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Conference ulysse::rdb_vms_competition

Title:	DEC Rdb against the World

Moderator:	HERON::GODFRIND

Created:	Fri Jun 12 1987
Last Modified:	Thu Feb 23 1995
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1348
Total number of notes:	5438

384.0. "Sanity check on Oracle claims" by NWD002::CHASEBR (Brenda Chase @SEO) Sun Jul 09 1989 09:46

    We're at a customer site where we are using ORACLE due to the customer's
    decision to standardize on the product.
    
    We've been getting a message from the Oracle support consultant
    rather consistently that has us concerned... We are running Oracle
    V5.1.22, VMS V5.0 on a VAXcluster.  Occasionally a database on one
    of the nodes will "lock up".  They tell us it's because of a 'problem
    in the VMS distributed lock manager (it doesn't work right)'.  
    We are usually able to correct the problem by restarting the database
    on that node.  (They will always claim that it will require restarting
    on all nodes!)  When we talk about availability of ORACLE v6.0 (that
    will work on the VAXcluster correctly), we're told "sometime in Oct-Dec
    timeframe", and again that this is due to 'a problem in the VMS
    distributed lock manager'.  Their workaround recommendation is to
    use SQL*NET with V6.0 until the cluster stuff works.   
    
    It seems to me that they're doing some DEC-bashing because their
    product doesn't work, and I'm uncomfortable about the SQLNET
    recommendation, since a version of v6.0 that will work on clusters
    is SO late already!  

    These Oracle problems might make it easier for some of us to push
    for RDB.  So, what do you folks familiar with this stuff think?
    
    Brenda

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
384.1	It's Monday, must be a problem with VMS !!! (:-)	SNO78C::BELAKHOV	Oh, my god, it's full of stars.	`Mon Jul 10 1989 01:47`	17
	I do not understand how the VMS Distributed Lock Manager could be affecting ORACLE V5.0. If I remember correctly ORACLE used to say that they do not use the DLM as they found it to be inneficient. Have a look in BROKE::DB_COMPETITIVE_HELP, there are a few technical articles on ORACLE V5.0, and I think one of them says that ORACLE do not use the DLM. I would be very wary of anything ORACLE say about VMS, they do not have a good track record when it comes to telling customers the true nature of ORACLE problems. Keep up the good fight, Michael
384.2	Mis-information	WARBLY::MEAKINS	Clive Meakins	`Mon Jul 10 1989 18:38`	8
	>>> I do not understand how the VMS Distributed Lock Manager could be >>> affecting ORACLE V5.0. If I remember correctly ORACLE used to say >>> that they do not use the DLM as they found it to be inneficient. I believe ORACLE use the DLM purely to transport their own locking information. I have heard ORACLE people answer questions about their use of DLM by saying, yes of course we use DLM. They are not lying, but it's close.
384.3	Did ORACLE SPR it to the VMS folks????	COOKIE::BERENSON	VAX Rdb/VMS Veteran	`Mon Jul 10 1989 19:19`	10
	Have your customer get from ORACLE a copy of the SPR they submitted to Digital and a copy of Digital's response. Then the customer can judge for themselves if its a "VMS Bug" or an ORACLE problem. Rdb/VMS is the most sophisticated user of the VMS DLM around, and we (well, I) aren't aware of any lock manager bugs. You could also place a note in the VMS support conference and ask if VMS is aware of any bug that might be impacting ORACLE.
384.4	What Spr?	DPDMAI::DAVISGB	Uh Oh...another Balloonist!	`Mon Jul 10 1989 20:32`	7
	Any chance we could see a copy of that Oracle SPR posted here? If not, then please send one to me via vaxmail. Thanks, Gil
384.5	If it exists	SNOC02::ANDERSONK	The Unbearable Lightness of Being	`Thu Jul 13 1989 05:43`	4
	I'd suggest to the customer than any claims that ORACLE cares to make should be only accepted if they are written down. Wouldn't it be fun if ORACLE was prepared to malign Digital or Digital's products in writing??? How good are Digitals lawyers ? :-)