Has anyone obtained both of the certs already? Which one is easest and more marketable?
Printable View
Has anyone obtained both of the certs already? Which one is easest and more marketable?
I just got a guy's feedback for his free DB2 test. So many detail SQL statement and security concept there.
Hi,
I will undergo a DB2 training by the end of this month and I am required by my company to take the DB2 certs at the end of next month.
I will tell you the differences between Oracle after that. Infact I am also very much interested on these two big names in database field.
Ric
Following the DB job market for quite some time, I must say that the ratio between Oracle jobs and the rest is about 5:1. The rest meaning (DB2, SQLServer, etc. gathered together). This is the situation in Scandinavia however, where companies can afford Oracle.
In this area, there is a steady, but not growing demand for DB2 for mainframe. It seems that some companies run data warehouses and some SAP on UDB, but over 95% of the DB2 jobs are mainframe.
I have heard that in Europe more than 90% of SAP installations are on Oracle. Only some days ago I noticed a job add, a company looking for a DB2 administrator, it's a very rare thing. The company was called IBM.
So is it worthless?Quote:
Originally posted by julian
The company was called IBM.
Hi folks,
My mumblings on the subject,
DB2 corners the mainframe and Oracle has the Unix market.
DB2 is apparently cheaper than Oracle and given IBM's realtively agressive forray into the Linux market the market percentages may start to change.
For instance, I recall reading that IBM had overtaken Oracle this year in terms of market percentage over all platforms.
The cert for DB2 is split either for Unix/Windows/OS2 or OS390. There are three levels, Specialis, Solutions Expert or Advanced Technical Expert.
The cert involves two exams covering fundamentals and DBA topics.
Interestingly, if you time it right you can do the exams for free!! Anyone scoring more than a certain percentage on the IBM practice exam gets a voucher for a free real exam.
Personally I think the DB2 cert is harder than OCP for two reasons.
1. Because there are only two exams you need to remember more for each exam. With OCP, the exams are more focussed.
2. There is far less self study material available (which might lead to fewer DB2 paper certs!!!). Having said that, you can get an "All In One" book for DB2 UDB which is apparently pretty good.
A DB2 cert is rarer and, if you have the time to do it, can't do your knowledge levels any harm. Unfortunately employers tend to want either an Oracle person or DB2 failing to understand that (at least on Mainframe) both products share a number of similar concepts.
Bottom line - learning is never useless especially if you end up with a reasonable foundation in the top two RDBMS products.
Good luck.
Nick
Not quite from what i understand. UDB is cheaper and can run on UNIX, and NT as well. The market is growing actually. Just find out from a co-worker, he has UDB cert already and he said UDB is a little easier. He had tried Oracle some time ago, so he did the comparison. Only 2 exam are required.Quote:
Originally posted by dknight
In this area, there is a steady, but not growing demand for DB2 for mainframe. It seems that some companies run data warehouses and some SAP on UDB, but over 95% of the DB2 jobs are mainframe.
DB2 on the mainframe is a different product than DB2 on Windows and Unix.
That's why it says UDB (Universal Database) NT/UNIX DB2 version ...no more green screen :)Quote:
Originally posted by dknight
DB2 on the mainframe is a different product than DB2 on Windows and Unix.
I've got both certificates, UDB is easier to get. I found that UDB has very good value as well because there are not that many certified udb dba (unix/nt) around. Recently there are increasing number of dba jobs for udb. Try search keyworld DBA at monster.com you will be surprised.
Here in Singapore, I hardly heard anything about a company using DB2. But because of the economic situation which is unstable my boss wanted us to get into the IBM products as well. FYI, right now I have already handled projects for Oracle but due to the lack of projects coming in on this lovely product we are forced to step on unchartered area, which is DB2.
I personally think that to work with Oracle you have to step on the development side in order to be profitable. If you just offer services like installation, advanced configuration, backup, or other point services like what we do right now, there will hardly be enough projects to feed all the engineers here.
My boss said that he wanted to see the business first whether there is DB2 opportunities or not for the next 3-6 months. If it is not enough then he will drop the business.
Well, I am really confused over this but what can I say.
Guys, what do you think?
Ric
Jack of all trades, master of none!