Oracle database runs better on UNIX/Linux or Windows?

[Geetha_1]

We have been running Oracle on HP-UX 11.0 64 bit for over 7 years. Management would like to check into the options of migrating our sytems to Windows Oracle to save cost. What are the advantages/differences of running Oracle on UNIX/Linux vs Windows? Is UNIX/Linux a better platform for Oracle database server than Windows. We are running Oracle 9i Release 2 (9.2.0.7). Thanks. Geetha.

[A. Clay Stephenson]

What a question to ask in an HP-UX forum. First of all, what does "better" mean. Unless you define your terms, meaningful comparisons are impossible. "Better" might be measured in transactions/second or /transactions/sec/$. Better might mean less unplanned downtime/year.

Also, the CPU/OS is only one part of the equation; it also depends upon the underlying disk technologies so tha high-end UNIX boxes typically are connected to high-end disk arrays.

Define your tewrms and this becomes a more meaningful quest. In any event, you are likely to get the least biased opinions if you ask in an Oracle forum.

[inventsekar_1]

i think unix or linux is the better choice.

with windows, u can save money. other factors u need to consider. like, support, very large db size and support for very large file systems or high performance and lot of things u need to plan.

HPUX sure will perform better than linux or windows(this is as per my knowgde).

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom

Unix/Linux

Less GUI overhead. Less built in security flaws.

SEP

[Geoff Wild]

Windows traditionally has more overhead and less capability then running on Unix.

That said - you need to quantify what you mean by "better".

A lot of Unix/Windows questions really come down to support/staff.

Rgds...Geoff

[spex]

Geetha,

On the same hardware, properly-configured HP-UX or Linux will trump a Windows setup. Remember that UNIX was built from the ground up to be a server OS. In Windows, this was an after-thought.

PCS

[Rick Garland]

The majority of the Oracle resources go int osupport on a UNIX/Linux platform - they build on HPUX/Linux platforms and port to other platforms.

Not long ago the Oracle marketing push was "Oracle on Linux - Unbreakable"

[Jeff_Traigle]

I'm sure things have changed somewhat since I took Oracle DBA training back in 1999 under v8.0.5, but I doubt it's been enough to change the statement the instructor made... "Unless you're running a very light-weight database that doesn't need to run all the time, don't even consider running Oracle on Windows." :)

[Geetha_1]

Clay, I mean better in terms in terms of security, reliability, flexibility, scalability, and total cost of ownership. I've been a UNIX admin for over 8 years and think that Oracle on HP-UX is very robust an prefer that we head in the UNIX direction but just wanted to hear some opinions from the rest of the folks.

[Geetha_1]

Thanks for all your responses. Does anyone know of any study/white papers comparing an Oracle Database server on UNIX with that of Windows?
Thx.

[A. Clay Stephenson]

Okay from that perspective then it's pretty much a toss-up between Linux and HP-UX. The skills required to manage either one are comparable; MC/SG is available for either one. The performance should be comparable between the two. There's no doubt that Linux hardware will be cheaper than HP-UX hardware but that's a small cost in the overall scheme of things. The reliability of HP-UX coupled with the Support Agreements are very hard to beat. Every time I do the numbers, HP-UX comes up as the least evil choice when I never want anyone to ask "Is the server up?".

[Geetha_1]

Thanks for all your responses. Does anyone know of any study/white papers comparing an Oracle Database server on UNIX with that of Windows? Management wants some proof.
Thx.

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi Geetha:

Google: oracle unix windows

Regards!

...JRF...

[Steven E. Protter · Accepted solution]

Shalom,

I know you want proof, but I will say having used all 3, HP-UX is the best platform. It comes out more reliable than Linux. My primary job nowadays is Linux, with heavy work in HP-UX Linux integration.

http://searchoracle.techtarget.com/tip/1,289483,sid41_gci908777,00.html

http://www.dba-oracle.com/art_builder_linux_oracle.htm

One for Windows:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/linux/2006/0612linux1.html

This should be a start.

For more go to Dr. Google.

SEP

[Geetha_1]

Steven,
Thanks. I did google and found one of the articles (2nd URL). The last URL helped.
Geetha.

[inventsekar_1]

for reference:

1. HP's 64-Way Superdome-Unix Combo Tops TPC-C Test
http://www.itjungle.com/breaking/bn073103-story05.html

2. Oracle Database Windows/UNIX Differences
http://download-west.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/win.102/b14305/ap_unix.htm#i634381
3. The performance debate: Linux vs Windows
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Murphy/?p=514

"Combine that with Microsoft's general refusal to play in the more complex benchmarks and we can guess who's afraid of who - and it isn't Solaris, Linux, or any other Unix."

4.Oracle, which has never shied away from a street fight with Microsoft (Quote, Chart), says it's software stack combination running on Linux, running on Intel chips is a faster, cheaper alternative to anything out of the Window's camp.
http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/article.php/1498501



http://entmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=5893

READ THIS CAREFULLY:

Hewlett-Packard claimed the top spot in the high-profile TPC-C scalability benchmark "THIS WEEK" with a system running its "HP-UX" 11 operating system and an Oracle database. The feat was accomplished on the same HP Superdome server with 64 Itanium processors that Microsoft used with "WINDOWS" Server 2003 and SQL Server 2000 to claim the top spot on the TPC-C in May.

[Hein van den Heuvel]

If you can not stay with HPUX then I'd lean towards Linux, as the management skills will eb much similar.

The TPC comment just now was interesting, but mentioned SQLserver not Oracle on Windows.

If one goes to TPC.ORG and requests results ordered by DB vendor ( http://www.tpc.org/tpcc/results/tpcc_results.asp?orderby=dbms ) you will spot just 1 entry for Oracle on Windows. All the other entries are Unix systems.That 1 entry (Unisys ES7000 Aries 420 Enterprise Server ) has a parralel entry for Linux several months later with 10% more performance at 10% less cost.

fwiw,
Hein.

[Yogeeraj_1]

Hi Geetha,

You should also take into consideration the size of your database and performance requirements.

above all, run a few tests and see for yourself.

good luck
kind regards
yogeeraj

[Geetha_1]

Thanks Sekar...Good URLs. Thank you all very much. I have plenty of information to present my case! The HP forums have always been my best resource.

Cheers!
Geetha.
PS: We can close this thread.