About This Course
Oracle Database remains one of the most widely deployed enterprise relational database management systems in the world, powering mission-critical applications across banking, telecommunications, government, healthcare, and manufacturing. As organisations increasingly depend on data-driven decision-making, the demand for skilled Oracle Database Administrators (DBAs) continues to grow steadily across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Yet many IT professionals who find themselves managing Oracle environments have had little formal training, leaving critical gaps in their ability to maintain stability, ensure recoverability, and optimise performance.
TrainingComplex's Oracle DBA Fundamentals Training is a comprehensive, hands-on programme designed to build a strong technical foundation in Oracle Database administration. Over ten intensive days, participants work through every major domain of the DBA role — from understanding Oracle's architecture and installing the software to managing tablespaces, implementing security policies, scheduling jobs, and executing proven backup and recovery strategies. Each module combines conceptual grounding with practical laboratory exercises drawn from real enterprise scenarios.
The programme is structured to be accessible to IT professionals who are new to Oracle while also offering valuable consolidation for those who have been managing Oracle databases informally without structured training. By the end of the course, participants will be confident navigating Oracle Enterprise Manager, writing administrative SQL, interpreting alert logs, diagnosing common issues, and applying best practices that align with Oracle's own certification standards. Graduates leave equipped not only with skills but with the structured knowledge framework that supports continued professional growth toward Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) and Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) credentials.
Who Should Attend
- Junior and mid-level database administrators transitioning to or formalising their Oracle DBA role
- System administrators and IT infrastructure staff responsible for Oracle database environments
- Application developers who need a deeper understanding of the Oracle backend they work against
- IT support engineers who troubleshoot Oracle-related incidents and service requests
- Data engineers and ETL developers working with Oracle as a source or target system
- IT graduates and career-changers seeking to build a professional database administration career
- Technical team leads who need to supervise Oracle DBA work and review technical deliverables
Learning Objectives
- Explain Oracle Database architecture including instance components, memory structures, and process architecture
- Install and configure Oracle Database software and create a database using DBCA and manual methods
- Manage Oracle storage structures including tablespaces, datafiles, segments, extents, and blocks
- Administer Oracle users, roles, profiles, and privileges in line with the principle of least privilege
- Use Oracle Net Services to configure listeners, tnsnames, and client connectivity
- Implement and test backup strategies using RMAN including full, incremental, and archivelog backups
- Execute recovery procedures to address datafile loss, control file loss, and complete database failures
- Monitor database performance using AWR, ADDM, ASH, and Oracle Enterprise Manager
- Identify and resolve common performance bottlenecks including locking, I/O contention, and memory pressure
- Manage Oracle jobs, scheduler objects, and automated maintenance tasks
- Apply Oracle security best practices including auditing, password policies, and privilege management
- Interpret alert logs, trace files, and diagnostic data to troubleshoot database incidents
- Prepare for Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) certification examinations with confidence
Course Modules
Module 1: Oracle Database Architecture and Core Concepts
- Oracle Database instance vs. database: memory structures, background processes, and datafiles
- System Global Area (SGA) components: buffer cache, shared pool, redo log buffer, and large pool
- Program Global Area (PGA) and its role in sorting, hashing, and session management
- Oracle process architecture: server processes, background processes, and their interactions
- Oracle startup and shutdown modes: NOMOUNT, MOUNT, OPEN, and the role of the control file and parameter file at each stage
