Re: Opinions on Unorthodox Server Setup

sdanield_at_yahoo.com wrote:

> My organization has a complex legacy client/server app which we
> normally use in a mission critical environment where it generates a
> good volume of data. In this environment we of course have good
> servers for our Oracle instances, with redundant everything and hot
> and cold backups and all that good stuff.
>
> The idea has arisen to reuse this legacy application in a different
> kind of environment where the data is not as critical, but there may
> be some real benefits in its use there, provided we can keep the costs
> down for the new installation. Keeping the costs down is a major
> driver.
>
> The data in this new environment will not be as critical as it is
> elsewhere in our organization. Really, due to the low volume of data,
> small number of concurrent users (three) and non-critical nature of
> the information, Oracle is really overkill. But reuse of all our
> existing (rich-functionality) code entails keeping it on Oracle (there
> are a lot of dependencies, including lots of server-side PL/SQL).
>
> One idea to help keep the costs down is to not require a server
> machine for the Oracle instance. There will be three client
> workstations (probably XP professional) and on one of these client
> workstations we would install Oracle 9i standard edition. All three
> clients will use this database. Backups would be limited to nightly
> cold backups to a CD-ROM drive.
>
> I kind of think we're putting the cart before the horse here but I'm
> trying to stay neutral. Wanted to know if anyone more technically
> knowledgeable than me would share their opinions with me on this? What
> kinds of problems could we run into (beyond the user turning the
> workstation-server box off at 5pm and the scheduled backup not
> occuring that night)?
>
> Thanks!

Based on what you've written I can't tell whether the most appropriate database tool is 3x5 cards.

Given that the cost of Oracle Standard Edition and SE1 I can not believe you can get any database less expensive than Oracle that isn't just a glorified toy.

-- 
Daniel Morgan
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/ext/certificates/oad/oad_crs.asp
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/ext/certificates/aoa/aoa_crs.asp
damorgan_at_x.washington.edu
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