A reproducible but unexplained bug: Oracle ASM behaves incorrectly when presented with 4k physical / 512-byte logical sector devices on the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel.
Category: Databases
Databases are the systems of record at the centre of the enterprise. They exist to ensure correctness, durability, and control over critical data.
For decades, they have been optimised around human interaction – predictable query patterns, bounded concurrency, and clear operational ownership.
That assumption is now under pressure. As AI systems begin to interact directly with data, the database remains the point of truth… but the way it is accessed is starting to change.
AWR Generator
A script that automates the generation of multiple consecutive Oracle AWR reports – useful for profiling database performance across time without manual intervention.
Engineered Systems – An Alternative View
Everyone in enterprise IT is selling "engineered systems". Here's an independent assessment of what the term actually means and whether the integrated appliance model lives up to its promises.
Database Workload Theory
Before you can benchmark or optimise a database, you need a model of what a database workload actually is. Here's the theoretical foundation – and why it matters more than most DBAs realise.
Auto DOP with High Performance Storage
Oracle's Automatic Degree of Parallelism assumes storage is slow. On flash, those assumptions break down – here's what happens to Auto DOP behaviour when you remove the I/O bottleneck.
The Ultimate Guide To Oracle Support
Understanding how Oracle Support is structured and incentivised helps you get better outcomes from it. Here's a frank guide to working with Oracle Support effectively.
Why In-Memory Computing Needs Flash
Running everything in memory sounds like it makes storage irrelevant. It doesn't – flash is what enables in-memory architectures to reach their full potential, for three distinct reasons.
More on Exadata X3 “Database In-Memory” (but not by me)
Not a real post - but a recommendation... Kevin Closson, former Performance Architect within Oracle's Exadata development organisation, has (finally!) written a blog post about the new Exadata X3 model with it's claimed "Database In-Memory" marketing title. For the history of Exadata click here. But more importantly, for the insider view, click here: Oracle Exadata … Continue reading More on Exadata X3 “Database In-Memory” (but not by me)
Technology Hype Cycles
Every technology goes through a hype cycle – and the pattern is so predictable that you can use it to calibrate vendor claims. Here's how to read the cycle and keep your scepticism well-tuned.
SLOB using Violin 6616 on Fujitsu Servers
I've been too busy to blog recently, which is frustrating because I want to talk more about subjects that are important to me such as Database Virtualization and the great hype around In Memory Databases. However, in the meantime I'd like to share some results from running SLOB (the Silly Little Oracle Benchmark) on Violin … Continue reading SLOB using Violin 6616 on Fujitsu Servers
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