The Oracle Database Appliance (ODA) is referred to as an “always on” database system specifically optimised for one of the world’s leading databases. The ODA integrates software and network resources to deliver solutions, operating continually despite the case of component failure. This extremely simple system can be organised and operated, achieving endless accessibility in the event of component failure. Component failures are indicated and configured upon redundancy, addressing single point failures in the system. ODA aims to meet all organisations needs from single-instance appliances for reduced workloads to clustered high-availability appliances that can maintain both database and application workloads.

The ODA is recognised for being time and cost-effective providing database solutions for an extensive range of custom and packaged online transaction processing (OLTP), in-memory databases and data warehousing applications. With all hardware and software components engineered and supported by Oracle, flexible database licensing opportunities help minimise operational expenses linked to maintenance and support. Further providing a reliable and secure system with built in automation and the best practices.

The ODA is used primarily for Database server deployment. It’s engineered specifically to work with Oracle databases and middleware. It uses Oracle proprietary hardware to deliver optimised database performance, enabling more cost-effective hardware and database deployment than you’d get from alternative hardware vendors by comparison. They are used for mid to large database environments or to consolidate multiple database workloads. They provide Oracle supported failover and DR capability so are often used for High Availability and DR scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should my company choose ODAs?

There are a number of reasons for choosing the Oracle Database Appliance (ODA):

  • It’s an integrated and “one vendor” package for delivering rapid Oracle database deployment.
  • Its performance and reliability are underpinned by common Oracle technology – there’s no need to develop multi-vendor software stacks.
  • There are several Oracle Software licensing routes that the ODA provides cost-effective options for.
  • It’s a relatively low cost / high performance route to optimised Oracle performance and gateway to Oracle Cloud services.

What are the business benefits of the ODA?

  • Ease and speed of deployment (“time to value”)
  • Oracle optimised performance
  • Relative low-cost compared to alternative hardware options
  • Single vendor management and support route
  • Oracle Software Licensing consolidation options

What are the size and type of organisation that will adopt them?

Due to the level of investment in ODAs (typically around £50k per server plus any licensing costs) the market is typically mid to large sized organisations, much as the footprint is for Oracle’s Enterprise Software portfolio. It will be effective where smaller businesses with Oracle dedicated functions are looking at hardware options but typically the ODA sits a rung down from the Exadata FTSE500 Oracle users. That said, it’s proving its value as a direct replacement for Exadata in some circumstances.

What do we dsp do in terms of migration and implementation?

DSP can provide Oracle technical services to deliver ODA installation, configuration and maintenance. We also offer commercial options to purchase the ODA systems as well as the accompanying Oracle Software and OS licensing requirements.

In addition to the hardware, there is normally a requirement to migrate any existing Oracle workloads from older hardware on to the new ODA. DSP will provide services to architect, manage and move those databases both technically and commercially as we consolidate any old licensing agreements in the process.