Oracle db replication

1. A Guide to the Process of Database Replication Replication is the process of maintaining and copying database objects such as tables in several databases that in total make up a complete distributed database system. Any changes made at one site or point are first captured and stored locally before being sent and applied in remote locations. A fully integrated feature of the Oracle server is Oracle replication which is not a separate server by itself.

2. The Oracle database provides Oracle db replication and other integration features that are critical for any organization and enterprise, regardless of the scale and size. Replication uses distributed database technology to share data among multiple sites. In such a database, data may be present in many locations but a specific table resides at only one location.

3. Why should you be using replication? Here are a few common reasons for doing so.  • Performance – Replication balances activities over multiple sites and hence provides fast local access to shared data. Some users can access data on one server while others will have access to the same data in other servers. The process thus reduces the load on any one server and distributes it evenly. Again, users can access data from the replication site that is geographically closest to them, thereby reducing costs of access and increasing the speed of access. 

4. Availability – Replication enhances the availability of applications by offering alternate data access options. Even if one site becomes unavailable or temporarily disabled, users can continue to have access and even update data on the remaining locations. In a nutshell, replication provides an excellent standby database.  • Reduction in network load – Replication dramatically reduces network load. This is because the process distributes data over multiple regional locations and applications can access them instead of depending solely on one central server. 

5. Deploying bulk applications – As organizations grow in size they have to deploy many applications that require the capability to manipulate and use data. With Oracle db replication, deployment templates facilitate quick creation of multiple snapshot environments with the option to use variables to customize each snapshot to match specific needs. A deployment template for sales force automation, for example, could contain a range of variables for different sales regions and salespersons. 

6. Disconnected computing – Snapshots, which are copies of a complete or partial target master table from a particular point in time, help users to work on a subset of a database while disconnected from the central database server. Afterwards, when a connection is established with the central server, users can refresh or synchronize snapshots on demand. Through refresh, the central database is updated with all their changes. Simultaneously, they receive all the changes that were made while they were disconnected.  • An Oracle db replication environment can support both server-to-server replication and mass deployment and this enables integration into one consistent environment.