- Multitenant architecture fundamentals: the Container Database (CDB) and Pluggable Database (PDB) model and how it affects instance and storage organisation
Module 2: Installing Oracle Database Software and Creating a Database
- Pre-installation tasks: OS prerequisites, kernel parameters, and user and group configuration on Oracle Linux
- Installing Oracle Database 19c software using Oracle Universal Installer (OUI)
- Creating a database using Database Configuration Assistant (DBCA) and understanding key creation options
- Manual database creation using CREATE DATABASE and the required initialisation parameter file
- Understanding the Oracle base, Oracle home, and Optimal Flexible Architecture (OFA) directory structure and why it matters for maintainability
- Post-installation steps: running root scripts, applying the latest Release Update, and validating the installation with Oracle-supplied checks
Module 3: Oracle Storage Architecture and Management
- Understanding Oracle storage hierarchy: database, tablespace, segment, extent, and block
- Creating and managing tablespaces including SYSTEM, SYSAUX, UNDO, TEMP, and user tablespaces
- Adding, resizing, and relocating datafiles; enabling and managing autoextend
- Automatic Storage Management (ASM) concepts and disk group administration fundamentals
- Locally managed tablespaces vs. dictionary-managed tablespaces: extent allocation methods, bitmap space management, and segment space management with ASSM
- Monitoring tablespace space usage and identifying and resolving space pressure using data dictionary views and alert thresholds
Module 4: Oracle Network Configuration and Client Connectivity
- Oracle Net architecture: listeners, TNS, and the connection establishment process
- Configuring the listener using lsnrctl and listener.ora for local and remote connectivity
- Configuring tnsnames.ora and testing connectivity with tnsping and sqlplus
- Oracle Net Manager and Easy Connect naming method for simplified client configuration
- Dynamic service registration: how database instances register services with the listener via PMON and LREG, and managing service names for workload separation
- Troubleshooting common connectivity errors: ORA-12541, ORA-12514, and ORA-12170 — diagnosis approach and resolution steps
Module 5: User Administration, Privileges, and Security
- Creating and managing database users including authentication methods and default tablespace assignments
- System privileges vs. object privileges: granting, revoking, and auditing privilege usage
- Roles and profiles: creating custom roles and enforcing password and resource policies
- Oracle Database auditing: unified auditing concepts, creating audit policies, and reviewing audit trail data
- Least-privilege principle in practice: distinguishing SYSDBA and SYSOPER administrative privileges and controlling access to sensitive schemas
- Virtual Private Database (VPD) overview: using row-level security policies to enforce fine-grained data access control
Module 6: Oracle Data Dictionary and Dynamic Performance Views
- Structure and purpose of the Oracle data dictionary: DBA_, ALL_, and USER_ views
- Key data dictionary views for storage, user, object, and session information
- Dynamic performance views (V$ views) and their role in real-time instance monitoring
- Querying data dictionary and V$ views to answer common administrative questions and produce status reports
- How the data dictionary is maintained: the role of SYSTEM and SYSAUX tablespaces and the impact of DDL operations on dictionary metadata
- Using GV$ views in a Real Application Clusters (RAC) environment and understanding how instance-specific vs. global dynamic views differ
Module 7: Undo Management and Oracle Redo Architecture
- Purpose of undo data: read consistency, transaction rollback, and Flashback features
- Automatic Undo Management: configuring undo tablespace, retention, and tuning undo parameters
- Oracle redo log architecture: online redo log groups, members, log switches, and checkpoints
- Archivelog mode: enabling archiving, managing archived log destinations, and implications for backup and recovery
- Diagnosing and resolving undo-related errors: ORA-01555 snapshot too old — root causes, prevention strategies, and undo retention guarantee
- Sizing and multiplexing online redo log groups: calculating appropriate log sizing to minimise checkpoint storms and protect against media failure
Module 8: Oracle Backup Strategies with RMAN
- RMAN architecture: target database, recovery catalog, and the RMAN repository
- Full and incremental backups: differential vs. cumulative incremental strategies and when to use each
