Top Obiee Interview Questions And Answers

Here are top 62 objective type sample OBIEE Interview questions and their answers are given
just below to them. These sample questions are framed by experts from Intellipaat who trains
for OBIEE training to give you an idea of type of questions which may be asked in interview. We
have taken full care to give correct answers for all the questions. Do comment your thoughts
Happy Job Hunting!
Q1.What is a bridge table ?
Answer:- If you want to connect two tables where there is no relation ship you can use a thrid
bridge table for connecting them which will have common columns in both tables, this is used in
BMM Layer.
Q2.What are the Key Configuration Files in OBIEE?
Answer:- NQSConfig.ini, NQSCluster.ini, odbc.ini, instanceconfig.xml
Q3.How Time based triggered report can be generated
Using Scheduler - ibots
Q4.What is ibot
Ibot is an scheduling agent, used to schedule reports to be sent across various devices such as
email, pager, mobile, other devices etc
Q5.What r diff types of joins that are possible in OBIEE RPD
Complex Join to use multiple conditions, such A.ROW_WID = B.ROW_WID AND / OR A.A_WID =
B.B_WID like that
Natural Join / Equi Join
Q6.Difference between a session and repo variable
Session variables are similar to dynamic repository variables in that they obtain their values from
initialization blocks. Unlike dynamic repository variables, however, the initialization of session
variables is not scheduled. When a user begins a session, the Oracle BI Server creates new
instances of session variables and initializes them.
A repository variable has a single value at any point in time. Repository variables can be used
instead of literals or constants in Expression Builder in the Administration Tool. The Oracle BI
Server substitutes the value of the repository variable for the variable itself in the metadata.
Unlike a repository variable, there are as many instances of a session variable as there are active
sessions on the Oracle BI Server. Each instance of a session variable could be initialized to a
different value.
(or)
Session variables can have different values for each user, repository variables have the same
value for everyone.
There are two types of session variables:

System session variables: out of the box variables like USER

Non-system session variables: user-defined variables, can have different values for each
user and are typically used to customize user experience , for example you could have a
SALES_REGION variable to show only data relevant to the user's region.
Repository variables also have 2 subtypes:

Static repository variable: Fixed value that can only be changed with the admin tool, can
be used to replace hardcoded values like database schemas and user names in connection pools.


Dynamic repository variable: These hold values that apply to any user, for instance
currency exchange rates.
Both System variables and dynamic repository variables get their values from initialization blocks
that can contain SQL.
Q7.What is task scheme and In production... if users are running the report.. but not getting the
data... what could be the reason and list all the checks step by step.. How u will resolve the
problem
whether the issue is specific to this user / general. If general, then you might want to check the
joins, referential integrity between tables. If specific, then you may have to check his security
authorization, business model filters, session variable initialization / any query timing limitations,
number of connection pool parameters etc
Q8.How can i have two different columns from two different tables or subject areas
Using confirmed dimensions, you can fetch multiple metrics across various facts, but the join
should be of the same grain / same level of data detail.
Q9.How can u use saved filters and where will you save the filters
Shared Folders/XYZ Folder/ It contains two folders
a.Prompts saved filters will be stored here.
b. Reports
Q10.Have you worked in dashboard.. when u run a dashboard... how will u stop the dashboard
report run automatically
By clicking on the cancel button, you can stop a specific report placed on the dashboard
Q11.What is a surrogate key
A surrogate key is an artificially generated key, usually a number. A surrogate key, in the level
aggregate table, simplifies this join and removes unnecessary columns (level primary key) from
the fact table, resulting in a smaller-sized fact table. Adding surrogate keys to the dimension
(level) aggregate tables can simplify joins to the fact tables and might improve query
performance. Additionally, a surrogate key makes sure that each aggregate table has a unique
identifier.
Q12.Couple of table names in Oracle GL,AR..ect
Talk in detail using below material.. this talks of entire flow as to which table is used for what
AR
To be in the position where you need to handle and process a payment in Receivables, you need
to have a buyer/payer (most times this is a customer but there are exceptions). Customer
records are stored in the HZ_CUST_ACCOUNTS and HZ_PARTIES tables. Each customer needs to
have a site (a location/address of business) for which information is stored in
HZ_CUST_ACCT_SITES_ALL and HZ_PARTY_SITES_ALL.
When a customer purchases goods or services from your company, an invoice is generated for
the customer. These invoice transactions are recorded in RA_CUSTOMER_TRX_ALL (invoice
headers) and RA_CUSTOMER_TRX_LINES_ALL (invoice lines).
When the customer makes a payment, this generates new transactions. These are recorded in
AR_CASH_RECEIPTS_ALL and AR_CASH_RECEIPT_HISTORY. If there is adjustment to an invoice,
this is recorded in AR_ADJUSTMENTS.

Sometimes payments are received in batches, where a single payment is for multiple invoices.
These batch payments have records in AR_BATCHES.
The AR_PAYMENT_SCHEDULE table holds one record per payment. Therefore, for payments that
pay an invoice in full, there will only be one record related to that invoice. However, if payments
for an invoice are broken up into a payment plan, or if a partial payment is received for an
invoice, additional records will be generated in this table for each payment.
GL
GL_INTERFACE

This table holds financial transactions

(journals)
transferred from other Oracle Applications modules and
external systems.

GL_JE_BATCHES

This table identifies a batch of journals that are related

and processed together. Each batch contains one or
more journals.

GL_JE_HEADER

Each journal has one journal header

table

GL_JE_LINES

Each journal has one or more journal

together by the journal header

and one record this

lines and are tied

Some other important supporting tables in the GL data model include:

GL_CODE_COMBINATIO
NS

This is the Accounting Flexfield table and it stores

the chart of accounts values, and so the table
contains the valid GL account combinations allowed
in the system, along with other relevant information
about the accounts.

