual tests than any other sample tests available. Given that the typical Oracle DBA test contains only 50 or 60 questions and that you must get roughly 70 percent correct to pass, knowing the answers to some of the hardest questions confers an enormous advantage. In my own experience, I took my first two tests without the Self Test Software practice exams, then I purchased the CDs for the next tests, and my scores jumped dramatically. For borderline candidates, these sample tests could easily be the difference between passing and failing.
You’ll also want to get some hands-on experience with Oracle. If you can’t get it at work, you can get a free copy of the database to install on your PC at home. You can get versions for Windows, Linux or various flavors of UNIX either from the Oracle Web site or from the CDs accompanying many books. Oracle typically packages the entire Enterprise Edition database for free, the only restriction being that it is accessible by only a small number of users. Oracle’s database always includes a full set of documentation in PDF or HTML formats.
Another key resource is Oracle’s free DBA Simulators (see www.oracle.com/education/certification/index.html). These offer hands-on simulation for specific problem-solving situations.
Which books should you purchase? First, you should realize that no single source can cover all of the test topics thoroughly. You can browse through the more popular books at any Borders or Barnes and Noble bookstore to get your own impressions. Or go to Amazon.com or Fatbrain.com and read reviews of the books. My own favorites for the Oracle exams are the books in the Coriolis Exam Cram series, several of the study guides published by Sybex and some of those written by Jason S. Couchman, published by Oracle Press/Osborne.
Do you need to take vendor-run courses or attend boot camp classes? I believe that experienced DBAs do not. Less experienced personnel or those new to the product may find such courses essential.
IBM’s DBA Tests
IBM’s DB2 certification program is very different from the OCP program. Whereas Oracle’s program is monolithic and requires five tests, IBM’s program is modular. You become certified with a different designation after you pass each test.
First you must take the DB2 Fundamentals test to become a Certified DB2 User, as Figure 2 illustrates. Then you can take any of four different exams. Each designates you a Certified Solutions Expert (CSE) in a specific area. To become an IBM CSE - DB2/mainframe DBA, you have to take the DB2 UDB for OS/390 Database Administrators exam. Or you can take the DB2 UDB for UNIX, Windows and OS/2 Database Administrators exam to become an IBM CSE - DB2 DBA for UNIX, Windows and OS/2. The four CSE tests are totally independent of one another. Take any of them (or any combination) in any order. The bottom line is that you only need to pass two tests to become an IBM CSE - DB2 DBA. IBM offers three additional tests, which count toward Advanced Technical Expert certification in three areas: Clustering, DRDA or Replication. Like the four CSE tests, the advanced tests are independent of one another. Take all, one, or none, as you see fit.
| Figure 2: IBM DB2 CERTIFICATION ROADMAP | ||
| First Exam #512-DB2 Family Fundamentals | CSE Exams #513-DB2 Database Administration #516-DB2 Database Administration #514-DB2 Family #515-Business | Advanced Tech Expert Exams #506-DB2 for Clusters #507-DB2 DRDA #508-DB2 Data Replication |
| Version 7 diagram (Version 6 is also current as of December 2001) | ||
IBM’s DBA program is new enough that there is still no word on how upgrade tests will work. Right now, if you were an IBM CSE - DBA for DB2 Version 6, you would take the Version 7 DBA test to become current with the new release. Assuming this pattern continues, you would take one upgrade test per new release (just like Oracle’s program).
The Secrets to Passing
Perhaps because IBM’s program is relatively new, there are no independent sample tests, as thewwwre are for Oracle and Microsoft. There are two keys to passing the DB2 tests. First, purchase and study the official certification guides published by Prentice Hall PTR. There is one guide for each test, and most come with small sample tests. (Other short sample tests can be obtained from IBM’s Web site.) As always, study from more than one source. Second, download and study IBM’s free PC-based course. It’s called “Fast Path to DB2 for Experienced Relational DBAs,” and you can download it at no cost from www-4.ibm.com/software/data/db2/selfstudy. The course is GUI-based (with optional sound) and runs on Windows PCs.
The DB2 tests have from 50 to 80 questions, for which you’re given 60 to 90 minutes. The number you must get correct is low (only 55 percent for the two tests required for DB2 Version 7 DBA certification for UNIX and Windows), but the tests are tough, and passing scores in the 60 percent to 85 percent range are common. Fewer questions require memorization than on the Oracle and Microsoft tests; more require the ability to solve problems using DB2.
Microsoft’s DBA Tests
To become a Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), you must pass four tests. The first test certifies you as a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), and the other three are required to attain the MCDBA. You may take the four tests in any order.
