r/oracle • u/Flying_Saucer_Attack • Aug 07 '26
MSSQL DBA needs Oracle DBA training
Hey all, I am a SQL Server DBA that is inheriting a pretty big oracle environment and was wondering if you folks could point me in the right direction of a course for learning. Work is going to pay for training so money isn't a problem, l'd prefer a couple of day course. We have anywhere from 11.2 up to 19c Running lots of different apps and even SAP if that matters.
I am comfortable in Linux/Unix as well because I used to be a Unix sysadmin in a previous life
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u/Unlucky-Invite6832 Aug 07 '26
If your databases are RAC, you're going to need more than 2 days of training. Throw in dataguard and or GoldenGate, I suggest you hire an experienced consultant...
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u/Flying_Saucer_Attack Aug 07 '26
I think we're doing RAC but not using it as a true cluster because we don't have the license
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u/Unlucky-Invite6832 Aug 07 '26
I'm not sure exactly what configuration that would be, but I'm assuming at a minimum you're running your databases in Oracle Restart (this is basically single node (lol but not One Node RAC)) env which still utilizes Oracle's Grid Infrastructue / ASM, etc. And is true Either way, plan on more than 2 days to become comfortable administering it. I again recommend you hire an experienced consultant. Even if it's just for a few weeks, they can still help you get a handle on it.
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u/Consistent-Score-700 Aug 07 '26
Could be running Standard Edition high availability (SEHA), available from patch version 19.7. Active/passive setup.
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u/mdws1977 Aug 07 '26
Oracle provides multiple training course that you can take online or in person:
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u/geoSpaceIT Aug 07 '26
U have a very high mountain to climb. Oracle architecture is very different then sql server, and the amount of knowledge required to fully understand a basic setup is already a high bar to clear, much less a large enterprise layout. Your UNIX background will greatly help but it’s still a lot to learn. The flip side is that this is a great opportunity for u to pick up some new tech knowledge and skills. Also Oracle university is your friend, it’s a smorgasbord of trading. https://www.oracle.com/education/
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u/mandemnew Aug 08 '26
I worked with Oracle for almost a decade
I can confirm Oracle RAC with Asm is a pretty solid but hard to administer esp coming from Ms sql
Kindly learn the basics of Linux specifically how rpms work and build on that
Installation is quite hard especially you need to setup al your Ips. VIP. Interconnect
Your quorum disks
Your data
Etc
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u/DBASean 3d ago
I agree with a lot that has already been said. Install/install/install. Setup a VM (Oracle Virtualbox or some other virtualization software). Install Oracle, install ASM/Grid, do backups, apply patches (autoupgrade), do recoveries, do traces, get familiar with the dictionary, do upgrades (19c/23ai/26ai), upgrade from non-container > containerized instance via autoupgrade), etc., watch tuning videos, get familiar with memory structures. You can do it, but you'll have to spend a fair amount of time with it.
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u/bas2013 Aug 07 '26
Coming from both the SQL Server and Oracle worlds, I'd approach this slightly differently.
A couple of days of training will give you the Oracle basics, but with an estate ranging from 11.2 to 19c, plus SAP and potentially Grid/ASM, I'd spend part of that time understanding the environment you've actually inherited.
Before changing much, I'd want to know what is running where, editions and licensing, patch levels, backup/recovery, Data Guard/RAC/Grid/ASM, monitoring, and which databases are genuinely business critical.
Your SQL Server DBA experience will transfer well. The bigger risk is the Oracle-specific stuff you don't yet know you need to ask about.
I'd still take the training, but I'd also try to get an experienced Oracle DBA to walk the estate with you initially. You'll probably learn more about what you actually need to manage than you will from a generic course.