Large Applications : Databases

• Unix is a well-regarded choice for database servers
• But NT has earned a reputation for easier implementation, management, and bulletproof operation
• Unix still has an edge in the number of database server applications available
• In the specific case of Solaris for SPARC, every major database vendor offers a SPARC-targeted server
• However, the performance advantages of the Unix servers are fading
• NT systems equipped with Alpha or Mips CPUs, or even multiple Pentiums, handily outperform SPARC systems (for the same price bracket)
• NT readily finds and supports RAID (Random Array of Inexpensive Drives) disk controllers, redundant power supplies, and hot-swappable drives
• Unix still has history on its side: Corporate IS managers are simply used to putting Unix to work as database servers
• Solaris has demonstrated linear scalability to 64 processors in a system, has databases larger than 5 terabytes, and lets thousands of users connect (according to Sun Microsystems)