As Published In July/August 2004

Oracle and Linux Notes
By David A. Kelly

Linux Performance Improves
Although more and more people are thinking of Linux as a low-cost, highly reliable, highly scalable infrastructure option, its performance capabilities are more compelling than ever. In fact, in April 2004, Oracle announced that it had set a world-record TPC-C performance benchmark result for Oracle Database 10g running on Linux-based SMPs. The system, composed of an NEC Express5800/1320Xd with 32 Intel 1.5GHz Itanium 2 processors, was running Novell's SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9, achieving a record-setting 609,467 tpmC (transactions per minute) with a price/performance ratio of $6.78/tpmC.

Linux also showed its strength in conjunction with Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC), achieving record-breaking performance in the data warehousing category. Attaining 22,387.9 QphH@3000BG, Linux and Oracle Database 10g with RAC obtained a price/performance ratio of $93/QphH@3000GB, demonstrating that Linux can deliver in high-performance query processing applications on small, low-cost clustered servers.

Oracle Provides Linux Support
So committed to the success of the Linux operating system is Oracle that it offers its customers complete technical support for the Linux operating system in addition to support for the Oracle stack. The following distributions are certified and supported by Oracle:

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS/ES
• Novell/SuSE SLES 8 and future versions
• UnitedLinux 1.0 (Oracle will continue to provide customer support for it throughout its lifecycle, on all the existing Oracle products that are already supported on UnitedLinux)
• Red Flag DC Server (China only)
• Miracle Linux Standard Edition (Japan only)

Customers running Oracle products on these distributions should turn to Oracle for support if they have an issue that prevents the smooth operation of their Oracle implementation. Oracle will diagnose the issue and work with the OS partner for those cases in which the operating system is suspected of causing the issue. For issues of a critical nature (P1), Oracle will provide a fix to the customer regardless of the source of the problem. For additional support issues, Oracle will collaborate with the OS partner so the customer issue can be resolved jointly.

Around the World with Linux
Linux isn't just a U.S. and European phenomenon. It's also taking root around the world, with significant penetration recently in Asia. For example, Red Flag Software and Miracle Linux Corporation recently announced the completion of a beta version of Asianux 1.0, the first standardized Linux OS for Asian businesses. Both Red Flag and Miracle Linux will share Asianux's kernel, providing a way for customers to select either distribution without having to worry about validation.

Oracle is also supporting the use of Linux in Asia by certifying its entire suite of software solutions on Asianux 1.0, enabling businesses to receive full joint technical support for all of Oracle's latest offerings on Asianux. Oracle has also established a development center in Shenzhen, China, as well as one in Beijing, to provide immediate access for Chinese customers to Oracle solutions.