Oracle Database Appliance allows you to have a platform for your Oracle Database that is easy to deploy, and gives you a head start in virtualization, too. You get to save time because you are getting the whole package complete with server, storage, software and networking. This means that you will not be spending too much time trying to evaluate each component of your database. What’s more, you also get an appliance that is a breeze to deploy, support and maintain.
In a short time, you will gain a highly available system that is just perfect for your data warehousing or online transaction processing database needs. As you use it, you will appreciate the one-button installation and the integrated diagnostics and patching of the entire stack, which allows you to reduce the downtimes, whether planned or unplanned.
And because it is from Oracle, you are assured of the best in class software and hardware. For instance, you are not using just any storage or server, but one that is protected by Oracle Real Application Clusters and Oracle Automatic Storage Management. Software licensing is on a capacity on demand basis, helping you bring down costs and gives you the flexibility to pay only what you need, while giving you the chance to grow your business at the soonest possible time. You can upgrade anytime you want without having to advance your hardware.
Furthermore, you have a quick to deploy, highly available and complete solution to serve as your virtualization platform. Oracle Database Appliance is built on Oracle VM.
It seems that buying a database platform such as Oracle Database Appliance is simply the best solution for you if you are looking to work with the best software and hardware around. But there is another option, and that is to build your database from scratch. There are some merits to this approach, namely:
- Being able to avoid vendor lock in. With Oracle Database Appliance, you would be working with software and hardware from Oracle. Vendor lock in sounds like a dirty word in the software industry because the company providing you with the software might fold up leaving you with absolutely no support for your investments. But if you think about it, if you are working with a stable company like Oracle, then this should not be a worry for you.
- Being able to save on the upfront costs for the hardware and the software. There are systems out there that are more affordable. However, you have to know what you are doing in order to properly evaluate the different components that your database needs. Plus, if you need to extend your system, you might find yourself spending more.
If you need to figure out whether Oracle Database Appliance is perfect for you or whether you could get a better deal by building your database from the ground up, then you should talk to Four Cornerstone. We have a team of Oracle certified experts that can help you figure out what is best for you and your database depending on what you need.
Photo courtesy of Jared Cherup.
