IBM DB2 9 Certification

Recognized throughout the world, the Professional Certification Program from IBM offers a range of certification options for IT professionals. This program consists of several distinct certification roles that are designed to guide you in your professional development; you begin the certification process by selecting the role that's right for you, and familiarizing yourself with the certification requirements for that role. Once you have chosen the certification role you wish to pursue and have familiarized yourself with the requirements for that particular role, the next step is to prepare for and take the appropriate certification exam or exams.

This chapter is designed to introduce you to an accelerated path you can take to obtain the IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification from IBM.

IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows

The IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification is intended for experienced DB2 9 users who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the day-to-day administration of DB2 9 instances and databases residing on Linux, UNIX, or Windows platforms. In addition to being knowledgeable about the concepts of DB2 9 database administration, individuals seeking this certification should have significant hands-on experience as a DB2 9 Database Administrator (DBA).

Candidates who have either taken and passed the DB2 V8.1 Family Fundamentals exam (Exam 700) or acquired the IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 V8.1 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification (by taking and passing Exams 700 and 701) must take and pass the DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database Administration exam (Exam 731) to acquire the IBM Certified Database Administrator — DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification. All other candidates must take and pass both the DB2 9 Family Fundamentals exam (Exam 730) and the DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database Administration exam (Exam 731). The roadmap for acquiring the IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification can be seen in Figure 1–1.

Candidates who already hold the IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 V8.1 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification may opt to take the DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database Administration Upgrade exam (Exam 736) to acquire the IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification. This exam, which is half the length and half the cost of the DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database Administration exam (Exam 731), is designed to test a candidate's knowledge of the new features and functions that are available in DB2 9. Essentially, the upgrade exam provides certified DB2 Version 8.1 DBAs an accelerated approach for acquiring an equivalent Version 9 certification. This accelerated approach is outlined in Figure 1–2.

DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database Administration Upgrade exam (Exam 736) Objectives

The DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database Administration Upgrade exam (Exam 736) consists of 38 multiple-choice questions, and candidates have 60 minutes to complete the exam. A score of 55% or higher is required to pass.

The primary objectives that the DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database Administration Upgrade exam (Exam 736) is designed to cover are as follows (the percentages after each section title reflect the approximate distribution of the total question set across the sections):

Section 1 - Server Management (29%)

• Understand the functionality of the AUTOCONFIGURE command

• Ability to manually configure communications (emphasis on IPv6)

• Ability to enable automatic maintenance

• Ability to enable the Self-Tuning Memory Manager

• Ability to enable Utility Throttling

Section 2 - Data Placement (21%)

• Knowledge of the new default behavior of the CREATE DATABASE command

• Ability to create and manage Automatic Storage table spaces

• Knowledge of Table Partitioning

• Knowledge of Data Row Compression

Section 3 - XML Concepts (13%)

• Ability to use XML data types

• Ability to create and manage XML indexes

• Ability to use basic XML functions (for example, XMLPARSE, XMLSERIALIZE, XMLVALIDATE, and XMLQUERY)

• Knowledge of basic XQuery fundamentals

• Ability to use DB2 utilities with XML data

Section 4 - Analyzing DB2 Activity (16%)

• Ability to use DB2's troubleshooting utilities (db2bfd, db2mtrk,and db2pd)

• Ability to monitor deadlocks

• Ability to use Administrative Routines and SNAPSHOT functions

Section 5 - High Availability (10.5%)

• Ability to use the RECOVER DATABASE command

• Knowledge of High Availability Disaster Recovery (HADR)

Section 6 - Security (10.5%)

• Knowledge of DB2 9's new authentication types

• Understanding of Label Based Access Control (LBAC)

Taking the DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database Administration Upgrade exam (Exam 736)

When you are confident that you are ready to take the DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database Administration Upgrade exam (Exam 736), your next step is to contact an IBM-authorized testing vendor. The DB2 9 certification exams are administered by Pearson VUE, by Thompson Prometric, and, in rare, cases by IBM (for example, IBM administers the DB2 9 certifications free of charge at some of the larger database conferences, such as the International DB2 User's Group North American conference). However, before you contact either testing vendor, you should visit their Web site (www.vue.com/ibm and www.2test.com, respectively) and use the navigation tools provided there to locate a testing center that is convenient for you. Once you have located a testing center, you can then contact the vendor and make arrangements to take the certification exam. (Contact information for the testing vendors can also be found on their respective Web sites; in some cases, you can schedule an exam online.)

You must make arrangements to take a certification exam at least 24 hours in advance, and when you contact the testing vendor, you should be ready to provide the following information:

• Your name (as you want it to appear on your certification certificate).

• An identification number (if you have taken an IBM certification exam before, this is the number assigned to you at that time; if not, the testing vendor will supply one)

• A telephone number where you can be reached

• A fax number

• The mailing address to which you want all certification...