Firebird basics for database administrators

Firebird database administration

Target group

This course is aimed at all those just starting out with Firebird administration, or those currently considering the use of Firebird in a future project and would first like to get to know the database in more detail.

Content

Learn all basic administrative tasks necessary to successfully administrate your Firebird server.

Although the Firebird DBA really does have quite an easy job because, when a Firebird application is programmed well, there is little or no database maintenance necessary! However there are some aspects of the Firebird database that all DB Admins should be aware of.

Day one will introduce you to installation of the Firebird server, the various server versions and their differences.

You will then take a closer look at the installation: files and paths and firebird.conf parameters, learn the importance of garbage collection and how it works. You will gain a background understanding of multi-generational architecture, and go on to analyze database statistics.

Your database is full of a wealth of information. Sometimes it is helpful to log certain aspects of the information manipulation (selects, inserts, updates, deletes) by setting up protocols to gain an insight into what is really happening in your database. We will also look at automating the backup and restore.

You will then go on to set up and test an ODBC driver and look at the various data import and export methods to transfer data and/or metadata. You will be shown the command-line tools delivered as part of the Firebird package, including NBAK and NBACKUP, GBAK, GFIX, GSEC, GSTAT and ISQL, Firebird's interactive SQL tool.

We will review the various maintenance operations such as administrating users, and learn to recognize and prevent database errors. And then go on to look at the options of database repair using the tools provided, and the binary construction of a database file.

The second day continues in more detail looking at database repair methods, maintenance, configuration, memory, hardware and operating systems.

We will look at typical database errors and their causes and at alternative database repair methods. We will review the typical causes of server errors and learn how to recognize and avoid them. You will then proceed to interpret and evaluate log files, temporary files and memory configuration.

Finally we will consider optimal hard drive setup, including setting up hardware and operating systems.

Hardware performance comparison will be demonstrated using Firebird benchmark tests. We will also take a look at database parameters for optimal performance and learn to analyze and understand index statistics. The second day will close with the setting up of automatic maintenance operations, and secure and compressed access using Zebedee.

At the end of each day there will be ample time allowed for questions and answers.

Duration

The course lasts for 2 days.

Location

The workshop can be booked worldwide and is performed in English or German.

Registration

Please contact us at info@ibexpert.com or fax our Information Request form.

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