GL_LEDGERS

This table stores all the Ledgers and

the Oracle GL system

GL_PERIODS

This table stores information about the accounting

periods defined in the Oracle GL system. Each row
contains information such as, start date, end date of
the period, the period type, the fiscal year, and the
period number.

Ledger Sets in

Q13.What is a request variable and in a table how can i get the distinct record from the table...
and If I say 'distinct all'.. what data will u get

So exactly what is a request variable? Well, put succinctly:

A request variable is a variable that is used to temporarily override the value of a session
variable.
And, with a little more precision, a request variable is:
A variable that is defined within the Presentation Services;
A variable whose scope (page or dashboard) is that of the associated dashboard prompt that
defines the request variable and its value;
A variable whose name should not match that of a repository variable or a security system
session variable; and
A variable that overrides the value of the corresponding session variable (should it exist) for
the purpose of BI Server request parsing and physical SQL construction for all requests that are
issued from dashboard pages that fall within the scope of the variables definition.
Note, using a request variable does not change the actual value of a session variable neither
temporarily nor permanently. It simply appears to change the value for certain purposes during
the execution of a request.
Q14.When u run optimization and suppose u get some number....so how u know that the number
is too bad or too good....
Well, this is situation dependent.. Only way is to check with source numbers

Q15.What is explain plan

From the BI side, you can basically use 2 types of hints
The Index hint instructs the optimizer to scan a specified index rather than a table.
The Leading hint forces the optimizer to build the join order of a query with a specified table.
Importantly, the Explain Plan contains the following information regarding your query.
Ordering of the tables referenced
Access method for each table
Join method for each join operation
Data operations, such as filter, sort or aggregation
And in addition:
Optimization (Cost and Cardinality)
Partitioning
Parallel Execution

Q16.What are aggregations and if we have to do it on physical layer side then how u do it
You can use the Aggregate Persistence Wizard to create the SQL file that will be used to create
aggregate tables and map them into the metadata.
Do not use aggregate persistence against tables with active Virtual Private Database (VPD)
security filters. There is a possibility that the aggregate information might be persisted without
the VPD filter, posing a security risk.
The Aggregate Persistence Wizard is a nifty utility for creating, modelling and populating
aggregate tables available in OBIEE 10g and 11g. This utility is especially useful to quickly build a
single aggregation layer upon federated heterogeneous physical sources. OBIEE will create,
model and populate aggregate dimensions and facts based upon the intelligence you have built
into the RPD. This avoids re-writing the same logic into your ETL
Q17.What kind of sources can be connected to OBIee ?

ANS: OBIee can be plugged on Relational Databases, Cubes or Flat files, with the following
constraints :
The sources must be modeled as star schemas or snowflakes schemas in order to have an
efficient and safe behavior.
In case of multiple sources directly in OBIee used together, be aware that OBIee will conduct the
needed joins itself, and OBIee is not a database.
Q18.Is it possible to create a report based on two subject areas (example : Sales and Supply
chain) ?
ANS: Theoretically, yes. In practice, the two subject area must come from the same business
model in the repository, which is quite useless. Then, we can consider the two following
alternatives :
Create an analysis with combine request: one subrequest by subject area. Note that its tricky
to implement for standard users.
Set up a transverse subject area, that will gather tables from both business topics.
Q19.How to get real physical SQL sent by OBIee to the database
ANS: First of all, check the value of your session variable LOGLEVEL.
5 is fine.
Then, go into Administration -> Manage sessions.
Find your query (at the bottom of the list), and click on View log.
If you hit the cache, you will see cache hit on query. Otherwise, you will see the physical SQL
below the logical SQL.
Q20.How to configure an OBIee environment ?
ANS: In OBIee 11g, main configuration items are managed in Enterprise Manager (web interface).
However, some configurations are still located in configuration files, like NQSConfig.ini,
NQSCluster.ini, odbc.ini, and instanceconfig.xml.

Q21.In a troubleshooting perspective, how can I see log files ?

ANS: Old method in 10g version consisted in opening log files on the server.
Now, in 11g, log information is consultable in Enterprise Manager.
Q22What is query repository tool?
ANS: It is utility of Seibel/OBIEE Admin tool
Allows you to examine the repository metadata tool
For example: search for objects based on name, type.
Examine relationship between metadata objects like which column in the presentation layer
maps to which table in physical layer
Q23. What is JDK and why do we need it?
ANS: Java Development Kit (JDK), A software package that contains the minimal set of tools
needed to write, compile, debug, and run Java applets.

Oracle doesnt recommend Opaque Views because of performance considerations, so why/when

do we use them?
An opaque view is a physical layer table that consists of select statement. an opaque view should
be used only if there is no other solution.
Can you migrate the presentation layer to a different server?
No we have to migrate the whole web & RPD files
Q24.How do you identify what are the dimension tables and how do you decide them during the
Business/Data modeling?
ANS: Dimension tables contain descriptions that data analysts use as they query the database.
For example, the Store table contains store names and addresses; the Product table contains
product packaging information; and the Period table contains month, quarter, and year values.
Every table contains a primary key that consists of one or more columns; each row in a table is
uniquely identified by its primary-key value or values

Q25.Why do we have multiple LTS in BMM layer? What is the purpose?

ANS: To improve the performance and query response time.
Q26.What is the full form of RPD?
ANS: There is no full form for RPD as such, it is just a repository file (Rapidfile Database)

Q27.How do i disable cache for only 2 particular tables?

