Chapter 1: IBM DB2 9 Certification | DB2 9 Fundamentals: Certification Study Guide

Recognized throughout the world, the Professional Certification Program from IBM offers a range of certification options for IT professionals. This chapter is designed to introduce you to the various paths you can take to obtain DB2 9 Certification from IBM and to describe the testing software you will use when you sit down to take your first DB2 9 certification exam.

DB2 9 Certification Roles

One of the biggest trends in the IT industry today is certification. Many application and software vendors now have certification programs in place that are designed to evaluate and validate an individual's proficiency with the vendor's latest product release. In fact, one of the reasons the Professional Certification Program from IBM was developed was to provide a way for skilled technical professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise with a particular version of an IBM product.

The Professional Certification Program from IBM is comprised of several distinct certification roles that are designed to guide you in your professional development. You simply select the role that's right for you, and then you begin the certification process by choosing the role you wish to pursue and familiarizing yourself with the requirements for that role. The following subsections are designed to help get you started by providing you with the prerequisites and requirements associated with each DB2 9 certification available.

IBM Certified Database Associate-DB2 9 Fundamentals

The IBM Certified Database Associate-DB2 9 Fundamentals certification is intended for entry-level DB2 9 users who are knowledgeable about the fundamental concepts of DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows, DB2 9 for zSeries (OS/390), or DB2 9 for iSeries (AS/400). In addition to having some hands-on experience, some formal training, or both on DB2 9, individuals seeking this certification should:

Know what DB2 9 products are available and be familiar with the various ways DB2 9 is packaged
Know what DB2 9 products must be installed in order to create a desired environment
Know what features and functions are provided by the various tools that are shipped with DB2 9
Possess a strong knowledge about the mechanisms DB2 9 uses to protect data and database objects against unauthorized access and/or modification
Know how to create, access, and manipulate basic DB2 objects, such as tables, views, and indexes
Be familiar with the different types of constraints that are available and know how each is used
Be familiar with how XML data can be stored and manipulated
Possess an in-depth knowledge of Structured Query Language (SQL), Data Definition Language (DDL), Data Manipulation Language (DML), and Data Control Language (DCL) statements that are available with DB2 9
Have a basic understanding of the methods used to isolate transactions from each other in a multi-user environment
Be familiar with the methods used to control how locking is performed

In order to acquire the IBM Certified Database Associate-DB2 9 Fundamentals certification, candidates must take and pass one exam: the DB2 9 Family Fundamentals exam (Exam 730). The roadmap for acquiring the IBM Certified Database Associate-DB2 9 Fundamentals certification is illustrated in Figure 1-1.

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Figure 1-1: IBM Certified Database Associate-DB2 9 Fundamentals certification roadmap.

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 fundamental concepts of DB2 9 and having significant hands-on experience as a DB2 9 Database Administrator (DBA), individuals seeking this certification should:

Know how to configure and manage DB2 9 instances
Know how to configure client/server connectivity
Be able to obtain and modify the values of environment/Registry variables
Be able to obtain and modify DB2 Database Manager (instance) and database configuration file parameter values
Know how to use Automatic Maintenance and self-tuning memory
Know how to create DB2 9 databases
Possess a strong knowledge about SMS, DMS, and Automatic Storage table spaces, as well as be familiar with the management requirements of each
Know how to create, access, modify, and manage the different DB2 objects available
Know how to manage XML data
Be able to create constraints on and between table objects
Know how to capture and interpret snapshot monitor data
Know how to create and activate event monitors, as well as capture and interpret event monitor data
Know how to capture and analyze Explain information
Know how to use the DB2 Control Center and other GUI tools available to manage instances and databases, create and access objects, create tasks, schedule jobs, and view Explain information
Possess an in-depth knowledge of the EXPORT, IMPORT, and LOAD utilities
Know how to use the REORGCHK, REORG, REBIND, RUNSTATS, db2look, db2move, and db2pd utilities
Know how to perform database-level and table space-level backup, restore, and roll-forward recovery operations
Have a basic understanding of transaction logging
Be able to interpret information stored in the administration notification log
Possess a strong knowledge about the mechanisms DB2 9 uses to protect data and database objects against unauthorized access and/or modification

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 1-2.

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Figure 1-2: IBM Certified Database Administrator-DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification roadmap.

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 provided 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 1-3.

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Figure 1-3: The accelerated approach for acquiring IBM Certified Database Administrator-DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification.

