What to expect from Oracle Exadata Database Machine
Oracle Exadata Database Machine combines hardware and software to enable analytics, batch, reporting and other tasks to run simultaneously within and across databases.
Oracle Exadata Database Machine combines scale-out compute and storage servers, InfiniBand networking, and specialized software packaged in one or more hardware racks, with various sizing options. Oracle Database 12c running on Exadata provides a complete platform for high-performance, scalable data warehousing.
Exadata with Oracle Database 12c provides optimized performance, scalability and storage for data warehouses, as well as online transaction processing (OLTP) and mixed workloads. Oracle Database 12c provides key data warehouse capabilities such as parallel execution, columnar in-memory processing, resource management for concurrent workloads, a broad set of analytic SQL capabilities, embedded online analytical processing (OLAP) functionality, and advanced data management with partitioning and compression.
A breakdown of the key features
As a complete engineered system, Oracle Exadata Database Machine comprises compute, storage and networking components, combined with Oracle Database software. Exadata Storage Servers and software provide the major functionality within Oracle Exadata.
Features such as Smart Scan (SQL offload to storage), InfiniBand connectivity, Hybrid Columnar Compression, Smart Flash Cache and I/O Resource Management have been engineered to optimize data warehousing and analytics workloads. As an added benefit, Oracle Exadata is also enhanced for OLTP and mixed workloads, making it a suitable platform for hybrid transactional/analytical processing and the consolidation of all Oracle Database workloads.
Exadata data warehouses may be further augmented through Oracle Big Data SQL integration with the Oracle Big Data Appliance. Oracle Big Data SQL unites information from a Hadoop Distributed File System with information from an Oracle Exadata data warehouse through a common SQL query.
Oracle Exadata Cloud Service is also available; it provides the same capabilities available in the on-premises version. This enables customers to migrate to the cloud easily and operate in hybrid environments.
Organizations with less demanding performance and scalability requirements may find other Oracle offerings suitable for their data warehouse systems. One option would be Oracle Database Appliance, which also runs Oracle Database 12c or Oracle Database Cloud Service.
Exadata compute servers use Oracle x86 servers with Intel Xeon processors and the Oracle Linux operating system to run Oracle Database software. Oracle Exadata storage servers perform block storage functions and also run Exadata Storage Server Software to offload data-intensive database processing into storage, closest to the data.
Licensing, pricing and support for Exadata
Oracle Database12c and Exadata are sold through all of the company's channels globally, including its direct sales and partner networks.
The Oracle Exadata data warehousing platform comprises Exadata and Exadata Storage Server Software. Additional options for the Oracle Database Enterprise Edition, which come at an additional price, include partitioning, Real Application Clusters, database in-memory, advanced analytics and OLAP.
Exadata and Exadata Storage Server Software are available via multiple acquisition models, including perpetual licenses, Oracle Cloud subscription licensing and on-premises subscriptions. Oracle Database software and database options software are available via perpetual and term licenses and Oracle Cloud subscription licensing.
Free proof-of-concept trials of Oracle Exadata are available in Oracle's global Solution Centers, and free on-site trials are available on a case-by-case basis. Various partners have trial programs for Exadata to augment Oracle's resources.
There are several support options available for the Oracle Exadata Database Machine, including premier support contracts for both hardware and software. Hardware premier support is currently 12% of the license fee per year, including operating system support.
Oracle Exadata is also eligible for Oracle Platinum Services, which includes 24/7 fault monitoring, accelerated response and system patching services at no additional cost. Oracle Database and options software support is currently priced at 22% of the license fee per year. Support is included in Oracle Cloud or on-premises subscriptions.