ANS: In the physical layer, right click on the table there we will have the option which says
cacheable
Q28.How do you split a table in the RPD given the condition?
ANS: (The condition given was Broker and customer in the same table) Split Broker and
customer.
We need to make an alias table in the physical layer.
Q29.What type of protocol did you use in SAS?
ANS: TCP/IP
Q30.What is logging level? Where can you set logging levels?
ANS: You can enable logging level for individual users; you cannot configure a logging level for a
group.Set the logging level based on the amount of logging you want to do. In normal operations,
logging is generally disabled (the logging level is set to 0). If you decide to enable logging,
choose a logging level of 1 or 2. These two levels are designed for use by Siebel Analytics Server
administrators.
Set Logging Level:
1. In the Administration Tool, select Manage > Security.
2. The Security Manager dialog box appears.

3. Double-click the users user ID.

4. The User dialog box appears.
5. Set the logging level by clicking the Up or Down arrows next to the Logging Level field

Q31.What is variable in OBIEE?

ANS: You can use variables in a repository to streamline administrative tasks and modify
metadata content dynamically to adjust to a changing data environment. The Administration Tool
includes a Variable Manager for defining variables
Q32.What is system variable and non-system variable?
ANS: System variables:
System variables are session variables that the Siebel Analytics Server and Siebel Analytics Web
use for specific purposes. System variables have reserved names, which cannot be used for
other kinds of variables (such as static or dynamic repository variables, or for non-system session
variables). When using these variables in the Web, preface their names with NQ_SESSION. For
example, to filter a column on the value of the variable LOGLEVEL set the filter to the Variable
NQ_SESSION.LOGLEVEL.
Non-system variables:
A common use for non-system session variables is setting user filters. For example, you could
define a non-system variable called SalesRegion that would be initialized to the name of the
users sales region. You could then set a security filter for all members of a group that would
allow them to see only data pertinent to their region.
When using these variables in the Web, preface their names with NQ_SESSION. For example, to
filter a column on the value of the variable SalesRegion set the filter to the Variable
NQ_SESSION.SalesRegion.
Q33. What are different types of variables? Explain each.
ANS: There are two classes of variables:
1. Repository variables
2. Session variables
Repository variables:
A repository variable has a single value at any point in time. There are two types of repository
variables:
Static: This value persists, and does not change until a Siebel Analytics Server administrator
decides to change it.
Dynamic: The values are refreshed by data returned from queries. When defining a dynamic
repository variable, you will create an initialization block or use a preexisting one that contains a
SQL query. You will also set up a schedule that the Siebel Analytics Server will follow to execute
the query and periodically refresh the value of the variable.
Session Variables:
Session variables are created and assigned a value when each user logs on. There are two types
of session variables:
1.system
2.non-system.

Q34.What is the cache management? Name all of them and their uses. For Event polling table
do you need the table in your physical layer?
ANS: Monitoring and managing the cashe is cache management.There are three ways to do that.
Disable caching for the system.(NSQconfig INI file), Cache persistence time for specified physical
tables and Setting event polling table.
Disable caching for the system.(INI NQ config file :
You can disable caching for the whole system by setting the ENABLE parameter to NO in the
NQSConfig.INI file and restarting the Siebel Analytics Server. Disabling caching stops all new
cache entries and stops any new queries from using the existing cache. Disabling caching allows
you to enable it at a later time without losing any entries already stored in the cache.
Cache persistence time for specified physical tables:
You can specify a cacheable attribute for each physical table; that is, if queries involving the
specified table can be added to the cache to answer future queries. To enable caching for a
particular physical table, select the table in the Physical layer of the Administration Tool and
select the option Make table cacheable in the General tab of the Physical Table properties dialog
box. You can also use the Cache Persistence Time settings to specify how long the entries for this
table should persist in the query cache. This is useful for OLTP data sources and other data
sources that are updated frequently, potentially down to every few seconds.
Setting event polling table:
Siebel Analytics Server event polling tables store information about updates in the underlying
databases. An application (such as an application that loads data into a data mart) could be
configured to add rows to an event polling table each time a database table is updated. The
Analytics server polls this table at set intervals and invalidates any cache entries corresponding
to the updated tables.
For event polling table ,It is a standalone table and doesnt require to be joined with other tables
in the physical layer.
Q35.What is Authentication? How many types of authentication.
ANS: Authentication is the process, by which a system verifies, through the use of a user ID and
password, that a user has the necessary permissions and authorizations to log in and access
data. The Siebel Analytics Server authenticates each connection request it receives.
Operating system authentication
External table authentication
Database authentication
LDAP authentication
Q36.What is object level security?
ANS: There are two types of object level security:
1.
Report Level
2.
Web Level
Repository level: In presentation layer we can set Repository level security by giving permission
or deny permission to users/groups to see particular table or column.
Web level: this provides security for objects stored in the OBIEE web catalog, such as
dashboards, dashboards pages, folder, and reports you can only view the objects for which you

are authorized. For example, a mid-level manager may not be granted access to a dashboard
containing summary information for an entire department.
Q37.What is data level security?
ANS: This controls the type an amount of data that you can see in a report. When multiple users
run the same report the results that are returned to each depend on their access rights and roles
in the organization. For example a sales vice president sees results for all regions, while a sales
representative for a particular region sees only data for that region.
Q38. What is the difference between Data Level Security and Object Level Security?
ANS: Data level security controls the type and amount of data that you can see in reports. Object
level security provides security for objects stored in the OBIEE web catalog, like dashboards,
dashboards pages, folder, and reports.
Q39.How is security set up in OBIEE? How many methods of security can be set up in OBIEE?
ANS: Authentication is process of confirming whether the user is a valid user or not. Is he part of
this company? Is he an employee of our external suppliers?
Authorization is process of giving access to different pieces of the OBIEE. One user UserA can
access dashboards, can create iBots, can schedule reports and can do administrative tasks.
Another user UserB can see only part of what UserA has access to and UserB has access to
some other tabs of the dashboard that UserA does not.
This layer of separating who can access what is done as part of Authorization.

