Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer: A Brief Overview
The article on Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer (ExaC@C) provides an in-depth understanding of this unique database service. It offers customer control and Oracle management, bringing unparalleled database performance into your data center.
Read our 10-step plan for how to migrate to Oracle Cloud at customer solutions.
Key Insights:
- Technical Architecture: ExaC@C consists of Oracle Exadata Database Servers and Storage Servers, interconnected via a high-speed, low-latency RDMA fabric network. Currently, Gen2 is the latest platform.
- Licensing Options: ExaC@C provides flexible licensing options, including a complete package or using your existing Oracle Database software licenses.
- Supported Database Editions and Versions: ExaC@C supports various Oracle Database software releases, including Oracle Database 19c, 12c Release 1 and 2, and 11g Release 2.
- Pros and Cons: ExaC@C offers benefits such as colocation and reduced capital expenditure but also comes with challenges like a minimum four-year contract commitment and potential scalability issues.
- Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer: A Detailed Exploration
- What's in the Exadata C@C Box?
- Breaking Down the Exadata Technical Architecture
- Additional Infrastructure Components Managed by Oracle
- What is Oracle Exadata?
- Licensing Options for Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer
- Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer: Supported Database Editions and Versions
- Exadata Cloud at Customer: Pros and Cons
- Faqs on Exadata Cloud at Customer
- How Can Redress Compliance Help
- Expert advice on Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer.
Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer: A Detailed Exploration
Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer, known to the tech-savvy as ExaC@C, is a unique offering in database services. It’s part of the more extensive Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, providing autonomous and co-managed Oracle Database solutions.
The essence of this service lies in its perfect blend of customer control and Oracle management.
What’s in the Exadata C@C Box?
When you delve into Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer, you uncover a treasure trove of features:
- Integrated system: ExaC@C integrates the prowess of Oracle Exadata and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. It brings this stellar combination right into your data center while Oracle retains the responsibility of managing the Exadata infrastructure.
- Performance and scalability: You get full access to Oracle Database features and the remarkable performance and scalability of Oracle Exadata.
- Manageable through Oracle Cloud Infrastructure console: The management of ExaC@C is akin to other cloud resources. You can use Oracle Cloud Infrastructure’s console and APIs, maintaining total sovereignty over your data.
Breaking Down the Exadata Technical Architecture
Delving deeper into the technical architecture of ExaC@C, it is constituted of several interconnected components:
- Oracle Exadata Database Servers and Storage Servers are interconnected via a high-speed, low-latency RDMA fabric network and intelligent Oracle Exadata software.
- Virtual Machine Technology: This separates the customer-managed and Oracle-managed components on each database server. While you have root privilege for the Exadata database server VMs, the physical database server hardware is administered by Oracle.
- Oracle Exadata Storage Servers: These servers handle database storage, allocated to disk groups managed by Oracle Automatic Storage Management (Oracle ASM). You have full admin access to Oracle ASM disk groups, while Oracle manages the Exadata Storage Server hardware and software.
Additional Infrastructure Components Managed by Oracle
In addition to the database server hardware and Exadata Storage Servers, Oracle manages other infrastructure components of ExaC@C. This includes network switches, power distribution units (PDUs), and integrated lights-out management (ILOM) interfaces.
What is Oracle Exadata?
Oracle Exadata is a database machine, an integrated system designed by Oracle Corporation. It is primarily intended to host Oracle Database and aims to deliver optimized performance, scalability, and reliability compared to traditional database deployment methods.
It’s worth noting that Oracle Exadata is not a standalone database. Instead, it’s a combination of hardware and software that works in unison to enhance the capabilities of the Oracle Database.
It includes a blend of servers, storage, networking, and software, all optimized to work together seamlessly.
While Oracle Exadata is widely recognized for its high performance and efficiency, it’s essential to understand that these benefits depend on various factors, including specific workloads, configurations, and management practices.
Like any technological solution, its effectiveness ultimately hinges on its alignment with the specific needs and context of the organization using it.
Licensing Options for Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer
When licensing Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer, you’re offered flexibility that suits your organization’s unique needs.
