Automatic Storage Management (ASM) is a feature in Oracle Database 10g/11g that provides the database administrator with a simple storage management interface that is consistent across all server and storage platforms. As a vertically integrated file system and volume manager, purpose-built for Oracle database files, ASM provides the performance of async I/O with the easy management of a file system. ASM provides capability that saves the DBAs time and provides flexibility to manage a dynamic database environment with increased efficiency.

The default parameters associated with this test page are as follows:

• The TEST PERIOD list box helps the user to decide how often this test needs to be executed. 

• In the HOST text box, the host name of the server for which the test is to be configured has to be specified.

• The port number to which the oracle server is listening is to be provided in the PORT text box.

• In order to monitor an Oracle database server, a special database user account has to be created in every Oracle database instance that requires monitoring. A Click here hyperlink is available in the test configuration page, using which a new oracle database user can be created. Alternatively, you can manually create the special database user. When doing so, ensure that this user is vested with the select_catalog_role and create session privileges. The sample script we recommend for user creation for eG monitoring is:
  
  create user oraeg identified by oraeg
  create role oratest;
  grant create session to oratest;
  grant select_catalog_role to oratest;
  grant oratest to oraeg;

  The name of this user has to be specified in the USER text box, and the password of this user has to be entered in the PASSWORD text box. Confirm the password by retyping it in the CONFIRM PASSWORD text box. This login information is required to query Oracle's internal dynamic views, so as to fetch the current status / health of the various database components. 

• If multiple components of the same component type are awaiting configuration, then an APPLY TO OTHER COMPONENTS check box will appear in this page. Clicking on this check box will allow you to apply the configuration to all/selected components of that type.

• Once the necessary values have been provided, clicking on the Update button will register the changes made.

When changing the configuration for specific servers, a “*” beside the text box corresponding to the parameter signifies that these values have to be manually configured by the user. The parameter values that require to be configured will typically be prefixed with a “$” or contain a series of “*”. A value of "none" in the parameter value indicates that the corresponding parameter value can be changed if required.