Introduction

In this introductory chapter, an overview of some key concepts of data sharing and data synchronization needs that originate both within and outside of enterprises will be presented. How the Oracle Stream technology fits into the data sharing realm will also be examined.

Oracle Streams provides a queue-based and non-intrusive methodology that can be used to transfer the changed data across databases.  It offers a new method of data replication for the Oracle Database environment. It is asynchronous in nature and as a result, it has minimum impact on the source database system. In keeping with market demand, Oracle has developed this revolutionary stream replication method which reads the redo logs with the intent of capturing the database transactions for onwards propagation and consumption. This is a timely departure for the Oracle database environment which hitherto depended on trigger snapshot replication and synchronous advanced replication

Streams replication is the new kid on the block!!

There is a strong and growing need for data sharing among the different internal and external users in an organization. This is becoming more important due to the rapid globalization of business operations. Oracle Streams is well positioned to offer a simple and flexible, yet revolutionary, method to move data between databases at high speeds. Streams based replication involves data exchange between the peer database systems. It readily provides an alternate database, which can serve as the primary whenever the original primary database is lost or inoperable. In a way, it can be designed to be disaster recovery solution.