Conference ulysse::rdb_vms_competition

923.0. "SQL*NET over slow links" by MJBOOT::WEINBROM (Jack of all trades-Master of none) Wed May 01 1991 19:17

    I am looking for some feedback on Oracle's SQL*NET from anyone who has
    used it in a distributed environment over slow links.  
    
    I am a resident at customer that has Oracle (we lost the battle, but
    the war isn't over yet).  They have an application on a MV2000 on which
    they currently run both the SQL*FORMS and SQL*REPORT programs AND the
    database.
    
    When they went to version 6.x of Oracle, performance degraded
    drastically due to memory shortages (the MV2000 had 6 MB).  Due to
    budgetary constraints, the Commonwealth of Pennsylavnia is in no
    position to allow the Department to purchase more memory.
    
    The resident from Oracle's solution was SQL*NET with the application on
    the MV2000 and the data on the central VAXcluster.  This supports his
    agenda.  The remote system will be connected via an asynchronous 9600
    baud DECnet link.  The remote system is located in a state park and the
    telephone circuits are none too reliable.  Either way, the MV2000 will
    be connected to the network.  The issue is whether or not SQL*NET will
    be used.
    
    I recommended tuning the MV2000 rather then SQL*NET.  With less than 5
    minutes worth of effort, I cut response time 50% and freed up 2 MB of
    memory.  I have suggested more tuning which I believe will eventually
    bring the performance back into line with Oracle V5.x.
    
    Does anyone have a feel for the issues involved with the proposed
    configuration of SQL*NET?  I have brought up the following issues:
    
    	1. The link will be slowwww (rather like my access to this notes
    	   file).  What I don't have a feel for is how often Oracle will
    	   "have to go to the database".  Since each round trip will be
    	   approximately 1-2 seconds, if Oracle goes to the database more
    	   than once during the form, performance will be unacceptable.
    
    	   We will be benchmarking this part of the environment.
    
    	2. The telephone circuits to this state park are unreliable.  I
    	   believe that the downtime will be a problem.  Unfortunately, 
    	   this isn't registering with my audience.  Oracle's solution
    	   is to use 2400 baud asynchronous SQL*NET (whatever that is)
    	   whenever the 9600 baud dedicated line goes out.  (The 2400baud
    	   lines very noisy!  Go figure!)
    
    
    Steve
    
    $ SET FLAME/ON
    
    Oracle advertises "Convert it once (ed: to Oracle) and never again!".
    Judging by what is going one here, upgrading from Oracle version 5.x to
    6.x and SQL*FORMS 2.x to  3.x IS apparently a major conversion � la
    IBM.  
    
    $ SET FLAME/OFF

    Steve,
    
    You mention they have no money, thus they can not buy memory. Do they
    already have SQL*NET? It is not free.

    They've already purchased it along with SQL*MENU, SQL*FORMS, the
    reportwriter, TPS and a few other items.  McDonnell-Douglas primed the
    deal and Digital rode in on their coattails.  McDonnel-Douglas is now
    out but it would be politcally unacceptable for them to back down from
    Oracle.  (before you ask...)
    
    The MV2000 has these products as does a VAX 8550 and 2 VAX 6440's in a
    VAXcluster.  The price of the Oracle software exceeded the total
    Digital hardware and software cost of the MV2000 + 1 LN03r + 1 DS200 +
    5 PCSA DEPCA boards and software.
    
    In case you're curious, although I don't have the figures at my
    disposal, the cost of the Oracle software on the 2 VAX 6440's was
    equally impressive.  Recently, they considered licensing CASE*DESIGNER
    on the VAX 8550, but its cost was $500,000 list (that's no typo, it's
    five hundred thousand dollars).  They asked instead for a quote for 4
    workstations with the software.
    
    

    Ok, At the risk of being shot by the person, who's name I'm going to
    mention in the next scentence, here's a name you may wish to contact.
    
    In France, a client/server test has been done with Oracle using various
    communication links under SQL*Net (LAN downto 9600 Baud), results are
    amazing (25-40% overhead in best case!). Contact Jean Michel Craye @BDP
    for details.