Re: limited trial version of Delphix for instant database cloning

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_at_gmail.com
> <mailto:kylelf_at_gmail.com>> 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
>

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