This unit applies to experienced technical support personnel, such as help-desk supervisors, database support technicians, IT support technicians, and user support specialists who are responsible for maintaining good performance from a database.
Resolving database issues can be complex and take considerable time. The core role in this competency is to take part in common database-performance problem solving.
This unit should be flexible enough to allow for the creation of specialised database programs that are poor in performance so that problem-solving processes can be applied.
There are many open-source database offerings that may provide a suitable code base from which to work.
Not applicable.
1. Diagnose problems | 1.1 Determine appropriate database performance diagnostic tool to use based on organisational database requirements and vendor recommendations 1.2 Run diagnostic tool to identify issues causing degradation of database performance 1.3 Determine and record where inappropriate use of database and temporary table spaces occur 1.4 Carry out appropriate fixes based on diagnostic results |
2. Configure database | 2.1 Adopt a distributed files architecture to minimise input and output (I/O) contention 2.2 Ensure that database backup procedures are appropriate for method of data storage 2.3 Reconfigure rollback segments 2.4 Configure the database and test its performance |
3. Tune database | 3.1 Track the module performance according to specifications 3.2 Monitor and tune the efficiency of structured query language (SQL), as required 3.3 Monitor and measure the performance of shared pool, blocks and buffers 3.4 Detect, identify and resolve contentions that may arise in the real-time operation of the database 3.5 Reconfigure the database according to specifications |
Required skills
analytical skills to:
detect, identify and resolve contentions in the real-time operation of the database
determine appropriate database performance diagnostic tool to use
literacy skills to record performance test results
planning and organisational skills to:
ensure that database backup procedures are appropriate for the method of data storage
set benchmarks
problem-solving skills to:
carry out appropriate fixes based on diagnostic results
detect, identify and resolve contentions in the real-time operation of the database
determine where inappropriate use of database and temporary table spaces occur
identify issues causing degradation of database performance
technical skills to:
configure the database and test its performance
monitor and measure the performance of shared pool, blocks and buffers
monitor and tune the efficiency of SQL as required
track the module performance according to specifications.
Required knowledge
broad knowledge of:
principles of database design
SQL
detailed knowledge of:
database administration
diagnostic tools
tuning methodologies.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the ability to: correctly identify common database problems select appropriate solutions to solve the problem implement such solutions to improve database performance. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: diagnostic tools database operating on a network appropriate learning and assessment support when required modified equipment for people with special needs. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: review of candidate’s documentation of problem resolution direct observation of the candidate using database tools to solve a database problem evaluation of database after candidate has resolved issues affecting its performance. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. |
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Diagnostic tool may include: | server software or may be inbuilt to the server software software applications external to the database server. |
Database may include: | commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) database packages object-relational databases proprietary databases relational databases. |
Performance may include: | archiving old records compacting database files creating indexes improvements to response time latch contention preventing events causing waits record or table locking repairing the database simultaneous access splitting database files. |
Architecture may include: | configuration: large memory model requests per second small memory model database software: DB2 Informix Ingres Microsoft SQL (MS SQL) server Mini SQL (mSQL) MySQL Oracle Sybase operating system: Linux Mac multi-user ability Novell NetWare 5 or above Windows 2000 or above. |
SQL may include: | ISO/IEC 9075 (1-4,9-11,13,14):2008: ISO/IEC 9075-1:2008 Framework (SQL/Framework) ISO/IEC 9075-10:2008 Object Language Bindings (SQL/OLB) ISO/IEC 9075-11:2008 Information and Definition Schemas (SQL/Schemata) ISO/IEC 9075-13:2008 SQL Routines and Types Using the Java TM Programming Language (SQL/JRT) ISO/IEC 9075-14:2008 XML-Related Specifications (SQL/XML) ISO/IEC 9075-2:2008 Foundation (SQL/Foundation) ISO/IEC 9075-3:2008 Call-Level Interface (SQL/CLI) ISO/IEC 9075-4:2008 Persistent Stored Modules (SQL/PSM) ISO/IEC 9075-9:2008 Management of External Data (SQL/MED) proprietary extensions: AS/NZS 3968.0:1994/Amdt 1:1996 Information technology - database languages - SQL - definition of data structures and basic operations SQL:2008. |
Database
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.