Re: Sun vs. Intel

Gary Delong wrote:

> Don't want to start a war, but management here read the
> recent Business Week article about using Dell servers
> to replace Sun servers and saving "Big Bucks". As the
> Unix admin, I've been asked to comment, but lack any
> real feel for the Oracle on Intel environment.
>
> We currently have Oracle 8i running on a 6 CPU E3500
> w/Solaris 8 and a database of about 80GB. It serves a
> couple of frontend NT boxes and often sees 300 to 400
> oracle processes.
>
> Since I'm a Unix/Sun guy, I'm obviously a little biased,
> but willing to listen anyone who can expound on the pros
> and cons of making this type of move.
>
> I appreceate your thoughts.
>
> Thanks much,
> --Gary
>
> email gdelong at conversent dot com

From the standpoint of years of experience working with NT, W2K, Sun, HP/UX, etc. I would go to Intel architecture, and definitely Windows, only as a last resort before returning to DOS.

It is less stable (even with the latest patch sets) It is less secure
It is far less scalable
And you can't leverage a 64bit implementation onto one with a hammer and a chisel.

Ask your management to indicate the importance of them of the following things on a scale of 1 to 10.

1. Security
2. Stability
3. Scalability
4. Spending money retraining existing personel (an expense) vs spending money on hardware (a fixed asset that can be depreciated on their taxes)

Daniel Morgan Received on Fri Nov 22 2002 - 15:24:34 CST