Q40. How does OBIEE handle Authentication?

Its very flexible and can be integrated to one of your existing technologies like LDAP, Oracle
EBS, AD, and Oracle Database. So, do the same username have to exist in OBIEE security layer
as part of RPD development? Yes, by default, OBIEE stores list of usernames and passwords and
checks incoming credentials against it.
Heard about External Table Authentication? Where does this come into play?
Instead of storing usernames and passwords directly in the RPD, these are stored in the database
for better management purposes. This also helps in RPD migration and deployment across
multiple environments.
Q41.How is Authorization handled in OBIEE?
ANS: Authorization is done as part of security in Presentation Services.
Q42.Does OBIEE have two layers of security?
ANS: Yes, first at the RPD level and second at the presentation services level.
Q43.What kind of privileges can be granted from presentation services level?
ANS: Access to iBots, certain tabs in the dashboard, delivers, alerts, schedule reports etc etc..
Q44.Why OBIEE security is different compared to other BI tools?
ANS: Because its very flexible and can integrate into any existing security architecture an
organization has built and reduces the need for one more layer of administration..

Did Oracle OBIEE do a good job of communicating and convincing the user community regarding
the security architecture?
Probably not I understand the complexity behind this and the mere flexibility of the tool makes
this even difficult.

Q45.What is the default location of a repository file?

[InstalledDirectory]OracleBIserverRepository
Q46.Whats XMLA and where is it used for in OBIEE context
ANS: The Provider Services tool that comes with Essbase is used to provide the interface, with
Oracle BI Server talking to Essbase through its XMLA interface. (Need to find the answer still)
XML for Analysis (abbreviated as XMLA) is an industry standard for data access in analytical
systems, such as OLAP and Data Mining. XMLA is based on other industry standards such as XML,
SOAP and HTTP.
Q47.Can you change the location of your RPD file in your OBIEE Configuration? If Yes, Where
would you mention the new location of this RPD file for Bi Server?
ANS: Read the NQSConfig file Repository Section. You will easily find the answer. The answer for
this is It cant be changed.
The repository location can be changed, this must be done when clustering the BI Server. The
parameters in the NQSCONFIG.INI file are
REPOSITORY_PUBLISHING_DIRECTORY =
REQUIRE_PUBLISHING_DIRECTORY = YES;

Q48.What kind of joins would you perform in the physical layer of the repository file when
opened with Administration tool?
ANS: We cannot have outer joins in Physicla layer. We can outer joins in BMM layer. In BMM layer
complex join can be full inner join or full outer join or whatever your criteria was,but in physical
layer physical join is always an inner join.
Q49.What are the minimum services needed to load a repository file onto memory and view a
dashboard which has reports that have been refreshed on a scheduled basis?
ANS: Oracle BI Java Host, Oracle BI Presentation Server, and Oracle BI Server
Q50.What is Level Based Metrics.How will you create it?
Answer:- Leval-base matrics means, having a measure pinned at a certain level of the dimension.
Monthly Total Sales or Quarterly Sales are the examples.
To create a level based measure, create a new logical column based on the original measure (like
Sales in the example above). Drag and drop the new logical column to the appropriate level in
the Dimension hierarchy (in the above example you will drag and drop it to Month in Time
Dimension.
Q51.What are Global Filter and how thery differ From Column Filter?

Answer:Column filter- Simply a filter applied on a column which we can use to restrict our column values
while pulling the data or in charts to see the related content.
Global filter- This filter will have impact on across the application.
Q52.What is a materialized view?
ANS: Materialized view is a physical object and replica of the one or more master objects.It will
refresh in an intervals.

Q53.Have you ever tried with de-normalized Database to build reports? If yes, How to handle?
ANS: Building reports on de-normalized data is not a best practice it leads to performance issues
but we can build the reports. These are reports cant be used for business analysis because the
data will fluctuate non regular intervals.
Top Answers to OBIEE Interview Questions
1. Explain the Architecture of OBIEE 11g and function of each components?
OBIEE Comprises Presentation Services,Oracle BI Server:
The user constructs sql and passes it to the Analytic Engine and then the Oracle BI
(Analytic Engine) describes the physical sql to the Datasources and recover the data back
to the Engine and presents to the presentation Services .
2. How we can extract sql from OBIEE for reports?
There are many ways to extract the sql:
a. Change the request and click Advanced in that you get xml code and also the actual sql.
b. In the catalog Manager click Tools-Create Report . In the Create Report Window > Click
Request SQL and save the sql to the physical path in your PC.
c. Enable Loglevel to 2 in the OBIEE 11g Administration Tool from Manage-> Security and
enable the log level to 2 by clicking properties for the user, then go to the NQQuery.log in
BI_HOME/OracleBI/Server/Logs.You will find the SQL for that User.
d. By clcking Administration->Manage sessions-> view sql.
3.How can you sort in Reports in OBIEE 11g?
Click on modify and then click on sort (order by icon) on the relevant column in the criteria
pane.
4.How we can do different types of narrative Reports in OBIEE?
By clicking modify request and Narrative View and by giving @1 for the first column result
and @2 for the 2nd column and so on and we can also give a heading for No Results by
clicking the Narrative view.
5.How will you create Interactive Dashboards ?
By clicking on Administration and Manage dashboards and by adding column selector we
can create interactive Dashboard.
6.What is write-back in obiee ?
We can give a column as updatable and then view the reports,this option is called write
back option.
7.How will you execute Direct SQL in OBIEE?
By clicking Direct Database Request below the subject area in we can execute Direct SQL
in OBIEE.
8.How OBIEE Developer can create report from two subject areas?
From the Criteria Pane of the Report Created from First Subject Area
come to the bottom of the page and click combine request. By this we can create report
from two subject areas.
9.How we can Port changes for dashboards, reports, rpd from development to production?
For the RPD we can use the Merge option in Admin Tool and for dashboards and reports we
can use Content Accelerator Framework.
10.What are the different types of variables in OBIEE 11g? explain