- Configuring RMAN defaults: backup retention policy, channels, compression, and backup destinations
- Backup validation, crosschecking, and managing obsolete and expired backups in the RMAN repository
- Backing up the control file, SPFILE, and archived redo logs as part of a complete and recoverable backup set
- Using the Fast Recovery Area (FRA): configuring FRA location and size, understanding automatic space management, and monitoring FRA usage
Module 9: Oracle Database Recovery Techniques
- Recovery concepts: complete vs. incomplete recovery, the role of redo and undo in recovery
- Recovering from datafile loss in archivelog mode using RMAN RESTORE and RECOVER commands
- Control file and SPFILE recovery: recreating control files and restoring SPFILE from backup
- Incomplete (point-in-time) recovery scenarios: recovery to SCN, time, and log sequence using RMAN
- Recovering a single block using RMAN block media recovery: when it is appropriate and how it avoids full datafile restore
- Post-recovery steps: opening the database with RESETLOGS, validating object integrity, and resetting the RMAN repository after incomplete recovery
Module 10: Oracle Flashback Technologies
- Flashback Query and Flashback Table: recovering accidentally deleted or modified rows without full recovery
- Flashback Drop and the Oracle Recycle Bin: restoring dropped tables and managing recycle bin contents
- Flashback Database: configuring Fast Recovery Area, enabling Flashback Database, and rewinding the database
- Choosing the appropriate Flashback feature for a given logical error scenario
- Flashback Data Archive (Total Recall): configuring long-term row history retention for compliance and auditing requirements
- Flashback Transaction: identifying and backing out a specific transaction and its dependents using DBMS_FLASHBACK and Flashback Transaction Query
Module 11: Performance Monitoring and the Oracle Diagnostic Framework
- AWR (Automatic Workload Repository): snapshots, baselines, and generating AWR reports
- ADDM (Automatic Database Diagnostic Monitor): interpreting ADDM findings and recommendations
- ASH (Active Session History): identifying transient performance problems using ASH data
- Oracle Enterprise Manager Database Express: navigating the interface for real-time monitoring and diagnostics
- Statistics Level parameter and AWR retention: understanding STATISTICS_LEVEL settings (BASIC, TYPICAL, ALL) and their impact on diagnostic data collection
- Using the Alert Log and Automatic Diagnostic Repository (ADR): locating trace files, incident packages, and using ADRCI to triage database errors
Module 12: SQL and Instance Tuning Fundamentals
- Understanding the Oracle optimizer: cost-based optimisation, execution plans, and statistics
- Reading and interpreting SQL execution plans using EXPLAIN PLAN and DBMS_XPLAN
- Identifying top SQL by elapsed time, CPU, and I/O using AWR Top SQL reports and V$SQL
- Common tuning interventions: index creation, gathering statistics, and SQL hints for plan stability
- SQL Plan Management (SPM): capturing, evolving, and fixing execution plans using SQL plan baselines to prevent plan regression
- Adaptive query optimisation in Oracle 12c and later: understanding adaptive plans, adaptive statistics, and when to enable or restrict adaptive features
Module 13: Oracle Scheduler, Maintenance Tasks, and DBA Best Practices
- Oracle Scheduler architecture: jobs, programs, schedules, and chains for automating DBA tasks
- Automated maintenance tasks: statistics gathering, segment advisor, and automatic SQL tuning
- Proactive DBA practices: alert log monitoring, space management, and capacity planning routines
- Oracle patch management overview: understanding PSUs, RUs, and the patching process with OPatch
- Configuring and interpreting database threshold alerts using the server-generated alert infrastructure and DBMS_SERVER_ALERT for space and performance metrics
- Documentation and change management disciplines: maintaining runbooks, recording schema and configuration changes, and applying a test-before-production patching policy
Requirements & Prerequisites
Participants should have a working knowledge of relational database concepts such as tables, indexes, SQL queries, and transactions. Basic familiarity with a Linux or Unix command-line environment is strongly recommended, as the course exercises are conducted on Linux-based Oracle installations. No prior Oracle DBA experience is required, though exposure to any database management system is beneficial.
