Re: multi-national development environment

Hi Raven

Interesting problem, more architecture / network / cost than strictly Oracle. But here goes;

Firstly it is important to know details of which tools/applications your developers are using and how often plus what skills they have. Also worth knowing what your current database server platform is (ie NT/2000 or Unix or something else?). In addition important to know what applications will be using the database and how efficient they are WRT network (extreme example, select * from table into array versus proper cursor management).

If you have a unix server and unix savvy developers who are happy at the unix and sqlplus prompts then you would probably want to centralise as telnet / ssh traffic over a WAN/VPN is fine and you will benefit from centralising your licenses and system management.

Lets assume not (ie Windows server and/or Windows / GUI developers);

As a general rule, large amounts of database <-> application SQL traffic over a WAN is a bad idea. A VPN implies encryption of this traffic which will slow it down still further.

With regard to remote desktop solutions, having used PC Anywhere and VNC before, they have certainly improved their use of bandwidth. Citrix is very efficient in its use of bandwidth so you should certainly look into this, have seen this used very successfully (even over a GSM phone). One thing to be carefull with Citrix is that sometimes it can get bullied when sharing with other protocols on a WAN, there are solutions to this too. Also some applications do not work happily in this environment (Quest's Spotlight being one example that springs to mind), so make sure you test the tools you will be using on Citrix before you sign the cheque.

Basically it will come down to cost and a little more knowledge of your environment.

Distributed costs;
- more oracle server licenses (ensure you are aware of the user license minimums per installation)
- more machines
- more systems management work (don't underestimate this! - ie who will perform dba, system admin functions at each site, who will look after any replication issues, upgrades need to be performed multiple times etc.)

Centralised costs;
- possible additional software (eg Citrix) - may need to upgrade wan links or look at whether your VPN performance could be improved
- may need to make application more efficient in its use of the database

Suggest you have a look on the net at the citrix / network newsgroups. Remember that Application Service Provision (ASP) has taken off (even Oracle themselves offer it for their apps) and there are lots of solutions to address secure application hosting over a WAN (such as the Internet).

HTH KJP The Raven wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I hope this is the right place to ask the following, if not I apologise.
> Please feel free to recommend a more appropriate forum.
>
> Firstly, I'm not an IT or Oracle guru just the bunny who's been given this
> problem to manage. I'm trying to sort out a problem involving setting up a
> development environment that spans several countries. So far the internal
> "expert" opinion differs and is dubious in both it's accuracy and political
> bias.
>
> What I'd like to know is, after reading the info below, what are other
> organisations doing and what would you recommend? Remember I'm seeking a
> direction/solution but won't be the one who implements it so, all I need is
> enough techno-babble to understand the options and how to propose them to
> the techies.
>
> A development environment exists on a network in one country. Developers are
> using standard Oracle tools with Sourcesafe etc thrown in.
>
> Developers are required for some local projects, elsewhere in the world, and
> they need access to the central development environment across the internet.
>
> At present, there are only one or two "foreign" developers (both in separate
> countries) and they are obtaining access via PC Anywhere into a host
> workstation at the central location. Due to time differences there is no
> overlap but the speed is somewhat slow. I'm advised that part of the speed
> problem (ignoring typical internet issues) is related to the technology in
> PC Anywhere.
>
> One foreign site is going to have multiple developers wanting to access the
> central environment. A VPN is being established for that office and it
> is/was envisaged that this would be used by these foreign developers to
> access the central location.
>
> Obviously a VPN type environment is going to require additional Oracle
> licenses and will generate more network traffic than PC Anywhere. However,
> it's reported that the VPN will be 20 times slower than PC Anywhere (which I
> seriously doubt) and that PC Anywhere should be retained method. Of course,
> this would required additional PC Anywhere hosts at the central location.
>
> Another option has been suggested in the form of separate development
> environment at each site using some form of replication/mirroring to do
> configuration management across all sites. This is probably more expensive
> but would give the best balance of performance/productivity.
>
> So, I'm told there are three options:
>
> 1. PC Anywhere to the central environment. Somewhat slow and requires
> multiple host workstations (effectively requiring 2 PC for each foreign
> developer - 1 local & 1 central).
>
> 2. VPN to central environment. Supposedly traffic intensive to the point of
> being useless and, requires some licenses at the foreign end.
>
> 3. Mirrored/Replicated development environments at each site. Unknown if its
> possible but can't see why not. Probably the most expensive solution. Are
> there issues for software configuration management.
>
> Any other options and what are your thoughts?
>
> Oh, at the risk of showing my ignorance, would Citrix be something worth
> considering?
>
>
>
> Regards
>
> The Raven
>
>
Received on Sun Dec 01 2002 - 19:14:02 CST