There are two types of variables in OBIEE 11g.

a. Repository variable:
This variable is used for the whole repository.
b. Session variable:
session variable are of two types: system variable and non system variable.
System variable uses NQ_SESSION. Examples of non system variables are user defined
filters.
11.How will you enable or disable caching in the system level and table level?
In the NQSConfig.ini file use ENABLE under CACHE Section for System Level
For tables, if we want to enable the cache at table level , open the repository in offline
mode This should be different from the current repository and click enable or disable the
cache .
12.How will you go about adding additional column to the repository in the presentation layer?
Check if the table is already existing if so add in physical layer ,then click on BMM and
then Presentation layer, then reload server metadata ,then it will be visible to all users.
13.How will effect the changes for a report , if for certain users only the column heading in the
report should be changed?
Using session variables for that user.
14.What is a table alias in OBIEE 11g? Where and how will you create it?
Table alias is used for creating self joins. Table alias can be created by right clicking the
table in the physical layer then click alias.
15.Have you created Hierarchy in OBIEE 11g. if so where and how?
Yes, we can create hierarchy in BMM Layer of OBIEE in dimensions for the dimension
tables. This can be done by right clicking the dimension table and click create dimension
and then we can manually define the hierarchy and its levels.
16.What is Level Based Metrics? How we can create it?
Level-base metrics means, having a measure held at a certain level of the dimension.
Examples Monthly Total Sales or Quarterly Sales
To create a level based measure, create a new logical column based on the original
measure .Drag and drop the new logical column to the appropriate level in the Dimension
hierarchy.
17.What are the different layers of OBIEE 11g Repository?
Physical Layer,
Business Model
Mapping Layer
Presentation Layer.
18.What is Authentication? How many types of authentication.
Authentication is the procedure by which a system confirms, through the use of a user
a. Operaing system authentication
b. External table authentication
c. Database authentication
d. LDAP authentication
19.What is a bridge table ?
If we want to connect two tables where there is no relationship we can use a thrid bridge
table for connecting them which will have same columns in both tables.
20.How Time based triggered report can be generated?
Using Scheduler ibots we can generate time based triggered report.
21.What is ibot?
Ibot is an arrangement agent, used to arrange reports to be sent across many devices
such as email, pager, mobile, other devices etc
22.What are different types of joins that are possible in OBIEE RPD?
1. Complex Join it uses multiple conditions, such as A.ROW_WID = B.ROW_WID AND / OR
A.A_WID = B.B_WID
2. Natural Join
23.How we can have two different columns from two different tables or subject areas?

Using confirmed dimensions,we can fetch many metrics across various facts, but the join
should be of same level of data detail.
24.How can we use saved filters and where we will save the filters?
Shared Folders-XYZ Folder- It have two folders
a. Prompts
b. Reports
25.Have you worked in dashboard? when we run a dashboard? how will we stop the dashboard
report run automatically?
By clicking on the cancel button, we can stop a exact report placed on the dashboard.
26.Define surrogate key.
A surrogate key is an artificially generated key, usually a number. A surrogate key, in the
level aggregate table, simplifies this join and removes unnecessary columns from the fact
table, resulting in a smaller-sized fact table.
27.Define repository in terms of Siebel Analytics.
1. Repository stores the Meta data information. Siebel repository is a file system ,extension
of the repository file. rpd.
META DATA REPOSITORY
2.With Siebel Analytics Server, all the rules needed for security, data modeling, aggregate
navigation, caching, and connectivity is stored in metadata repositories.
3.Every metadata repository can store many business models. Siebel Analytics Server can
access many repositories.
28.Explain the end to end life cycle of Siebel Analytics?
Siebel Analytics life cycle
1. Collect Business Requirements
2. Recognize source systems
3. Plan ETL to load to a DW if source data doesnt exist.
4. Build a repository
5. Build dashboard or use answers for reporting.
6. Define security
7. Based on performance, decide an aggregations and/or caching mechanism.
8. Testing and QA.
29.How does Siebel Architecture works? Explain the three layers.
There are five parts of Siebel Architecture.
1. Clients
2. data sorces
3. Siebel analytics Web Server data sorces
4. Siebel analytics scheduler
5. Siebel analytics server
o Metadata represents the analytical Model which is created using the siebel Analytics
Administration tool.
o Repository divided into three layer
1. Physical Signifies the data Sources
2. Business copies the Data sources into Facts And Dimension
3. Presentation Specifies the users view of the model ; rendered in Siebel answer.
30.If we have 3 facts and 4 dimension and we need to join would you recommend joining fact
with fact? If no than what is the option?
In the BMM layer,we can create one logical table (fact) and add the 3 fact table as logical
table source.
31.What is connection pool and how many connection pools did we have in our last project?
: connection pool is needed for each and every physical database.
o It contains material about the connection to the database, not the database itself.
o We can use either shared user accounts or pass-through accounts -Use: USER and
PASSWORD for pass through .
o We can have many connection pools for each group to avoid waiting
32.Define JDK and why do we need it?

