Re: ORACLE AND UNIX QUESTION

Gunther Birznieks (birznie_at_aplcenmp.apl.jhu.edu) wrote:
: Question: Is Oracle limited to using Operating system files for its
: databases on UNIX? Or can you use RAW PARTITIONS to store data on a UNIX
: Box such as a Sun Sparcstation running Solaris.

Most versions of Oracle now support raw file i/o, including definitely the Solaris port. Beware several caveats, principally that growth and movement of extents must occur on a fixed-size basis because the datafile is always identical in size to the raw file. Oracle customer support has written one white paper discouraging raw i/o usage because of admin headaches - they recommend an experienced Unix guru to complement the DBA. And they make the case that most apps are cpu-bound and thus gain nothing from 30% faster raw i/o. But some sites obviously can use & do need raw i/o.

• Chris

: Thanks,
 

: Gunther
 

-- 
 - Chris