In the previous module, we examined tuning the shared pool.
This module discusses tuning the Oracle data buffer cache.
The Oracle data buffers are one of the most important areas of SGA tuning, since the presence of an Oracle data block in memory can greatly reduce disk I/O. Disk I/O is one of the most time-consuming operations that Oracle will perform. Our focus in this module will be to understand the dynamics of the Oracle data buffers and examine techniques that provide the greatest performance gains.
By the time you complete this module, you should be able to:

1. Describe the components of the Oracle data buffer
2. Calculate the buffer hit ratio
3. Run the simulation utility
4. Predict the amount of spare memory
5. Define multiple data buffers
6. Configure multiple buffer pools
7. Run a script to display data buffer hit ratio
8. Issue the cache directive on a table

In the next lesson, we will examine the Oracle data buffer cache.