IBM Certified Database Administrator-DB2 9 for z/OS

The IBM Certified Database Administrator-DB2 9 for z/OS 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 OS/390 platforms. In addition to being knowledgeable about the fundamental concepts of DB2 9 and having significant hands-on experience as a DB2 9 Database Administrator, individuals seeking this certification should:

Know how to convert a logical database design to a physical database design
Know how to create, access, modify, and manage the various DB2 9 objects available
Know how to interpret the contents of system catalogs and directories
Possess a strong knowledge about the activities associated with enabling stored procedures
Be familiar with the different types of constraints available and know how each is used
Possess an in-depth knowledge of the Structured Query Language (SQL), Data Definition Language (DDL), Data Manipulation Language (DML), and Data Control Language (DCL) statements that are available with DB2 9
Know the difference between static and dynamic SQL
Know how to manage storage allocation with tools such as VSAM DELETE, VSAM DEFINE, and STOGROUP
Be familiar with DB2 Disaster Recovery
Possess a basic understanding of the different object statuses available (for example: RECP, GRECP, LPL, and RESTP)
Be able to describe the effects of COMMIT frequency
Know how to capture and analyze Explain information
Know how to capture and analyze DB2 Trace data
Be able to determine the best characteristics for an index
Be able to describe the benefits of data sharing
Be able to describe the features that enable around-the-clock availability
Know how to use the REORG, BIND, REPAIR, UNLOAD, RUNSTATS, LOAD, and MODIFY utilities, including being able to restart a failed utility
Know how to use the DISPLAY, START, STOP, ALTER, RECOVER, and TERM UTILITY commands
Possess a basic understanding of the CHECK DATA/INDEX/LOB utility
Be able to demonstrate how DB2I is used
Be able to identify the functions of the Control Center
Possess a strong knowledge about the mechanisms DB2 9 uses to protect data and database objects against unauthorized access and modification

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 z/OS and OS/390 certification (by taking and passing Exams 700 and 702) must take and pass the DB2 9 for z/OS Database Administration exam (Exam 732) to acquire the IBM Certified Database Administrator-DB2 9 for z/OS certification. All other candidates must take and pass both the DB2 9 Family Fundamentals exam (Exam 730) and the DB2 9 for z/OS Database Administration exam (Exam 732). The roadmap for acquiring the IBM Certified Database Administrator-DB2 9 for z/OS certification can be seen in Figure 1-4.

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Figure 1-4: IBM Certified Database Administrator-DB2 9 for z/OS and OS/390 certification roadmap.

IBM Certified Application Developer-DB2 9 Family

The IBM Certified Application Developer-DB2 9 Family certification is intended for intermediate- to advanced-level application developers who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to create applications that interact with DB2 9 databases residing on supported platforms, including Linux, AIX, HP-UX, Sun Solaris, Windows, zSeries (z/OS, OS/390), and iSeries (AS/400). In addition to being knowledgeable about the fundamental concepts of DB2 9 and having strong skills in embedded SQL programming, ODBC/CLI programming, JDBC programming, or SQLJ programming, individuals seeking this certification should:

Be familiar with the naming conventions used to identify DB2 9 objects
Know what authorities and privileges are needed in order to access data with an application
Possess an in-depth knowledge of the complex database objects available with DB2 9
Possess an in-depth knowledge of the Structured Query Language (SQL), Data Definition Language (DDL), Data Manipulation Language (DML), and Data Control Language (DCL) statements that are available with DB2 9
Know the difference between static and dynamic SQL
Possess an in-depth knowledge of the SQL functions available
Know when to use Embedded SQL, CLI/ODBC, JDBC, SQLJ, PHP, PERL, PYTHON, .NET, and XML
Be able to query tables across multiple tables and views
Be able to identify the types of cursors available, as well as know when to use cursors in an application and what their scope will be
Be able to work with materialized query tables (MQTs)
Be able to identify the results of XML parsing and XML serialization
Possess an in-depth knowledge of XML document encoding management
Know how XML schemas are validated
Be able to execute and identify the results of an XQuery expression
Be familiar with the SQL/XML functions that are available with DB2 9
Be able to establish a connection to a database within an Embedded SQL, CLI/ODBC, JDBC, SQLJ, or .NET application
Possess the ability to analyze the contents of an SQL Communications Area (SQLCA) data structure
Possess the ability to obtain and analyze ODBC/CLI diagnostic information
Possess the ability to obtain and analyze JDBC trace, SQL exception, and JDBC error log information
Possess the ability to obtain and analyze .NET diagnostic information
Be able to query tables across multiple databases, including federated databases
Possess the ability to create triggers and identify their results
Know how to cast data types
Know when to use Compound SQL, parameter markers, and distributed units of work
Know when to use user-defined functions (UDFs) and stored procedures
Know how to create UDFs and stored procedures
Be familiar with the DB2 Developer Workbench

Candidates who have either taken and passed the DB2 V8.1 Family Fundamentals exam (Exam 700) or acquired the IBM Certified Application Developer-DB2 V8.1 Family certification (by taking and passing Exams 700 and 703) must take and pass the DB2 9 Family Application Development exam (Exam 733) to acquire the IBM Certified Application Developer-DB2 9 Family certification. All other candidates must take and pass both the DB2 9 Family Fundamentals exam (Exam 730) and the DB2 9 Family Application Development exam (Exam 733). The roadmap for acquiring the IBM Certified Application Developer-DB2 9 Family certification can be seen in Figure 1-5.

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Figure 1-5: IBM Certified Application Developer-DB2 9 Family certification roadmap.