Java Development Kit (JDK), is a software package that contains the minimal set of tools
needed to write, compile, debug, and run Java applets.
33.Oracle doesnt recommend Opaque Views because of performance considerations, so
why/when do we use them?
An opaque view is a physical layer table that contain select statement. An opaque view
should be used only if there is no other option.
34.Can we migrate the presentation layer to a different server.
No we cant migrate the presentation layer to a different server rather we have to migrate
the whole web & rpd files
35.How we can identify the dimension tables and how we can decide them during the
Business/Data modeling?
Dimension tables contain descriptions about data analysts which is used as query in the
database. Every table contains a primary key that contains one or more columns; each row
in a table is uniquely identified by its primary-key value or values
36.Why do we have multiple LTS in BMM layer?What is the purpose?
To improve the performance and query response time we have multiple LTS in BMM.
37.What is the full form of rpd?
There is no full form for rpd as such, it is just a repository file which is known as Rapidfile
Database.
38.How we can disable cache for only 2 particular tables?
We can disable cache in the physical layer, by right clicking on the table there we can
have the option which define cacheable
39.How we can split a table in the rpd given the condition. ( the condition given was Broker and
customer in the same table) Split Broker and customer.
We have to make a dubbed table in the physical layer.
40.What type of protocol did we use in SAS?
TCP/IP type protocol.
41.Can we have multiple data sources in Siebel Analytics?
Yes, we can have multiple data sources in Siebel Analytics.
42.How we can deal with case statement and expressions in siebel analytics?
By using expression builder we can create case statement whenthen.. end .
43.What do you know about Initialization Blocks?
o Init blocks are used for instantiating a session when a user logs in.
o To make dynamic variable we have to create IB to write sql statement.
44.Explain query repository tool?
o It is utility of OBIEE /Seibel Admin tool
o allows us to examine the repository metadata tool
o It Examine relationship between metadata objects like which column in the presentation
layer maps to which table in physical layer
o for example: search for objects based on name,type.
45.How can you bypass siebel analytics server security ?
It can by-passed by setting authententication type in NQSCONFIG file in the security
section as:authentication_type=bypass_nqs.instanceconfig.xml and nqsconfig.ini are the 2
places
46.Where we can add new groups and set permissions? Explain what is R?
We can add groups by going to manage>security>add new groups> We can give
permissions to a group for query limitation and filter conditions.
47.What are the things we can do in the BMM layer?
We can do Aggrigation navigation ,level base matrics, time series wizard, create new
logical column, comlex join.
48.Where are passwords for userid?
Passwords for userid are in siebel analytics server repository .
49.Define pipeline.
Pipelines are the stages in a particular contract, valuation, economics etc.
50.What are the Key Configuration Files in OBIEE?

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The key configuration files in OBIEE 11g are NQSConfig.ini, NQSCluster.ini, odbc.ini,
instanceconfig.xml
Give a brief introduction of OBIEE?
Oracle BI Enterprise Edition (sometimes simply referred to as Oracle Business Intelligence)
provides a full range of business intelligence capabilities that allow you to:
Collect up-to-date data from your organization
Present the data in easy-to-understand formats (such as tables and graphs)
Deliver data in a timely fashion to the employees in your organization
What Is the Oracle BI Presentation Catalog?
The Oracle BI Presentation Catalog stores the objects, such as analyses, dashboards, and
KPIs, that you and other users create using Oracle BI EE. Users have their own personal
folder (My Folders), where they can store the objects that they create. The objects in a
personal folder can be accessed only by the user who created and saved the content into
that folder. Users can add sub-folders to their personal folders to organize their content in
the way that is the most logical to them.
You can also store objects in shared folders where other users or groups can access the
objects. A combination of business logic security,catalog object security, and data level
security determines who has the ability to view data and objects, edit objects, and delete
objects from the catalog. Your administrator creates and maintains the catalogs shared
folder structure.
What is OBIEE 11G?
Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE) 11g is the most significant release
of OBIEE since 2006.
Explain the main features of OBIEE 11G?
Oracle Business Intelligence is now more integrate with the Oracle Fusion Middleware
software family.
Oracle WebLogic Server replaces Oracle Application Server and Oracle Containers for Java
(OC4J).
Oracle Business Intelligence 11g Installer replaces the installer that was used in previous
versions of Oracle Business Intelligence. It can perform software installation and
configuration steps in the same process or separately in their own processes
This release add the following administration command-line utilities:
Oracle WebLogic Server scripting tool (WLST) for managing the Oracle WebLogic Server
domain.
OPMN and the opmnctl commands for the Oracle Process Manager and Notification Server.
A database repository must be created before installation of the components with the
Repository Creation Utility (RCU) tool
Log centralization via the web log viewer
In addition, Oracle Business Intelligence is now deployed in a clustered configuration by
default. Because of this, the default ODBC DSN for the Oracle BI Server points to the
Cluster Controller by default, rather than to the Oracle BI Server
Explain Oracle Business Intelligence Applications?
An Oracle BI application consists of pre-built, industry-specific Oracl e BI interactive
dashboards and Oracle BI reports that are built using industry best practices and address
key functional areas within an organization. Oracle BI applications are integrated with
operational applications to provide business metrics in reports, in context with an
organizations business function and industry.
Oracle BI applications include Extract Transform Load (ETL) routines to extract, transform,
and load data into the Oracle Business Analytics Warehouse.
Security in Oracle BI:
OBIEE allows a high degree of control over access to elements in Oracle BI applications.
The security mechanism comprises Business logic object security, Presentation Catalog
object security and Data level security.
Drilling Down in Oracle BI:
In OBIEE, you can drill down from a dashboard or report to an actual item in the database.
For example, if you work in sales, you can drill down to the city level within a sales report,