Training Methodology
- Guided laboratory sessions on pre-configured Oracle Linux virtual machines, giving each participant a dedicated hands-on environment throughout the programme
- Step-by-step instructor demonstrations of every major DBA task followed by supervised participant replication on their own database instances
- Real-world scenario exercises that simulate common enterprise incidents such as accidental datafile deletion, failed backups, runaway sessions, and tablespace exhaustion
- Structured SQL and RMAN scripting exercises that build a personal library of reusable administrative scripts participants take back to their workplaces
- Interpretation workshops where participants analyse real alert logs, AWR reports, and ADDM findings to practise diagnostic reasoning
- Peer-based troubleshooting challenges where small groups diagnose and resolve deliberately introduced database faults under time pressure
- End-of-module knowledge checks that reinforce key concepts and identify areas for review before progressing
- A capstone project in which each participant designs, documents, and presents a backup and recovery strategy for a realistic business scenario
Organisational Benefits
- Reduced risk of unplanned downtime due to administrators who understand backup, recovery, and high-availability principles
- Improved database performance and reliability through proactive monitoring and tuning practices
- Stronger data security posture through properly configured user privileges, auditing, and access controls
- Lower dependency on external Oracle consultants for routine administration and incident response
- Faster incident resolution as DBAs can independently diagnose and address common database failures
- A pipeline of internally developed Oracle talent that supports organisational succession planning
- Alignment with Oracle best practices and industry standards, reducing technical debt and misconfiguration risk
- Increased return on Oracle licensing investment through better utilisation of built-in features and tools
Where Is Oracle DBA Fundamentals Training Offered?
This course runs in-person across: Nairobi, Kigali, Dubai, Cape Town, Abuja, Nakuru, Pretoria, Kisumu, Zanzibar, Addis Ababa, Naivasha, Kampala, Riyadh, Mombasa, Arusha, Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam, plus Live Virtual (online) cohorts. Browse live dates for your city below.
Upcoming Schedules
| Location | Format | Dates | Price |
|---|
| Nairobi, Kenya |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
KES 230,000 |
| Kigali, Rwanda |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,800 |
| Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
USD 8,200 |
| Cape Town, South Africa |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
USD 7,600 |
| Abuja, Nigeria |
In-Person |
12 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 5,600 |
| Nakuru, Kenya |
In-Person |
12 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 230,000 |
| Live Virtual |
Online |
17 Oct 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 |
KES 160,000 |
| Live Virtual |
Online |
19 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 |
KES 160,000 |
| Pretoria, South Africa |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
USD 6,600 |
| Kisumu, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 |
KES 240,000 |
| Zanzibar, Tanzania |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 |
USD 5,000 |
| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 28 Oct 2026 |
USD 4,800 |
| Naivasha, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
KES 230,000 |
| Kampala, Uganda |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,800 |
| Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
In-Person |
26 Oct 2026 – 4 Nov 2026 |
USD 9,000 |
+235 more dates — view live schedule →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior Oracle experience to attend this course?
No prior Oracle DBA experience is required. The course is designed for participants who are new to Oracle administration but have a basic understanding of relational databases and some exposure to a Linux or Unix command-line environment. Participants with informal Oracle experience will also benefit from the structured consolidation this programme provides.
Will participants receive a certificate upon completion?
Yes. All participants who complete the programme receive a TrainingComplex Certificate of Completion in Oracle DBA Fundamentals. This certificate documents the competencies covered and can be referenced when pursuing Oracle's own certification examinations such as the Oracle Certified Associate (OCA).
Does the course prepare participants for Oracle certification exams?
The curriculum closely aligns with the topics covered in the Oracle Database Administration I (1Z0-082) exam, which leads to the Oracle Certified Associate credential. While the course does not replace dedicated exam preparation, it provides the practical foundation and conceptual understanding that significantly supports exam readiness.
What software and tools are used during the training?
The course is conducted on Oracle Database 19c running on Oracle Linux virtual machines. Participants use SQL*Plus, Oracle Enterprise Manager Database Express, RMAN, and Oracle Net Manager throughout the programme. All software is provided within the training environment — participants do not need to install anything on their own laptops.
Is this course available online for remote participants?
Yes. The Live Virtual option delivers the same curriculum, laboratory exercises, and instructor interaction through a secure online platform. Remote participants receive access to a cloud-hosted lab environment that mirrors the in-person setup, ensuring the same hands-on experience regardless of location.