Here’s a snapshot of the options available:
- Complete Package: If you opt for a full subscription to ExaC@C, it includes all necessary Oracle Database software licenses.
- Bring Your Licenses: Alternatively, you can utilize Oracle Database software licenses you already own.
You can access an all-inclusive package by incorporating Oracle Database software licenses into your ExaC@C subscription. This comprehensive bundle includes the following:
- All features of Oracle Database Enterprise Edition
- All database enterprise management packs
- All Enterprise Edition options, such as Oracle Database In-Memory and Oracle Real Application Clusters (Oracle RAC)
In addition, ExaC@C comes equipped with cloud-specific software tools to aid you in administrative tasks. Whether it’s backup, recovery, or patching, these tools make the process a breeze. Thus, Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer offers a flexible, comprehensive licensing model tailored to your requirements.
Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer: Supported Database Editions and Versions
Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer extends support to various Oracle Database software releases. Here’s the rundown of what’s compatible:
- Oracle Database 19c (19. x): Fully supported with ExaC@C.
- Oracle Database 12c Release 2 (12.2.0.1): Supported for approved customers only, making it a selectively available option.
- Oracle Database 12c Release 1 (12.1.0.2): Supported, but with a catch. If you create or update a 12.1.0.2 database with an RU later than July 2022, you need a valid Market Driven Support (MDS) contract.
- Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.4): This version is supported, but if you’re creating or updating an 11.2.0.4 database with a PSU later than April 2021, you also need a valid MDS contract.
Exadata Cloud at Customer: Pros and Cons
Oracle’s Exadata Cloud at Customer (ExaCC) brings the power of Exadata into your data center. With this solution, Oracle deploys and manages the infrastructure, including monitoring, patching, and troubleshooting, right on your premises.
This setup provides access to Oracle Cloud service offerings with the underlying infrastructure running on Exadata on-site.
To further understand the potential advantages and drawbacks of ExaCC, let’s break them down:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Colocation: ExaCC meets business requirements that mandate data to reside on a company’s premises, catering to needs for low latency connections or regulatory requirements. | Lock-in: Customers must commit to a minimum four-year contract with Oracle to provide on-site hardware. |
| Autonomous Database: Oracle’s Autonomous database, a service offered on Oracle Cloud, can be deployed using ExaCC. | Lock-in: Customers must commit to a minimum four-year contract with Oracle to provision the hardware on-site. |
| Reduced Capital Expenditure: Since Oracle owns the Exadata systems with ExaCC, the customer pays a subscription for the service used, potentially reducing costs compared to owning and managing Exadata on-site. | Availability: While on-premises Exadata systems have built-in redundancy, they cannot match the high availability of Exadata systems deployed on Oracle’s public cloud. |
| Service Encapsulation: Oracle remotely patches hardware components in a rolling fashion, preserving service availability throughout the updating process. | Costing Strategy: Customers pay a fixed monthly payment for Exadata infrastructure usage, plus payments for hourly OCPU consumption, which might result in a larger bill compared to an ExaCS deployment. |
Faqs on Exadata Cloud at Customer
What is Oracle Exadata cloud at customer?
Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer, also known as ExaCC, is a service provided by Oracle that brings together the power of Exadata with the flexibility of the cloud. It enables you to leverage Oracle Cloud Infrastructure services within your own data center, ensuring you maintain complete control over your data.
Which database versions are supported by Exadata cloud at customer?
Exadata Cloud at Customer support a variety of Oracle Database software releases, including Oracle Database 19c, Oracle Database 12c Release 1 and 2 (for approved customers only), and Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (with certain contract requirements).
When customers are using the Exadata cloud service, what are they responsible for?
Customers are responsible for managing their databases, including Oracle Database, Oracle Grid Infrastructure, and Oracle Exadata system software. They also have administrative access to Oracle Automatic Storage Management (Oracle ASM) disk groups. However, they do not have administrative access to the physical server hardware, which Oracle administers.
Which security measure is implemented out of the box Exadata cloud at customer?
