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Stratus fault-tolerant ftServer systems running Microsoft SQL Server 2008 database software, offer unmatched platform availability and simplicity of operation. These attributes combined with low acquisition and operational costs make this the ideal solution for critical distributed and mid-sized database applications. The ftServer/SQL Server advantage is especially apparent when compared against Oracle high-availability solutions.
SQL Server 2008 on ftServer systems: security, scalability and reliability at its best
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Figure 1: An unbeatable choice: the ftServer / SQL server 2008 database solution
Customers can have confidence in SQL Server on ftServer for local provisioning of database servers with exceptional uptime, rapid asynchronous data mirroring for disaster recovery, rolling upgradestyle patch management with minimal operational impact, and for any database application where underlying hardware with near-six nines availability is the preferred choice. - Claude Lorenson Director SQL Server Marketing Microsoft Corp
Availability
Single-system configuration
Performance
Affordability
Security
Manageability
SQL Server 2008 on ftServer systems: security, scalability and reliability at its best
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drivers and the elimination of transient errors that can propagate to the OS or application extend Stratus comprehensive uptime protection from the hardware to the application layer. In datacenter environments where clustering infrastructure and expertise already exist, ftServer systems can function as critical nodes within a multi-node, Windows cluster. Fault-tolerant ftServer nodes ride through hardware failures. This makes them ideal host platforms for critical applications that cannot tolerate the failover time and loss of uncommitted data inherent in the failure of normal cluster nodes. Examples of database environments that are affected by downtime of even a few seconds include credit authorization, process monitoring and control, financial trading, real-time medical and security applications, and many others. Data replication While fault-tolerant servers or failover clustering can be used to protect against hardware or software failures, a site-related failure can still cause application disruption for extended periods. SQL Server 2008 includes built-in data replication that allows data to be sent to a disaster-recovery site in real time. This feature enables processing to continue with minimal disruption in the event of a primary site failure. Disaster and primary site configurations do not have to match. Businesses can elect to use fault-tolerant servers, failover clusters or standard servers based on application criticality and financial resources.
Oracle high-availability
Oracle has traditionally been a popular choice for critical database applications. Oracle offers two highavailability clustering solutions: Oracle Clusterware and RAC (Real Application Clusters). In a Clusterware configuration, only a single database instance is active at one time. Failure of the server running the active database requires a cold start of the database software on a second server. In addition to Clusterware, there are several third-party clustering solutions including Microsoft Failover Clustering that can be used to provide traditional failover clustering for Oracle database. Oracle positions RAC as its premier high-availability database solution. RAC offers both high-availability and scalable performance along with faster failover times than Clusterware. RAC runs multiple active database copies on multiple servers simultaneously. If the server running one of the database instances fails, the other instances pick up the workload after a short delay typically less than one minute. While this results in faster recovery time, the benefits are quickly eclipsed by the high degree of complexity involved in installing and managing a RAC solution. RAC introduces additional performance considerations that require significant knowledge and experience to understand and address. Oracle 11g Standard and Enterprise editions include Clusterware. RAC is also included in Standard Edition but is a significant extra cost option for Enterprise Edition.
SQL Server 2008 on ftServer systems: security, scalability and reliability at its best
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Uptime that protects against data corruption and loss Stratus failure prevention technologies eliminate the downtime inherent in cluster failover. These faulttolerant servers also eliminate the need for additional hardware, extensive testing and complex administrative procedures required by Oracle Clusterware and RAC implementations. Combined with SQL Server software reliability, ftServer platforms offer database availability advantages that are unmatched by Oracle clustering solutions. The same technologies that keep ftServer systems running at nearly six-nines uptime also address another potential vulnerability of database implementations corruption. While no computer system can prevent a transient error from occurring, Stratus fault-tolerant systems detect, isolate, and withstand transient errors as well as hard errors. In clusters and typical server configurations, these errors can be propagated to the operating system, middleware, or application software where they can cause silent data corruption. Stratus hardened device driver technology averts software failures caused by driver errors, another common cause of database corruption. This embedded open-driver technology allows qualified third-party device drivers to take advantage of hardened-driver capabilities without the need to modify existing driver code. Simple installation and management SQL Server provides sophisticated installation tools, consolidated administration with SQL Server Management Studio, a full GUI as well as scripting capability, and policy-based management that make SQL Server easier to install and manage than Oracle. ftServer systems provide a single-server installation and management model that eliminates the additional, complex and error-prone installation and management steps that are required by Oracle clustering. Built-in serviceability Every ftServer system comes equipped with built-in automated ActiveService capabilities that take the guesswork out of troubleshooting and repair. The system itself diagnoses, isolates and reports hardware and software issues to Stratus worldwide 24/7 service organization. Our follow-the-sun service model ensures mission-critical service and support for SQL Server database solutions. Stratus is a gold-certified Microsoft partner and takes first-call responsibility for the ftServer hardware, Windows operating system and SQL Server 2008 database software. Application transparency Application development for SQL Server applications can utilize Microsofts industry-leading development tools including Visual Studio and ADO.net. And ftServer systems with SQL Server are totally transparent to applications, unlike Oracle RAC that introduces application design issues and custom APIs that can affect application design and development. Third-party applications may not work well with Oracle RAC if they were not specifically designed for RAC. Superior security SQL Server provides robust security features at no additional cost, compared to Oracles extra cost Advanced Security option. The National Vulnerability Database, managed by the National Institute of Science and Technology, reports a significant number of vulnerabilities for Oracle, versus none for SQL Server. And Oracles patch management process is so difficult that Computerworld reports that two-thirds of Oracle DBAs do not apply security patches.
Financial advantage The final, and for many users, the most significant advantage of ftServer systems and SQL Server compared to high-availability Oracle, is cost. For example, comparing a configuration consisting of a Stratus ftServer 4500 system with SQL Server Standard Edition to a two node cluster with Oracle SQL Server 2008 on ftServer systems: security, scalability and reliability at its best
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Standard Edition shows the Oracle high-availability solution to be 70% more expensive. The difference is even greater when comparing configurations using the Enterprise Editions of SQL Server and Oracle. An Oracle Enterprise Edition high-availability cluster solution using Clusterware alone is 200% more expensive than an ftServer 6300 system with SQL Server Enterprise Edition. Using RAC, Oracles recommended high-availability solution, will drive costs more than 300% higher than a Stratus/Microsoft solution. The cost difference becomes even more apparent when considering the many features that are included in SQL Server but are extra cost options in Oracle. For example, database mirroring, table and index partitioning, data warehousing and data mining, spatial data and development support, advanced security and Microsoft Office integration are all included in SQL Server Enterprise Edition. In contrast, all of these features are extra cost options in Oracle Enterprise Edition.
Stratus, the Stratus logo, ftServer, the ftServer logo and Continuous Processing are registered trademarks, and the Stratus Technologies logo, and Active Upgrade are trademarks of Stratus Technologies Bermuda Ltd. Microsoft SQL Server and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries/regions. Intel and Xeon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries/regions. Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
SQL Server 2008 on ftServer systems: security, scalability and reliability at its best
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