IBM DB2 Certification

DB2 is one of IBM's families of relational database management system (RDBMS) software products within IBM's Information Management Software line. There are several editions and versions of DB2, which operate on devices ranging from palmtops to mainframes. Frequently DB2 refers to the DB2 Enterprise Server Edition, which runs on UNIX, Windows, Linux and z/OS servers.

DB2 completely dominates on mainframes. IBM is one of the top two commercial database vendors for both UNIX and Linux systems. On Windows servers, Microsoft's SQL Server leads in market, in spite of that DB2 presents a reasonable presence nonetheless. Currently IBM offers various training and certification paths on DB2. The average salary for IBM certified DB2 DBA is approx. Rs.93,000.

There are three levels; entry, intermediate and advanced in IBM DB2 Certification hierarchy.
1. IBM Certified Database Associate - DB2 9 Fundamentals

This Certification is an entry level DBA. To earn this certificate, candidate must have knowledge about the fundamental concepts of DB2 9 through applied experience or formal education. Database Associate must have in-depth knowledge of basic SQL, understand how to install, create databases and its various objects. To attain IBM Certified Database Associate - DB2 9 Fundamentals certification, candidate must pass 1 test i.e. Test 730.

2. a). IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 DBA for Linux, UNIX and Windows

IBM Certified Database Administrator is the prime Database Administrator for DB2 on Linux, UNIX and Windows Servers. This DBA has significant experience on DB2 9, especially the new features and functionality related to DB2 9. To achieve this certification candidate has two paths: either passes 2 tests or 3 tests.

1. Two Tests - Test 700 or Test 730 and Test 731
2. Three Tests - Test 700 or Test 730, Test 701 and Test 736.

b). IBM Certified Database Administrator - DB2 9 DBA for z/OS

IBM Certified DBA has significant experience as DBA and possesses broad experience of DB2 9 including all the new features and functionality related to version 9. This specialist is capable of performing the intermediate to advanced tasks related to database design and implementation, operation and recovery, security and auditing, performance, and installation and migration/upgrades specific to the z/OS operating system. Candidate must possess two years of experience in Database Administrator on z/OS system, knowledge about Java and C++. This Certification requires 2 tests. Any 1 of following tests: Test 700 or Test 730 and Test 732.

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

IBM Certified Advanced Database Administrator is the senior DBA for the DB2 products on one or more of the following platforms: Linux, UNIX and Windows. This individual has vast experience as a DBA and extensive knowledge of DB2 9. This person is capable of performing the complex tasks for instance; performance, high availability, security and networking. This Certification has 2 paths:

Path 1 requires 3 tests:

a) Choose 1 from following:

1. Test 700 - DB2 V8.1 Family Fundamentals.
2. Test 730 - DB2 9 Family Fundamentals

b) Test 731 - DB2 9 DBA for Linux UNIX and Windows
c) Test 734 - DB2 9 Advanced Database Administrator for Linux,UNIX and Windows

Path 2 requires 4 tests:

a) Choose 1 from following:

1. Test 700 - DB2 V8.1 Family Fundamentals
2. Test 730 - DB2 9 Family Fundamentals

b) Test 701 - DB2 V8.1 for Linux UNIX and Windows Database Administration
c) Test 736 - DB2 9 Database Administrator for Linux UNIX and Windows Upgrade
d) Test 734 - DB2 9 Advanced Database Administrator for Linux UNIX and Windows


All IBM DB2 Test are conducted by Prometric at various Prometric Test Centers all over the world.

IBM Lotus Certification Programs

IBM Lotus Notes is a client-server, shared application developed and sold by IBM Software Group. IBM describes the software as an "integrated desktop client option for accessing business e-mail, calendars and applications on an IBM Lotus Domino server”. It has many features like group calendaring and scheduling and SMTP based e-mail. It is essentially used as an e-mail client, but can it also be used as a browser, notebook, an instant messaging client as well as platform for interacting with shared applications.

Lotus Certification Programs
Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5	Associate, Professional and Advanced level Certifications in Application Development and System Administration.
Lotus Notes and Domino 8	Associate, Professional and Advanced level Certifications in Application Development and System Administration.
Lotus Notes and Domino 7	Associate, Professional and Advanced level Certifications in Application Development and System Administration.
Lotus Security	Advanced level Certifications for Lotus Notes and Domino Security Professionals
Lotus Social Software	Professional level Certifications for Lotus Connections, Domino and WebSphere Portal.
Lotus Sametime	Professional level Certifications in System Administration.
WebSphere Portal	Professional level Certifications in Solution Development and System Administration on Portal V6.0 and V6.1

Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5

Application Development

Associate Level - IBM Certified Associate Application Developer should be able to exhibit the fundamental skills necessary to design and alter a database application that can be accessed by both Notes and browser clients. It is recommended that the developer understand the basic elements of Domino 8 environment, apply them with programming formulas and functions. Only 1 test is required to earn this Certification i.e., Test LOT-952.

