Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Virtualization
In March 2013, Oracle released support for the Oracle virtualization solutions on ODAs in software release 2.5. Oracle
has since been enhancing the virtualization capabilities of ODAs with every release. Virtualization on ODAs is a major
business case for the use of ODAs. The Oracle virtual machine implementation on ODAs is currently unique because
the virtualization has been optimized for databases. Expect virtualization to continue to be a major initiative for
Oracle, including enhancing the capabilities on ODAs.
Oracle has simplified the management of ODA virtual machines by implementing VM management in
oakcli
,
including the ability to clone, start, and stop VMs.
oakcli
has been enhanced to import templates. There is no
separate VM manager needed to support virtualization on an ODA.
The ability to “pay as you grow” on the ODA platform means that additional capacity can be available on ODAs
to run nondatabase applications and other infrastructure-support software. Oracle has coined the phrase “Solution
in a Box” for ODA-packaged application solutions. Oracle is porting their software to ODA-specific VM templates.
At the time of this writing, a WebLogic template has been released for ODAs, and a JD Edwards template had been
announced. Additional templates for more Oracle software products are likely to come. Oracle's partners have jumped
on the bandwagon by beginning to develop their own application “solutions in a box.”
The business value proposition to maximize the use of the hardware and to rapidly deploy applications is huge.
Companies of every size often deploy large consulting firms, system integrators, and consulting staffs to deploy
complex software. Deploying applications on ODAs through VM templates offers the promise for major cost savings
through the rapid deployment of standardized images. Oracle has stated that they will be releasing additional ODA
VM templates in the future.
ODA Technical Solutions
ODAs are a technical “solution in a box.” That solution includes a number of major components that you should be
aware of. We introduce those in this section.
The Oracle Appliance Kit (
oakcli
) is a built-in appliance management jack-of-all-trades. The
oakcli
command
reference can be found in MOS 1417879.1, the latest ODA version release notes, and the ODA Getting Started Guide.
The ODA Release Notes and Getting Started Guide are generally more current than the MOS notes. New
oakcli
functionality is released quarterly, so you have to proactively check the quarterly release notes to keep up with the
newest features.
Here are some of the things you can do with
oakcli
:
ODA management
•
•
Deploy an ODA
•
Patch an ODA
•
Create a new database in approximately 15 minutes
•
Create new database software home from the current ODA release
•
Delete databases and database homes
•
Run a complete check of the system
•
Run a disk calibration
•
Configure and test ASR (Automatic Service Request)
•
Display the hardware details and versions
