Understanding Linux x86_64 and database requirements

[Don Vanco - Linux Ninja]

Can someone explain why you have to run Oracle on 64-bit Linux (yet still install the underlying PostgreSQL components)

??

I've got a customer evaluating Blades and they've installed SIM v5.1 on a RHEL 64-bit server using ONLY PostgreSQL, and while it is working, there are some annomalies (e.g. - can't seem to get command line tools working - starting a "df" just leaves the process hanging forever)
Also - events are not sending emails as expected (we've tested the Blade OAs with the same mail config data and they work fine)

So, I'm trying to determine if this is worth investigating further or if I need to be adamant and simply say that I can't help unless they run on a 32-bit server or install an Oracle DB

Also - can the "free" version of Oracle (Express) be used? The docs say 10g so I assume it's a "no", but the docs make no clear contrary statement.

TIA
Don

[Don Vanco - Linux Ninja]

Answering my own question here:

From an HP "Senior Infrastructure Architect" -
PostgreSQL (is) the default for SIM on 32 bit linux and x64 and that Oracle (is) required for ia64. If you have Oracle for x86 or x86064 you can use this, but if you just download SIM and install it from the media you will get postgreSQL.

Some additional notes from folks within my organization that deal with SIM/*NIX a lot:

SIM management in mixed *NIX/Windows environments:
It is suggested that if there is to be a mix of Windows and UNIX machines that a SIM server for EACH is utilized. Reasons include -
- scripting - the SIM server has the ability to evoke certain functions on the managed servers. As I understand it this is typically not a "clean" process between the 2 environments
- Plug-ins - may not function as expected when managed via the "opposite" platform
- SNMP standards - again, as I understand it, one of these 2 environments doesn't adhere to stringent SNMP standards and data may not appear as expected

SIM on Linux and supported databases:
SIM on Linux can use either PostgreSQL or Oracle.
- the architecture is irrelevant, however a 64-bit OS must use the 64-bit version of the PostgreSQL packages
- the PostgreSQL packages should be installed by the SIM installer (NOT as part of the OS install or "manually" post-install).
- Oracle is fully optional until there are (near) 1000 managed servers or on Itanium


Should someone from HP wish to refute any of this please do so, but this thread appears to have gone largely unnoticed to this point.... In 2 hours on the phone with HP I couldn't even get a body that knew what SIM was.....