Re: multi-national development environment

"KevJohnP" <nospam_at_nowhere.com> wrote in message news:3DEAB3DA.3060100_at_nowhere.com...
> 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.

Developers are using Forms, Designer, and Developer. Sourcesafe as well.

 The developers are fairly well skilled (several years experience with the application and tools).

> Also
> worth knowing what your current database server platform is (ie NT/2000
> or Unix or something else?).

Most sites are still using NT4 but some have moved to W2K. The central environment is on NT4

> 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).

Ummmmmmmm <blank stare>

>
> 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.

We run some "defence" grade firewalls.

>
> 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.

Cool, I interpret this to mean Citrix is worth investigating further and may be better than PC Anywhere?

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

Sure, I understand I only provided the vaguest of descriptions but if I can get a direction out of this I can refer it to some "experts" to investigate further. Note, I'm seriously considering calling in outside expertise.

>
> 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
>

Most definitely, thanks for the assistance.

> KJP
>

The Raven Received on Sun Dec 01 2002 - 19:59:57 CST