Oracle EBS Database Cloning for Reporting and Analytics

 For the past ten years Windocks has served enterprises around the globe with on demand cloned database environments (also known as database virtualization). While the majority of cloned database environments are used in development and test, a growing number are relied on for production reporting and analytics. These reporting databases are large and typically require data masking and other operations, and the delivery process must minimize reporting downtime. 

Windocks solution for Oracle and Oracle EBS database cloning combines a standby database, Oracle Docker containers, database cloning, and EBS app tier redirection, with Windocks orchestration.

The image illustrates a Day 1 clone supporting Oracle EBS reporting while a Day 2 environment is snapshotted, masked, and prepared. The final step is a brief downtime while the EBS application tier is automatically redirected to the Day 2 reporting database.   The process is automated, minimizing downtime, and runs on an industry standard Linux server.

A standby database supports multiple images and clones

Windocks begins by automating the creation of an Oracle EBS standby database, using Oracle Data Guard. This is the preferred for cloning databases of 5 TB or more, as the snapshot is instantaneous. Each business day is captured in a new snapshot which is masked and scripts applied to prepare the reporting image. The image is then cloned for production reporting.

The standby database, each image, and each clone are hosted by a local Oracle Docker container.   This is a proven architecture for serving large scale reporting, and minimizes administrative overhead and Oracle licensing.  

Windocks Orchestration

The Windocks control plan manages the creation of the standby database, snapshots, application of masking and other data preparation to create the image.  Clones are then delivered to either local Oracle containers or existing fixed instances.   The final step in this case study includes the automated redirection of the EBS application tier to the newly promoted (Day 2) EBS reporting database.

Summary

As this case study illustrates, Windocks is not just a database cloning or virtualization solution, but is a comprehensive solution for orchestrating delivery of production reporting ready databases.   A similar process is available for Windows SQL Server environments that combines Windocks unique Docker SQL Server Windows containers and writable SQL Server snapshots, for efficient delivery of large and complex SQL Server environments.

 A modern solution that runs on industry standard Linux and Windows servers is simply more efficient and complete than what is available from Delphix.   If you’re interested to learn how Windocks can replace Delphix and cut your costs by 50 to 80%, check out our whitepaper here.