Oracle Database 12c: EM Express Database Administration


Oracle Enterprise Manager Database Express, also referred to as EM Express, is a database management tool that focuses primarily on performance management and monitoring.   However, it does include basic administration functions to assist the database administrator.

When users first log into EM Express, they see the home page which displays information about the database, as well as performance data, such as resource usage, average active sessions, and monitored SQL statements.

EM Express DB Home Page

Database Administration Functions

The three main categories of administrative tasks are:
  • Configuration
  • Storage
  • Security

Configuration

The four main features available in the Configuration menu are Initialization Parameters, Memory Configuration, Database Feature Usage and Database Properties.

Database Administrators can view and set initialization parameters for one or more instances of the database.  They can also determine how memory has been configured, and in particular, the amount of memory allocated to the SGA and PGA, the top processes consuming memory, and whether or not any of the automatic memory management features are in use.  In addition, memory advisor data is also displayed on the page.  To see an example of the Memory page, click here.

Storage

As part of Storage administration, DBAs can manage redo logs, archive logs, and tablespaces (view space consumption, create and/or alter tablespaces).  In addition, DBAs are also given some visibility into the control file contents.  DBAs can also view the Undo Advisor, as well as undo statistics, such as the undo generation rate and undo space usage.  To see an example of the Undo Page, click here.

Security

DBAs can use the features available in the Security menu to manage users, roles and profiles by creating, altering or granting and revoking privileges from them.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I see advisor data on the Memory Page?
  • I'm trying to perform a task that I used to do in DB Control.  Where is it in EM Express?
  • Why do I see a "Warning" icon on the Memory Page?

    • Answers

    How can I see Advisor Data on the Memory Page?

    The advisor data visible at the top right panel of the Memory page is dependent on the memory configuration settings that are in use. 

    • If Automatic Memory Management is used, then only the Memory Advisor is displayed on the page.
    • If Automatic Shared Memory Management is used, then the SGA Advisor, along with the PGA Advisor is displayed.
    • If Manual Shared Memory Management is used, then the Buffer Cache Advisor, along with the PGA Advisor is displayed


    I'm trying to perform a task that I used to do in DB Control.  Where is it in EM Express?

    EM Express is not a direct replacement for DB Control.  As explained in the Architecture section, EM Express is built inside the database server and there are limitations as to what it can do.  EM Express is also focused on providing performance management and monitoring functionality, and is not meant to be an all around database administration tool.

    Why do I see a "Warning" icon on the Memory Page?

    The warning icon is displayed if the memory configuration is different across the instances in your RAC cluster.  For example, this may be displayed if one instance uses Automatic Memory Management, while the other instance uses Manual Shared Memory Management.