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and observe that there is a large sale pending in Paris. If you are using an Oracle Siebel
operational application, you can then drill down on the pending sale and go directly to that
opportunity in the Oracle BI application.
Define repository in terms of OBIEE?
Repository stores the Meta data information.The extension of the repository file is
.rpd.With OBIEE Server, all the rules needed for security,data modeling, aggregate
navigation, caching, and connectivity is stored in metadata repositories. Each metadata
repository can store multiple business models. OBIEE Server can access multiple
repositories
Repository is divided into three layer,
Physical Represents the data Sources
Business model the Data sources into Facts and Dimension and apply business logic
Presentation Specifies the users view of the data rendered in OBIEE answers client
What is the end to end life cycle of OBIEE?
OBIEE life cycle:
Gather Business Requirements
Identify source systems
Design ETL to load data to the Data Warehouse
Build a repository
Build dashboards and reports
Define security (LDAP or External table)
Based on performance, decide on aggregations and/or caching mechanism.
Testing and QA.
What is the purpose of Alias Tables?
An Alias table is a physical table with the type of Alias. It is a reference to a physical table,
and inherits all its column definitions and some properties from the physical table. A
logical table source shows how the logical objects are mapped to the physical layer and
can be mapped to physical tables, stored procedures and select statements. An alias table
can be a reference to any of these logical table source types.
Alias Tables can be an important part of designing a physical layer. The following is a list of
the main reasons to create an alias table:
To reuse an existing table more than once in your physical layer (without having to
import it several times)
To set up multiple alias tables, each with different keys, names, or joins
To help you design sophisticated star or snowflake structures in the business model
layer. Alias tables are critical in the process of converting ER Schems to Dimensional
Sachems.
What is Authentication? How many types of authentication do we have in OBIEE?
Authentication is the process by which a system verifies a user with the help of a user ID
and password. It checks if user has the necessary permissions and authorizations to log in
and access data. There are 4 main types of Authentication in OBIEE:
Operating system authentication
External table authentication
Database authentication
LDAP authentication
What is aggregate navigation? How do you configure the Aggregate tables in OBIEE?
Aggregate tables store pre-computed results, which are measures that have been
aggregated (typically summed) over a set of dimensional attributes. Using aggregate
tables is a very popular technique for speeding up query response times in decision
support systems.
Ex: If you observe that most of the queries are fired on aggregated values like yearly or
monthly data rather that day level data then to speed up the report we can create an
aggregate table containing month level and year level data and map it to the respective
logical table and set the aggregation levels in the content tab of LTS.
Difference between a session and repo variable?

Session variables are similar to dynamic repository variables in that they obtain their
values from initialization blocks. Unlike dynamic repository variables, however, the
initialization of session variables is not scheduled. When a user begins a session, the
Oracle BI Server creates new instances of session variables and initializes them.
A repository variable has a single value at any point in time. Repository variables can be
used instead of literals or constants in Expression Builder in the Administration Tool.
The Oracle BI Server substitutes the value of the repository variable for the variable itself
in the metadata.
Unlike a repository variable, there are as many instances of a session variable as there are
active sessions on the Oracle BI Server. Each instance of a session variable could be
initialized to a different value.
62. What kind of sources can be connected to OBIee?
OBIee can be plugged on Relational Databases, Cubes or Flat files, with the following
constraints :
The sources must be modeled as star schemas or snowflakes schemas in order to have
an efficient and safe behavior.
In case of multiple sources directly in OBIee used together, be aware that OBIee will
conduct the needed joins itself, and OBIee is not a database.
Question.1 What is single LTS and multiple LTS?
Answer: The logical table created at the BMM layer can be based on the data from a single
physical layer table, when it is called single Logical Table source. When the specific logical layer
table is dependent on the columns of different physical layer tables, it is called Multiple LTS. Most
of the time we will be dealing with Multiple LTS.
Question.2 If we have 5 different dimension tables and we need to have hierarchies for only one
table, is it mandatory to have hierarchies implemented for all the tables?
Answer: No, it is not mandatory to create the hierarchies for all the tables, we can just define
hierarchies to those tables that need to have it.[sociallocker]
Question.3 How is the Query repository tool used?
Answer: The Query repository tool gives the option to search and analyse the data from the
database according to the name, type and other attributes that are describing the database.
The relationship between the different view layer data and the corresponding the physical layer
columns.
Question.4 What are opaque views in database? When is it advisable to create one?
Answer: The opaque views are tables that are created with join or other query data that contain
SELECT query output. The opaque views make the logical understanding simple for
implementation but there are heavy performance constraints. They are only used when there is
no other way to get to the final solution.
Question.5 How does the user of Aggregate tables help you in speeding up query responses?
How is Siebel Analytics Server advantageous in this aspect?

Answer: The Aggregate tables are the ones that get values initialized in them as and when the
related fields in the other tables get updated. This type of automatic updates to frequently used
measures help you in speeding up the queries. If there is a column for number of products
produced for every month and you often want to have the summation of the number per year
and average for every year often for all the queries, the aggregate table created will have the
option to give you that value without computations every time. Siebel Analytics server gives the
added advantage that the queries need not be aware of the readily available aggregate table
names. If this was the case the SQL queries and the entire design might become complex.
Question.6 What is an implicit fact column?
Answer: The implicit fact column is the one that is created due to the join, combinations from
the different data or columns from the different tables. There may not be the exact data in form
of the column in the result or even in the physical layer of database. These are implied from
different data and can just be a temporary layer which help us in getting the required result.
Question.7 How can you map each of the reports across to the different tables that are being
accessed?
Answer: The Admin tool has the Manage Sessions tab which gives you the access to the logs
that are being generated for each session.After the report generation sessions, you can easily
view the log to map each requests to the corresponding tables and databases.
Question.8 How can you migrate the presentation layers across to different servers?
Answer: The presentation layer is dependent on the database that is underlying in the each
server. Therefore the presentation layer alone cannot be migrated as a stand-alone aspect of the
database. What we can do instead is have a ODBC or similar database connection established
across from the different servers to the particular main system and then carry over the
presentation semantics from the other server with that database oriented changes in the logic
layer.
Question.9 How will you impose access limitation to the database according to the region of
access?
Answer:

The Data level security imposed according to data in certain column can be used to limit
access depending on the regions.

