At OpenWorld 2012, Oracle released details about the latest version of their Exadata system. With greatly increased main and flash memory, the X3 will allow companies to keep most of their databases in memory - rather than out on disk drives. As per other Exadata database machines Intel Xeon Sandy Bridge chips take centre stage.
The server nodes within the Exadata X3 are based on the E5-2690, and now there's 33% more packed into each X3 rack, with each rack holding up to 8 nodes. This move from 6 to 8 core chips have not only boosted peak peforamance figures, but reduced cooling and power needs at the same time - lowering the TCO quite considerably.
The X3 features 4 times the flash memory (22TB) of previous Exadata generations, with much improved response times. This enables the main memory to hold up to 40 TB of compressed user data - using Oracle's hybrid columnar storage algorithm. Cold storage is not forgotten either, with up to 5 PB of disk storage per rack.
The Exadata X3 storage servers' caches are able to sustain 1.5 Million random read I/O operations per second (IOPS) and 1.0 Million random write IOPS. This high performance is also availble to those running Exadata X2 via a forthcoming software update (obviously not to the same levels, the X2 is limited by its flash cache).
For more information on the Exadata X3, please contact us or your BSI Account Manager.