Professional Level - This Certification requires a deeper knowledge of architectural concepts and use of complex functions and features. It is for the experienced Notes Domino 8 Application Developers. Prerequisites for this Certification is:

1. IBM Certified Application Developer - Lotus Notes and Domino 8,
2. Test LOT 951-IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 Application Development Update

Advanced Level - IBM Certified Advanced Level Application Developer on Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 should be able to validate the skills required to create and maintain Domino 8.5 Applications in one of the three areas; LotusScript or JavaScript or Web Services or developer can effectively create and deploy composite applications with Notes and Domino 8.5. To earn this Certification, prerequisites are; 1 Certification + 1 Test.

System Administration

Associate Level - This certification is for system administrators who are just starting out with Domino and who need to install, maintain and manage the Domino servers and users. It is required that administrator should be able to install and build the servers for the first time and establish the basic Domino domain. Applicant has to give one test, to earn this certification i.e. Test LOT -980 Operating Fundamentals.

Professional Level - IBM Certified System Administrator should be able to execute the tasks related with IBM Certified Associate System Administrator and express the skills linked with growth of Domino infrastructure. Prerequisites for this certification are; 1 Certification i.e. IBM Certified System Administrator - Lotus Notes and Domino 8 and 1 test i.e. Test LOT-956 System Administration Update.

Advanced Level - The IBM Certified Advanced System Administrator - Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 should be able to accomplish everyday jobs associated with the IBM Certified System Administrator - Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5, and validates knowledge of Domino Web server administration including configuring Web protocols (HTTP, LDAP, and others), and understanding HTTP rules and their effect on Web traffic. Prerequisites for this certification are; 1 Certification and 1 test.

Source: IBM Lotus

Oracle wins over Sun Microsystems

I had earlier written about the possibility of IBM taking over Sun Microsystems, but that was not to be! Finally Sun Microsystems has been taken over by Oracle Corporation on April 20th, 2009. Oracle Corporation has bought Sun Microsystems for a whopping $7.4 billion after an alternative buyout bid by IBM did not come to fruition.

Oracle now will be able to incorporate Oracle databases into the Solaris operating system. The acquisition of Sun Microsystems will transform the IT industry; it combines the best enterprise software and essential computing systems. Sun Chairman Scott McNealy said: “Oracle and Sun have been industry pioneers and close partners for more than 20 years. This combination is a natural evolution of our relationship and will be an industry-defining event.”

What will be the effect on Sun and Oracle certification tracks? Nothing will change anytime soon. Sun’s Java Certifications track and Oracle Database Administration Certifications are well-respected certification programs in IT industry and the change in ownership won’t change that. If at all demand for both these certifications will increase in the long term as synergies between these will create more applications and increase the user base.

The Marriage of IBM and Sun Microsystems

The hot news in the IT industry today that is, IBM looking to acquire Sun Microsystems. In that may be a huge collaboration between the two technology majors, this can potentially hit Microsoft’s market hard. According to the source, if this merger/acquisition does go through, the combined companies can take over 40 % of the total server market revenue & 60% of market for servers based on UNIX operating systems.

IBM manufactures & sells computer hardware & software, and offers infrastructure services, hosting & consulting services ranging from supercomputing to nanotechnology. IBM is the largest manufacturer of servers in IT market, followed by HP, Dell and Sun Microsystems. Sun Microsystems are currently running losses. Last year, the stocks & share prices of Sun Microsystems have plummeted and continue to do so this year.

Numerous analysts are speculating about the possible profits for IBM post the acquisition of Sun Microsystems, which owns the right to Java programming language & MySQL open source database. According to the Wall Street Journal IBM has dropped its offer to $9 & $10 a share from their previous demand of $10 to $11 per share. If this major takeover happens, this will be one of the biggest in IBM’s history.

The possibilities are myriad. We can possibly see IBM computers with Solaris & other Sun Microsystems products and hence can give Microsoft, UNIX a run for their money. It will increase the demand of IBM and Sun Certifications in the IT industry.