Oracle (11g) on Solaris X86 - bad move?

We are developing a new system based on the Solaris X86 chip (performance is key) and I am becoming increasing concerned about the lack of support from Oracle for that platform. The chipset and o/s is a customer choice and as far as I am aware is non-negotiable  

11g is still not available for it. It has been available on Sparc for at least 6 weeks and almost every other flavor of Unix for as long if not much longer

Patch 10.2.0.3 is not available for X86 and yet has been available for Sparc for months

Note 335063.1 - Installing 10gr2 Change Permissions On Oracle Home which advises the installation of patch 4516865. This was released for Sparc in April 2006 but is not available for X86 as yet (and I am certain it is still required).  

I would have though that X86 would be quite a major platform for Oracle, although I have no idea on relative sales percentages. I am aware that Sun did a bit of a u-turn a couple of years ago and said that that would not be releasing Solaris 10 on X86, later on reversing that policy. That might have sent out a signal to developers and ISVs.  

It is also true to say that we have had a major change with the addition of Linux in recent years and Oracle now releasing first for Linux as opposed to Sun which was the case many years ago.  

I am looking to push 11g when it is available as we will not be live for at least one year, however I am starting to wonder how risky that is on our chosen platform. Will bug-fixing and patching be acceptable and will the level of take-up in the marketplace ensure that sufficient bug-finding and testing takes place.  

I would be pleased to hear thoughts on the subject  

John  

+44 (0)113 223 2274 (direct)

+44 (0)113 297 9797
 

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