Oracle World, 23 October 2006 - Fujitsu Siemens Computers today unveiled a new version of FlexFrame for Oracle, a dynamic infrastructure platform that serves as a gateway to service-oriented architecture (SOA).
Designed exclusively for use with Oracle Fusion Middleware and Oracle Database with Real Application Clusters (RAC), FlexFrame for Oracle V1.0B provides connectivity to storage area networks (SANs) via an EMC Celerra gateway.
Because most database environments run on SANs, FlexFrame for Oracle V1.0B provides the ideal environment for database consolidation projects.
A key new feature of FlexFrame for Oracle V1.0B is the Policy Editor, which can be controlled by both workload-based regulations and time-based policies.
The Policy Editor enables the creation of flexible conditions for workload management. For example, many businesses have peak usage times for certain applications such as end-of-month reporting or applications that run overnight. The Policy Editor accounts for these usage times and allocates resources accordingly, boosting overall application performance.
Meanwhile, an increase in computing nodes - from 32 to 128 - makes FlexFrame for Oracle V1.0B more suitable for complex consolidation projects. Additionally, the solution now supports not just Intel-based BX620 blades, but also AMD-based BX630 blades - and various configurations of the two - which enables customers to better leverage their technology investments.
"The essence of FlexFrame for Oracle is its flexibility - and also how that flexibility is applied to the IT infrastructure," says Rui de Oliveira, Product Manager Enterprise Products and Solutions, Fujitsu Siemens Computers.
"This new version adds many useful features that further extend this flexibility and the overall capabilities of the platform. It also creates a stronger platform from which to enter the world of SOA."
FlexFrame: the only end-to-end infrastructure for Oracle Grid Computing
Designed for use with Oracle Fusion Middleware and Oracle Database with Real Application Clusters, and based on the Grid Computing capabilities of Oracle10g, FlexFrame for Oracle enables a new level of flexibility in deploying and maintaining mission-critical applications.
It is designed for any organisation running mission-critical applications whose IT capacity regularly fluctuates due to temporary, resource-consuming business functions such as payroll or month-end closes.
Based on Fujitsu Siemens Computers` Dynamic Data Centre architecture, which facilitates infrastructure flexibility, FlexFrame for Oracle leverages Oracle Grid Computing technology, which allows server, storage, application and processor capacity to be pooled and used as a single resource. What results is a service-oriented architecture (SOA) in which business processes are arranged as IT services. Using dynamic load balancing, these IT services have the ability to request and receive system resources in real-time.
FlexFrame for Oracle brings together pre-configured and certified server, storage, and software components, along with automation, virtualisation and deployment technologies and related services in one grid offering. The combination of Fujitsu Siemens Computers Adaptive Services Control Centre (ASCC) and specific virtualisation technologies coupled with Oracle 10g and Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control Monitoring make this a groundbreaking capability in the Dynamic Data Center.
Grid computing going mainstream
Grid computing turns the conventional attitude to IT resources on its head. Traditionally, applications are installed on their own systems and then wait for their services to be requested. In a grid computing environment, IT components such as applications, storage and processors are dynamically allocated and freed again to serve other requests when they are not being used. This results in a harmony between grid computing and a SOA, where an organisation`s business processes are orchestrated as IT services, any of which may demand system resources that a grid computing environment can allocate dynamically.
Key characteristics of grid computing are the separation of servers from data and the separation of servers from applications. The key technologies for grid include: Virtualisation (no static installation on real components); Dynamic provisioning (mechanisms to allocate resources to tasks); and Automation (of administration and management of the grid resulting in the grid managing itself).
"FlexFrame for Oracle plays a vital role in harnessing the power of grid computing to evolve the IT infrastructure itself," said Sergio Giacoletto, Executive Vice-President, Oracle Europe, Middle East and Africa.
"The recent Oracle Grid Index research showed that Grid Computing is preparing to go mainstream. Our partnership with Fujitsu Siemens Computers is an important strategic part of our commitment to drive that transition."
Availability
FlexFrame for Oracle V1.0B is available immediately from Fujitsu Siemens Computers.
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The Dynamic Data Center (DDC) is a concept for a new-generation hardware and software architecture that focuses on end-user services and service level agreements (SLAs) which enables on-demand computing to become a reality. With the DDC Fujitsu Siemens Computers enables companies to move from system-related tier-IT structures into service-oriented architectures. This means for example that computers and database resources can be dynamically aligned to applications and the result is increased flexibility and reliability, as well as considerable improvement in the cost-effectiveness of the IT infrastructure.
Fujitsu Siemens Computers
Fujitsu Siemens Computers is the leading European IT provider with a strategic focus on next-generation mobility and dynamic data centre products, services and solutions. With a platform and services portfolio of exceptional depth, our offering extends from handhelds through desktops to enterprise-class IT infrastructure solutions and services offerings. Fujitsu Siemens Computers has a presence in all key markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with the services division extending coverage up to 170 countries worldwide. Leveraging the strengths, innovation and global reach of our joint shareholders, Fujitsu Limited and Siemens AG, we make sure we meet the needs of customers: large corporations, small and medium enterprises and private users. To meet international standards for corporate social responsibility, Fujitsu Siemens Computers is a member of the United Nations Global Compact.
For more information on Fujitsu Siemens Computers, please visit www.fujitsu-siemens.com.
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