20 Oracle GoldenGate Interview Questions and Answers

Oracle GoldenGate is a software that enables real-time data integration and replication across heterogeneous systems. It is a popular tool for companies who need to ensure that their data is consistent across multiple systems. If you are interviewing for a position that involves Oracle GoldenGate, it is important to be prepared to answer questions about the tool. In this article, we will review some of the most common Oracle GoldenGate interview questions.

Oracle GoldenGate Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Oracle GoldenGate interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is Oracle GoldenGate?

Oracle GoldenGate is a software package used for real-time data replication, transformation, and movement between heterogeneous systems.

2. What are the main components of Golden Gate?

The main components of Golden Gate are the Extract and Replicat processes. The Extract process is responsible for reading data from the source database and writing it to the Golden Gate trail files. The Replicat process is responsible for reading data from the Golden Gate trail files and writing it to the target database.

3. What does GGSCI stand for?

GGSCI stands for GoldenGate Software Configuration Interface. It is a command-line interface used to manage and monitor Oracle GoldenGate processes.

4. Can you explain what a trail file is in context with Oracle GoldenGate?

A trail file is a file that contains a log of all of the changes that have been made to a database. This file is used by Oracle GoldenGate in order to replicate the changes that have been made to a database on another server.

5. How do you enable and disable trace flags on an extract process?

You can enable and disable trace flags on an extract process by using the GGSCI command line interface. To enable a trace flag, you would use the following command:

GGSCI> ADD TRACE

To disable a trace flag, you would use the following command:

GGSCI> REM TRACE

6. What types of data can be replicated using Oracle GoldenGate?

Oracle GoldenGate can replicate data from any type of data source, including Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, Sybase, and Teradata databases.

7. Is it possible to replicate non-oracle databases like MySQL, SQL Server, or Postgres with Oracle GoldenGate? If yes, then how?

Yes, it is possible to replicate non-oracle databases with Oracle GoldenGate. In order to do so, you will need to use the GoldenGate for Big Data software. This software is designed to allow for the replication of data from a variety of different sources, including MySQL, SQL Server, and Postgres.

8. What kinds of transformations are supported by Oracle GoldenGate?

Oracle GoldenGate supports a wide variety of transformations, including column mapping, data type conversion, and row filtering.

9. What is the default maximum size of a trail file? Where can we change this value?

The default maximum size of a trail file is 1 GB. This value can be changed by altering the MAX_TRAIL_SIZE parameter in the GoldenGate initialization parameter file.

10. What happens when a trail file reaches its max size?

When a trail file reaches its max size, it will stop accepting new data and will need to be cleared out before it can continue functioning.

11. What’s the difference between synchronous and asynchronous replication? Which one would you recommend in certain situations?

Synchronous replication is when data is written to the primary database and then immediately replicated to the standby database. Asynchronous replication is when data is written to the primary database and then replicated to the standby database at a later time. In general, synchronous replication is going to be more accurate, but it can also be more expensive and can slow down write performance. Asynchronous replication is going to be less accurate, but it is cheaper and can provide better write performance. In terms of which one to use, it really depends on the specific situation and what is more important: accuracy or performance.

12. What are some advantages of using Oracle GoldenGate over other replication platforms?

Oracle GoldenGate is a high-performance replication platform that is designed to work with Oracle databases. It offers a number of advantages over other replication platforms, including the ability to replicate data across different platforms, support for a wide range of Oracle database versions, and the ability to handle high volumes of data.

13. Can you explain what a check point table is in the context of Oracle GoldenGate?

A checkpoint table is a table that is used by Oracle GoldenGate to track the progress of replication. When GoldenGate replicates data from a source database to a target database, it uses the checkpoint table to keep track of which records have been successfully replicated and which ones have not. The checkpoint table is updated each time a batch of records is replicated, and it is used to ensure that replication can pick up where it left off in the event of a failure.

14. What are some common reasons why Oracle GoldenGate might fail during installation or configuration?

Some common reasons why Oracle GoldenGate might fail during installation or configuration include:

– Lack of disk space
– Incorrect permissions on files and directories
– Incorrectly configured environment variables
– Conflicts with other software
– Incompatible operating system versions

15. Why should Oracle GoldenGate not be used as part of an ETL pipeline?

Oracle GoldenGate is not meant to be used as part of an ETL pipeline because it is a tool for replicating data from one database to another. It is not designed to extract, transform, or load data.

16. What are some best practices that should be followed while installing Oracle GoldenGate?

Some best practices to follow while installing Oracle GoldenGate include:
-Ensuring that the source and target databases are compatible with each other
-Checking that the source and target databases are at the same patch level
-Making sure that the source and target databases are properly configured
-Ensuring that there is enough disk space on both the source and target servers

17. What are some security concerns related to Oracle GoldenGate?

One of the main security concerns related to Oracle GoldenGate is that it can be used to bypass security controls and access sensitive data. GoldenGate can also be used to launch denial of service attacks.

18. What are some risks associated with using Oracle GoldenGate?

There are a few risks associated with using Oracle GoldenGate. One is that it can be complex to set up and configure, so there is a risk of errors occurring during that process. Additionally, GoldenGate relies on log files for its operation, so if those log files become corrupted, it can cause problems with the tool. Finally, GoldenGate is a resource-intensive tool, so it can put a strain on server resources if it is not configured properly.

19. What are some use cases where Oracle GoldenGate might not be suitable?

Oracle GoldenGate is not suitable for use cases where the data being replicated is constantly changing, or where the data being replicated is very large in size. Additionally, Oracle GoldenGate is not suitable for use cases where real-time replication is required.

20. What are some limitations of Oracle GoldenGate?

Some potential limitations of Oracle GoldenGate include its high cost, its reliance on Oracle databases, and its lack of support for some features (such as stored procedures).