Managing Oracle Cloud services across multiple environments presents unique monitoring challenges that generic solutions can’t address effectively. Oracle Pulse streamlines the complex task of monitoring Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, providing administrators with real-time visibility into critical operational areas and improving performance across the enterprise landscape.
This article explores the key features, implementation requirements, and practical applications of the Oracle Pulse platform for Oracle Cloud administrators. You’ll discover how this tailored monitoring service can enhance operational efficiency while simplifying the complexity of large-scale cloud deployments.
What is Oracle Pulse?
Oracle Pulse is a comprehensive monitoring service designed for administrators to track Oracle Cloud service performance across multiple environments. The platform provides real-time visibility into critical areas, including availability, storage capacity, incident management, and change management operations.
Oracle Pulse integrates with My Oracle Support (MOS) accounts to deliver centralized monitoring capabilities for all Oracle services. The service enhances operational efficiency by providing unified dashboards for tracking cloud infrastructure health and performance metrics.
Built on ITIL service delivery principles, Oracle Pulse serves as a single source of truth for all Oracle Managed Cloud Services. The platform enables organizations to access a consolidated view of their cloud estate from desktops, tablets, or smartphones through responsive web interfaces and dedicated mobile applications. Here are a few key capabilities:
- Real-time service performance monitoring
- Centralized incident and change management
- Comprehensive availability tracking
- Storage utilization analysis
- Integration with Oracle Enterprise Manager
- Multi-device accessibility
Getting Started with Oracle Pulse
System Requirements and Browser Support
Oracle Pulse supports Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari for both desktop and mobile devices. Browser compatibility follows the N-1 policy, supporting both the current and the previous version of browsers.
iPad users require Apple iOS 7 or higher for optimal Oracle Pulse app performance. First-generation iPads can access Oracle Pulse through supported web browsers as an alternative.
| Device Type | Requirements | Access Method |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop | Supported browsers (N-1 policy) | Web browser |
| iPad | iOS 7+ | Dedicated app or browser |
| Mobile | Supported browsers | Web browser |
| First-gen iPad | Any supported browser | Web browser only |
Accessing Oracle Pulse on Different Devices
Download the Oracle Pulse app from the Apple App Store for iPad users and sign in with SSO credentials. Access Oracle Pulse via web browsers on desktop and mobile devices by navigating to the Oracle Pulse webpage.
Use the “Use Sample Data” option to explore demo service information before connecting live environments. Accept the End User License Agreement during first-time sign-in to complete account setup.
The implementation process ensures secure access while maintaining functionality across various platforms, making it easier for administrators to track Oracle Cloud service performance regardless of their location or device preference.
Oracle Pulse Dashboard Features
The Pulse Dashboard offers a comprehensive analysis of service performance, featuring clickable metrics that lead to detailed table views. This centralized interface serves as the primary tool for monitoring and analyzing Oracle Cloud Service performance in areas such as availability, storage, incident management, and change management across various environments.
Customer-level dashboards display health metrics for all services, including Calendar, Availability, Storage, and Transactions. Service-level dashboards present key metrics for individual services, with navigation to Availability, Storage, Transactions, Self-Healing, Incidents, and Changes.
Dashboard layouts utilize KPIs, tables, and charts to visualize service health data in both graphical and tabular formats. These sections explain the core functionality that enables administrators to maintain operational oversight.
Navigation and User Interface
Navigate to Service Level by using the main navigation menu to select a specific service for detailed monitoring. Access environment-specific information, including Availability, Storage, Business Transaction Monitoring, and Change Request data, across the user interface.
Utilize the Oracle Pulse user interface controls, including ‘What is New‘ for help, ‘About Oracle Pulse‘ for licensing, and ‘Sign Out‘ for secure logout. Switch between chart and table views using toggle options to optimize your data visualization preferences.
The interface design emphasizes usability and accessibility, allowing users to efficiently monitor multiple environments while maintaining detailed visibility into individual service metrics.
Performance Monitoring and Metrics
Oracle Pulse tracks host metrics, including CPU usage in SYSTEM and USER modes, memory utilization, page reads, and active process counts. Database metrics encompass logons, request response times, SQL Net bytes transferred, data blocks written, resource utilization, logical reads, and memory consumption.