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

The IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator-DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification is intended for lead Database Administrators who possess extensive knowledge about DB2 9 and who have extensive experience using DB2 9 on one or more of the following supported platforms: Linux, AIX, HP-UX, Sun Solaris, and Windows. In addition to being knowledgeable about the more complex concepts of DB2 9 and having significant experience as a DB2 9 Database Administrator, individuals seeking this certification should:

Know how to design, create, and manage both SMS and DMS tablespaces
Know how to design, create, and manage buffer pools
Be able to take full advantage of intrapartition parallelism and interpartition parallelism
Be able to design and configure federated database access
Know how to manage distributed units of work
Be able to develop a logging strategy
Be able to create constraints on and between table objects
Know how to perform database-level and table-space-level backup, restore, and roll-forward recovery operations
Be able to use the advanced backup and recovery features available
Know how to implement a standby database using log shipping, replication, failover, and fault monitoring
Be able to identify and modify the DB2 Database Manager and database configuration file parameter values that have the most impact on performance
Possess a strong knowledge of query optimizer concepts
Be able to correctly analyze, isolate, and correct database performance problems
Know how to manage a large number of users and connections, including connections to host systems
Know how to create, configure, and manage a partitioned database spanning multiple servers
Be able to create and manage multidimensional clustered tables
Know when the creation of an index will improve database performance
Be able to identify and resolve database connection problems
Possess a strong knowledge about the external authentication mechanisms DB2 9 uses to protect data and database objects against unauthorized access and/or modification
Know how to implement data encryption using Label-Based Access Control (LBAC)

To acquire the IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator-DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification, candidates must hold the IBM Certified Database Administrator-DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification, and they must take and pass the DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Advanced Database Administration exam (Exam 734). The roadmap for acquiring the IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator-DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification can be seen in Figure 1-6.

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Figure 1-6: IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator-DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows certification roadmap.

IBM Certified Solution Designer-DB2 Data Warehouse Edition V9.1

The IBM Certified Solution Designer-DB2 Data Warehouse Edition V9.1 certification is intended for individuals who are knowledgeable about the fundamental concepts of IBM's DB2 Data Warehouse Edition (DWE), Version 9.1. In addition to having the knowledge and skills necessary to design, develop, and support DB2 data warehouse environments using DB2 DWE, anyone seeking this certification should:

Be able to explain how data warehouse and front-end analytics impact Business Intelligence Analytics architecture
Know the difference between a multidimensional database and a relational database warehouse
Know how metadata affects analytical queries
Be able to select appropriate front-end features based on criteria such as presentation needed, level of interactivity required, Web versus FAT client, static versus dynamic, end user skill level
Know how to translate data warehouse-based analytics into schemas, aggregations, and SQL
Know when to use the DB2 Design Advisor versus the CV Advisor
Be able to explain how the DB2 Query Patroller fits into warehouse-based analytics
Be able to distinguish between logical and physical data models
Be able to describe the architecture of DB2 DWE in terms of its components
Be able to describe the architecture of DB2 DWE in terms of the three physical nodes used and where they are installed
Be able to identify the hardware needed to install DB2 Data Warehouse Edition
Know how to create a Data Design Project in the Project Engineer as a container for physical data modeling
Know how to reverse-engineer an existing DB2 schema (or schema subset)
Know how to design or modify a physical data model that describes a data warehouse (including constraints), as well as perform an impact analysis to identify all model/database dependencies
Be able to view the contents of database objects
Be able to identify candidate fact and dimension tables in a data warehouse
Be able to create cube models and Cubes
Know how to define levels and hierarchies
Know how to define and create a dimension object
Know how to create materialized query tables (MQTs), as well as troubleshoot ineffective MQTs
Know how to perform Import and Export operations
Be able to create a data mining project in the Project Explorer
Know how to formulate a data mining task from a business problem, define a preprocessing function to prepare data for data mining, edit properties of mining operators, apply a visualizer operator to a data mining flow, run a data mining flow against a data warehouse, and view the results of any data mining flow run
Be able to describe use cases for the SQL Warehousing Tool
Know how to create, setup, and navigate a Data Warehouse Project using the DB2 DWE Design Studio
Be able to describe the concepts of dataflows, subflows, and control flows, as well as build dataflows and subflows by adding, connecting, and defining properties of SQL Warehousing Dataflow Operators
Know why, when, and how to use a data station in a dataflow
Be able to prepare and deploy a Data Warehouse Project application to a test and/or production environment, using the DB2 DWE Administration Console
Be able to set up and perform Query Workload Management
Know how to setup and perform Historical Analysis
Know how to administer, maintain, and tune the Query Patroller

In order to acquire the IBM Certified Solution Designer-DB2 Data Warehouse Edition V9.1 certification, candidates must take and pass one exam: the DB2 Data Warehouse Edition V9.1 exam (Exam 716). The roadmap for acquiring the IBM Certified Solution Designer-DB2 Data Warehouse Edition V9.1 certification is illustrated in Figure 1-7.

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Figure 1-7: IBM Certified Solution Designer-DB2 Data Warehouse Edition V9.1 certification roadmap.