As Figure 3 shows, you must pass two tests on SQL Server: Administering SQL Server and Designing and Implementing Databases with SQL Server. You also must pass one test on a current version of Windows Server. Beyond these three core tests, you can select one elective from a list of five or six choices.
| Figure 3: MICROSOFT SQL SERVER CERTIFICATION ROADMAP | |
| 3 Required Core Exams Administering SQL Server Designing and Implementing Windows 2000 Server OR Windows .NET Server | 1 Elective Exam (Pick any test from the list below) Designing and Implementing |
| As of December 2001, Microsoft offers tests for both SQL Server 2000 and SQL Server 7. See www.microsoft.com/trainingandservices for current details. | |
Microsoft does not offer any database-related certifications beyond the MCDBA. However, if you have taken any of the MCDBA-required tests while pursuing other Microsoft certifications, you may apply them toward the MCDBA. For example, if you passed a qualifying Windows Server test while earning the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), you can count that test toward your MCDBA.
Microsoft’s policy for keeping your certification current is quite different from Oracle’s and IBM’s. If you do not take upgrade tests within deadlines set by Microsoft, you lose the certification. Microsoft’s “decertification” approach has been widely criticized, and it certainly works against the interests of those who certify. Why does Microsoft take this approach? The company depends heavily on revenue from software upgrades. Apparently, it views the certification program as a lever to force software upgrades.
Unlike its competitors, Microsoft’s DBA certification depends on the releases of two products (Windows Server and SQL Server), rather than just the database. Given the rapidity of Microsoft product upgrades, keeping your MCDBA current could be challenging. If you are considering taking the MCDBA tests, you might give these facts deep thought before proceeding.
The Secrets to Passing
Microsoft’s tests are highly product-specific and require much memorization. Being an effective DBA will not help you pass unless you are well-versed in Microsoft’s own technology. Passing rates for Microsoft’s tests are typically reported as slightly lower than Oracle’s and IBM’s.
Like the Oracle tests, the key to passing Microsoft’s exams is purchasing good sample tests. In the Microsoft world there are several choices. Like the other vendors, Microsoft offers free sample tests on its Web site. As with Oracle, there is a wide variety of books from which to choose.
Microsoft sells self-study Training Kits for both Windows Server and SQL Server. I highly recommend them for hands-on exercise. Get them from either click or brick book sources or direct from Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/trainingandservices. Microsoft Press sells these and related items at www.mspress.microsoft.com.
The Secrets to Reducing Your Costs
We’ve told you exactly what you need to do to pass the DBA tests from Oracle, IBM and Microsoft, but we’ve ignored costs. The sad truth is that the candidate who spends a lot more money has a big advantage in achieving DBA certification. But there are ways to reduce the costs. Let’s look at them now.
First, for Oracle and MCDBA candidates, I strongly recommend sample tests from Self Test Software and Transcender. These cost from $100 to $150 per test. You could easily pay $500 for the full set of tests you need to pass. How can you reduce this cost? Many companies will buy these study aids if you can convince them that this is worthwhile “employee development.” Stating that you will be certifying based on these essential study tools quantifies your development in a way that permits budgetary justification at many companies. At contract firms, certification is considered so important that most will have purchased these CDs for loan to their employees already.
If you need classes, try the same strategy. If that doesn’t work, ensure the class you’re budgeted for every year fits your certification plan. Remember that courses are a good idea for new or less-experienced candidates, but they are not necessary for experienced DBAs.
No one should have to pay for access to the databases for hands-on experience. All three vendors offer free trial copies of their products that you can download from their Web sites or pick up in the CDs accompanying many books.
The whole world of online user groups and vendor Web sites is free. Only the innermost vendor support sites will be closed to you without paying for a database license.
Perhaps the biggest cost will be your time. If you can get database access and practice time at work, you’ll be in great shape. The key is to show your employer how they will benefit from your certification. You can get some convincing material merely by printing off the vendor’s own promotional pitches from their Web sites.
Finally, you can cut your exam fees from the official fees. Oracle and Microsoft offer beta exams to a limited number of candidates in exchange for help in debugging those new versions of the tests. Both offer reduced prices on betas, typically as low as $40 per test. Keep up with their respective certification Web pages to to see when they offer the beta exams.
Most IBM DB2 candidates certified for free throughout 2001. At least one of these promotional programs continues in 2002. If you register for the International DB2 Users Group (IDUG) conference (May 13 to 16, 2002 in San Diego), you can test for free at the conference. Register online at www.ibm.com/software/data/db2/skills.
Selecting the DBA Certification for You
We’ve covered DBA certification from three companies: Oracle, IBM and Microsoft. Why? There are many reasons for certifying, but most IT professionals believe the main factor is that it will help their career.
Throughout the ’90s, the relational database marketplace consolidated around three major vendors: Oracle, IBM and Microsoft. In online and print job ads, Oracle appears to be the most highly marketable DBA credential. There are far fewer references to IBM DB2 certification, perhaps because this certification is relatively new. SQL Server has fewer references because the product captures less market share.
If you identify your career with a particular database or platform, the choice of which DBA certification to pursue may be obvious. For others, use this article as your first step in exploring your options.
With the certification secrets you’ve read about, you should be able to pass the tests for whichever certification you choose.
Howard Fosdick is an independent consultant who has specialized in database administration for many years. He’s both an Oracle certified DBA and an IBM certified DB2 DBA. He also works with SQL Server. Reach him at hfosdick@compuserve.com.
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