The Performance Dashboard at the Customer Level provides system load monitoring and activity tracking using Oracle Enterprise Manager data integration. Real-time metrics help administrators identify performance bottlenecks and optimize Oracle Cloud service operations.
The monitoring capabilities extend beyond basic availability tracking to include:
- Host Performance: CPU utilization patterns, memory consumption, disk I/O metrics
- Database Operations: Transaction volumes, response times, resource allocation
- Network Activity: Data transfer rates, connection metrics, throughput analysis
- Storage Metrics: Capacity utilization, growth trends, performance indicators
Configuration and Environment Management
The Configuration page displays comprehensive details of services, environments, and associated hosts within your Oracle infrastructure. The search functionality enables administrators to locate specific services, environments, or hosts using partial string matching capabilities.
Environment details include type classification, availability dates, lifecycle stages, and complete host associations. From Pulse release 20.3 onwards, view real-time information about environments currently being provisioned.
Service Groups and Organizations
Create custom service groups using the My Services feature to focus monitoring on specific business-critical services. Generate tailored Oracle Pulse reports aligned with your line of business requirements through service group configurations.
Edit existing service groups by adding or removing services through the My Services interface. Service group settings persist across login sessions until manually modified or deleted by administrators. This organizational capability allows for:
- Customized monitoring scopes
- Business-aligned reporting structures
- Simplified navigation for specific service portfolios
- Enhanced focus on critical infrastructure components
Notifications and Reporting
The notifications page displays active and historical alerts covering 30 days of service activity across your organization. Alert types include software releases, planned outages, maintenance windows, required user actions, and essential communications.
Filter notifications by Active or Historical status with detailed event descriptions and creation timestamps. Oracle Pulse reports default to specific periods with options to customize using page or widget time selectors. The notification system ensures administrators stay informed about:
- Planned maintenance activities
- System upgrades and patches
- Security advisories
- Performance alerts
- Change implementation schedules
Data Export and Analysis
Export monitoring data from table views in multiple formats, including PDF, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint presentations. Business Insight reports are exported exclusively in Excel format for enhanced data analysis capabilities.
Sort table columns by clicking the header arrows to organize records in ascending or descending order. Customize chart displays using the ‘My Charts‘ feature for Availability, Incidents, Changes, and Storage dashboards. This flexibility supports various reporting requirements and enables integration with existing business intelligence tools and processes.
User Management and Access Control
Customer User Administrator roles manage contacts and host access roles for specific OCI services through the Users menu. Granular access control enables management of specific OCI services or instances through Oracle Identity Management integration.
View, create, edit, or delete customer and Oracle contacts with comprehensive user role management capabilities. Contact management includes approval authority scopes and role-based access control for enhanced security. The access control framework supports:
| Access Level | Capabilities | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Read-Only | View dashboards and reports | Monitoring staff, executives |
| Service Admin | Manage specific OCI services | Application administrators |
| Customer User Administrator | Full user and contact management | IT managers, security teams |
| Oracle Support | Technical assistance and troubleshooting | Oracle affiliates and support staff |
This granular approach ensures that users have appropriate access levels while maintaining security and operational control across the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
Oracle Pulse integrates seamlessly with existing Oracle Identity Management systems, enabling organizations to leverage established authentication and authorization frameworks while extending monitoring capabilities to OCI customers and internal teams. The platform’s comprehensive user management functionality supports large-scale deployments where multiple teams require different levels of access to monitoring data and administrative functions.
Implementation Best Practices
Successful Oracle Pulse implementation requires careful planning and adherence to established best practices. Start by identifying key stakeholders who will use the monitoring service and determining their specific requirements for visibility and access control.
Establish service groups that align with your organizational structure and business priorities. This approach enables teams to focus on relevant services while maintaining comprehensive oversight of the entire Oracle Cloud infrastructure.
Regularly reviewing notifications and performance metrics enables proactive incident management and helps prevent service disruptions. Configure appropriate alert thresholds and notification preferences to strike a balance between comprehensive monitoring and manageable alert volumes.
Consider integrating Oracle Pulse data with existing reporting tools and dashboards to create a unified view of IT operations. This integration enhances the value of monitoring data and supports informed decision-making across the organization.
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