The Siebel Analytics admin tool will give you the control over user access to the different
data according to conditions supplied by you.
Question.10 Which is preferable? Creating the new logical column in the repository level or the
Dashboard level of view?

Answer: Creation of the logical column on the higher level of dashboard will have effect on the
tables only on that view level and not on the other dashboards and other requests. The logical
columns created on the repository level will in turn gets its effect on all the other requests and
reports from different view levels. So it is always preferable to have the logical column created at
the repository level.
Question.11 What are the different deployment cases for the Siebel Analytics server?
Answer: The Siebel Analytics server can be deployed as a stand alone system or can be
deployed as an integrated server which interfaces and communicates to the different Analytics
server.
Question.12 What are the External table based and LDAP based security?
Answer: The user ID and password need not be stored in the repository of the Siebel Analytics
server. The external tables and LDAP offer the other possibilites. The userID and password for
user authentication are stored in the external table. The information on different tables and the
access information for each user are stored in this external table. The other way is the
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. This is similar to imposing a access limitation to all the
different directories and folders thereby having the limitations to the data viewable for the
different users.
Question.13 Differentiate Object level security against the Data level security.
Answer:

The Object level security is a higher level of security that allows/disallows the access for
user to specific table, row or column according to his access level. The Data level security level is
about restrictions that are concerned about the different data that are used to generate the
report of other view level information.

The Object level of security are permissions corresponding to the objects in the database
(like database reports, dashboards, folders etc) and such permissions are set in the view level,
logical level or data level. The Data level security mostly set in the database level and related
logic table level.

Question.14 What are the various levels of access authentications?

Answer: There are four levels of authentication that can restrict access to the different tables
and databases:
Operating level authentication: This is the overall higher level access restriction to the
application. Without this one cannot get access to the application.

Table authentication: The table level authentication is the access permissions set for each
physical table.
Database authentication: The Database user and password, corresponding previleges can let
someone to access specific db or can just give him only partial access. This authentication is the
main thing for the application that coordinates different databases. LDAP authentication.
Question.15 What are the different types of caching?
Answer: The cache management can be done in three different ways:

Cache disabled: The NQConfig.INI file has the ENABLE parameter that can be set to NO. This
disables the cache for the server. After the change the server needs a restart. The disable cache
will prevent any queries to use/update cache. This may lead to slower performances, but will be
useful in the case of lesser accesses that are being expected. Enabling of the cache will not be
concerned about the cache updates and synchronization.

Caching set for each physical table: The admin tool has the option Make cache-abble for
the tables. You can click that and go into the general settings. This has the cache persistence in
the option. This will make the queries to and fro from the physical table to use the cache. This
can also be set according to specific time interval. This will help you in getting a good interactive
response on the view layer. Any table that is frequently updated can have this setting on for
reasonable amount of time.

Event Polling data: The event polling data table keeps track of the different updates that are
done on the different tables. The application is going to updated this event polling table for each
query of update into the physical table. This stand-alone table can get the required frequency
statistics for each table to maintain the cache policies as required.
Question.16 What are two main categories of variables overall?
Answer: There are two types of variables, namely the session variables and the repository
variables. The session variables are pertaining to each session that is created for every login of a
user. They may be System or Non-system variables.
The repository variables are the ones that are specific to a repository/database. The repository
variables contain the parameters that are corresponding to different attributes of the respository
and queries. They are again classified as static and dynamic variables. The static variables are
the ones that are having permanent values through out. The administrator can change it
whenever needed. The dynamic variables are the ones that have values that are corresponding
to the SQL queries and data fetches. The dynamic variables can take up values depending on the
scheduled updates that are started by the administrator. They can also take up values fue to the
SQL queries that have been recently executed from the user side. Initialization blocks run at
specific time or triggered according to specific condition.

Question.17 What are the different types of session variables that you are aware of?
Answer: There are 2 different types of variables that we deal with in the Siebel architecture:

System variables: The system variables are the ones that are used by the analytics server
and web to manage and coordinate the sessions and related data. Such names cannot be used
for non system variables or other repository variables. You can try naming such variables with a
prefix to identify their nature and content. This will make it easier for classification within each
session.

Non-System variables- The non system variables are always used to have user-defined
aspects of data stored at a specific place. If you have a data called numberOfPersons in a
specific data from the user space, you can then use this to classify the entire database according
to the numberOfPersons etc.
When using the variables from the Analytics Webserver, you can just prefix the variable name
with NQ_SESSION.(Varaiblename) to narrow down the scope to the present session.
Question.18 How can you use the Siebel variables to cope up with dynamic data environments?
Answer: The Siebel variable are the storage parameters that we can link within the metadata
and other configuration parameters in the Siebel. With the help of the variable manager, all the
confguration parameters can be loaded into the specific variable depending upon the different
environments we are trying to have. This can help us in making the administrative tasks simpler.
Question.19 How do you set the logging level as an administrator in Siebel?
Answer: The Siebel Analytics Sever has the Security configuration in the Manage section of the
admin tool. This dialog box has the settings for each user id. Click the specific user id. You can
then get the logging level selection inside this settings. You can choose the appropriate level and
save the changes. [/sociallocker]