Exadata Cloud at Customer implements various security measures out of the box. It uses virtual machine technology to separate customer-managed and Oracle-managed components on each database server, ensuring a robust security infrastructure. Additionally, Oracle administers the Exadata hardware, adding an extra layer of security.
What is the benefit of Oracle Cloud at customer?
Oracle Cloud at Customer allows organizations to reap the benefits of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure while maintaining data sovereignty in their own data center. This satisfies regulatory compliance needs and enables low-latency connections between applications and databases.
What is the difference between Oracle and Exadata?
Oracle is a multinational corporation that offers a variety of software and hardware solutions, while Exadata is a specific product created by Oracle. Exadata is a database machine designed to provide superior performance and efficiency for running Oracle Database.
How many VMs are in Exadata?
The number of VMs in an Exadata system can vary based on the configuration and the customer’s requirements. Each Exadata system contains Oracle Exadata Database Servers and Oracle Exadata Storage Servers, which can host multiple VMs
Is Oracle Exadata also available in the public cloud?
Yes, Oracle Exadata is available on the cloud. Oracle offers services like Exadata Cloud Service and Exadata Cloud at Customer, allowing users to leverage the power of Exadata in a cloud environment. These services provide the same features of on-premises Exadata but with the added flexibility and scalability of the cloud.
What are the costs involved?
You need to pay for the hardware for four years (fixed). The HW costs are approx 100k $ for a quarter rack. The Universal Cloud Credits will be the high cost, and that is based on annual commitment and your assumed consumption.
If we are an existing Oracle customer, how to manage the support?
Either you plan the migration to happen before your support renewal is due. Oracle is often willing to offer a 6-month renewal instead of a 12-month renewal.
What are the major challenges with Oracle cloud at customer?
The major challenge is Oracle. Let them assess how much cloud and what type of server you will need. In every scenario we come across, they always oversize and over-commit. You need to have an independent consultant assessing and helping you with the right solution. Highly recommend your read our blueprint guide.
What is the cost Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer?
It depends on what type of hardware you need (starting from 100k $ a year) upwards. Software (cloud) services usually cost 2x the cost of the hardware. To avoid overpaying, you need to follow our recommendations.
Which are the main competitors to Oracle Cloud at Customer?
There is no competitor in our eyes, as no competitor can allow you to run Oracle cloud services except this solution. The competition may if you want to run non Oracle workloads.
Which Industries can benefit of Oracle Cloud at Customer
Any Industry can benefit; so far, we see Telco, Finance, and other industries where regulation prevents Public Cloud migration and other industries such as Retail, Automotive, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and E-commerce. Much depends on your specific requirements.
How Can Redress Compliance Help
Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer Migration and Implementation:
- Assessment & Planning: Our team starts by comprehensively analyzing your current infrastructure, database systems, and business requirements to create a detailed roadmap for migrating to Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer.
- Design & Architecture: We design a robust, scalable, and secure Exadata Cloud at Customer architecture tailored to your business needs, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
- Database Migration: We handle the seamless migration of your existing databases to the new Exadata Cloud at the Customer environment, minimizing downtime and ensuring data integrity.
- Infrastructure Setup: Our experts set up the necessary infrastructure within your data center for Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer, including network configuration, storage setup, and compute resources.
- System Configuration: We configure your Oracle Exadata Cloud at the Customer system, including Oracle Exadata Database Servers and Oracle Exadata Storage Servers, to optimize performance.
- Security Implementation: We implement stringent security measures, including virtual machine (VM) technology, to separate customer-managed and Oracle-managed components, ensuring your data remains secure at all times.
- Performance Tuning: We fine-tune your Oracle Exadata Cloud at the Customer system for optimal performance, leveraging Exadata’s intelligent performance features.
- Testing: We perform extensive testing to validate that all migrated databases and applications work correctly in the new environment and are fully optimized.
- Training: Our team provides hands-on training to your IT staff on managing and maintaining your new Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer system, empowering them to handle day-to-day operations efficiently.
- Ongoing Support: We offer ongoing technical support post-migration, ensuring your Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer system operates smoothly and efficiently.
Expert advice on Oracle Exadata Cloud at Customer.
