Oracle Exadata X5: The Road To Ten Billion Dollars

Now that the dust has settled on the announcement of Oracle's new Exadata X5 Database Machine, I've been doing some research in order to update my History of Exadata post (it'll be ready soon). While reviewing the datasheets and other collateral for the X5 I was struck by the meteoric increase in one particular statistic: the … Continue reading Oracle Exadata X5: The Road To Ten Billion Dollars →

Oracle Exadata X4 (Part 2): The All Flash Database Machine?

With the X4's flash capacity changes examined, this post asks the harder question: is Oracle quietly turning Exadata into an all-flash array – and what would that mean for pricing?

Oracle Exadata X4 (Part 1): Bigger Than It Looks?

The Exadata X4 announcement looked like a routine spec bump – but a closer reading of Oracle's positioning reveals something more significant about where the product is heading.

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.

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) →

In Memory Databases: HANA, Exadata X3 and Flash Memory (Part 2)

With definitions established, this post examines where HANA, Exadata X3 and flash memory each sit in the in-memory landscape – and what they actually have in common.

Thoughts on In Memory Databases (Part 1)

Everyone is talking about in-memory databases, but what does "memory" actually mean in this context? Here's an attempt to cut through the hype and establish some clear definitions.

Exadata X3 – Sound The Trumpets

It's crazy time in the world of Oracle, because Oracle OpenWorld 2012 is only a week away. Which means that between now and then the world of Oracle blogging and tweeting will gradually reach fever pitch speculating on the various announcements that will be issued, products that will be launched and outrageous claims that will … Continue reading Exadata X3 – Sound The Trumpets →

Exadata Roadmap Preview

Last week, Andrew Mendelsohn gave a talk at the Enkitec Extreme Exadata Expo ("E4") run in Texas by those excellent guys at Enkitec. Andrew is the SVP of Oracle's Database Server Technologies group, so it's fair to say he has his finger on the pulse of the Oracle roadmap for Exadata. Big thanks to Frits Hoogland … Continue reading Exadata Roadmap Preview →

The Strategic Platform for ALL Database Workloads

Oracle's "strategic platform for all workloads" claim deserves scrutiny. Here's an independent assessment of what that really means – and where the gaps are.