Re: Need help on hardware for Oracle Server

Michael Cello wrote:
> I am relatively new to Oracle and am assigned to determine the spec for a
> few servers to house Oracle databases. I need your help in shedding a light
> on the factors involved in making a wise decision for the features and specs
> of the servers.
>
> If there are some literature that addresses such concerns and contain
> guidelines on this subject, please let me know.
>
> I appreciate your help in this matter.

My immediate recommendation is that you are far more likely to make an expensive mistake than to get it right so consider hiring a reputable consultant to review what you do. Here is a short-list of considerations.

1. How many connected users?
2. How many active connected users?
3. Transaction rate?
4. Transaction size (bytes)?
5. Service Level Agreement (SLA) with system's customers
6. Security requirement based on data stored
7. OLTP or Data Warehousing?
8. One or more instances per server?
9. COTS (Commercial Off-The Shelf) or in-house application?

Focusing on the servers is a near guarantee of disappointment. What is your storage strategy? Going to RAC in the future? What is your network topology? Going to RAC in the future? How about replication with Streams or DataGuard? Backing up to what? Holding archived redo logs? For how long? How about a Flash Recovery Area?

Depending on where you are I might be able to recommend a resource in your area if you contact me off-line.

-- 
Daniel A. Morgan
http://www.psoug.org
damorgan_at_x.washington.edu
(replace x with u to respond)