We’ve had a few weeks to play around with the ODA in our office, and I’ve been able to crack it open and get to into the software and hardware that powers it. For starters, the system runs a new model of Sun Fire – the X4370 M2. The 4U chassis is basically 2 separate… Read More »
Oracle has announced a new product, the “Oracle Database Appliance,” or ODA (pronounced oh-duh) as I like to call it. Enkitec has been fortunate enough to get our hands on a test box. Be sure to check out my post on a deep dive (LINK GOES HERE) inside the ODA. The gist of the ODA… Read More »
I’ll be presenting at OpenWorld this year with Cristobal Pedregal-Martin from Oracle. Our session is titled “How to Best Configure, Size, and Monitor the Oracle Database Fast Recovery Area.” While it may be an afterthought for many DBAs, it is something that requires some planning, especially on Exadata environments. Cris will be speaking on guidelines… Read More »
One of the common refrains regarding Exadata storage is that there’s no real capacity for adding storage as your database grows. The routine was always to let the storage guys dole out storage as needed, keeping tight reins on where their precious gigabytes (now terabytes) went. When a database outgrew the storage it was allocated,… Read More »
If you’ve run into the problem where you’re running out of space on your Exadata system, relief is on the way. Oracle has announced the Exadata Storage Expansion Rack. It comes in 3 handy sizes, just like your Exadata: Quarter, Half, and Full. They’ve taken out the database servers and left the remaining guts inside… Read More »
I was involved in an interesting Exadata installation last week. We have a client that wanted a half rack Exadata spit into 2 quarter racks to separate development and production. The best part was that we were doing this from the factory image, without the use of Oracle’s ACS. Normally, a standard Exadata installation can… Read More »
I’ve been asked to participate in the Exadata Virtual Conference organized by Tanel Poder that is being held August 3&4. I’ll be speaking about something near and dear to my heart, Exadata patching! Patching Exadata can be a scary proposition, considering that one patch touches Exadata storage application code, provides OS and kernel updates, and even flash… Read More »
Having done a handful of Exadata implementations, there’s always been one piece of the configuration that’s bothered me more than anything else. In the process of ordering an Exadata, Oracle sends the customer a “Configuration Worksheet” that asks questions about how the system should be configured. It’s standard stuff: hostnames, DNS and NTP servers, UID… Read More »
I’ve been talking about starting a blog for a while, and what better to start it with than pictures of “The Great Beast,” or “Sasquatch.” He’s more commonly known as the Exadata X2-8. It’s one of the first in the area, and I had the opportunity to sit in on the installation/setup. I’ve got a… Read More »